05/04/06 WDFW/WCA grazing research II

WDFW-WCA Grazing Research II Yesterday I told you about a new cooperative grazing program between Washington Cattlemen's Association members and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. I'm Jeff Keane; today I'll tell you where and how the program is implemented. The first grazing permit for this WDFW-WCA pilot program is the Pintler Creek Allotment in extreme Southeastern Washington. A grazing committee consisting of Fish and Wildlife personnel with Washington Cattlemen's Association members and executives chose the site. Bob Dice, area land manager for Fish and Wildlife conducted bird, plant, and wildlife surveys on the 4000-acre allotment while cattlemen developed a grazing plan for that specific pasture. On April 15th of this year an area cattleman turned a group of cows and calves on the allotment for a planned, six- week grazing period. The cattle will then be removed and data can be gathered and analyzed while the grazing plan can be refined to meet the future biological needs of this ground. A continued successful program could provide additional income for Department lands, while cattlemen can show that grazing is not just a "turn the cattle out and let them eat" operation, but a planned harvest of a renewable resource. This endeavor by the two groups is not only a one year program as evidenced by the fact that preparations are in place to create a plan for an additional allotment next year. I can only applaud the commitment of the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Cattlemen's Association on this research. I'm Jeff Keane.