Indiana CSP Enhancement Supplemental Information

ANM09 –Grazing Management to Improve Wildlife Habitat

(15-1General and 16-1 Renewals)

  • “Nesting/fawning season” = April 1 through August 1.
  • Rest periods will be a minimum of 60 days between grazing periods. Longer periods will provide more shelter and diversity of height for wildlife cover and habitat. More paddocks and or additional use of temporary fencing aids extending the rest periods. Animal numbers may need to be reduced to maintain adequate wildlife cover.
  • Mowing for hay is not permitted with this enhancement on any enrolled acres.
  • Brush mowing to control noxious or invasive species is permitted on an as needed basis. Pictures of noxious or invasive species prior to mowing to show extent are needed for documentation.
  • Brush mowing to control woody species is permitted on no more than 25% of the enrolled acreage and after the nesting/fawning season of April 1 to August 1.
  • One third (1/3) of the enrolled acreage will have the forages maintained at no less than 6 inches for introduced grasses an legumes or 12 inches for native grasses, legumes and forbs.
  • Starting and stopping grazing heights will be followed and maintained on remaining two thirds based on the following table:

Forage Type / Start Grazing Height (inches)1/ / Stop Grazing Height (inches)2/ / Average Rest Period (days) / Ideal Minimum Regrowth prior to Killing Frost (inches) / Overwintering Height3/
(inches)
Introduced Grasses and Legumes / 6 to 8 / 3 to 4 / 25 to 45 / 6 to 8 / 3 to 4
Native Grasses, Legumes and Forbs / 12 to 18 / 6 to 8 / 30 to 50 / 10 to12 / 8 to 12

1/ Begin grazing when energy levels used for initial growth and regrowth are sufficient, generally full canopy. One paddock in an 8 or more paddock system can be started earlier to help prevent the last paddocks in the system from becoming too mature.

2/ In continuously grazed systems or systems with only 2 or 3 paddocks, the stop grazing height should be at least one inch taller than in a larger rotated system.

3/ Overwintering heights are ideally not reached until forages have become dormant.

Additional criteria for silvopasture:

  • Only applicable to existing pastureland that presently has trees, or where trees will be planted.
  • Does not apply to native forestland, or woodland managed for timber production or for wildlife habitat.
  • Only applicable to hard-mast producing trees that will be planted/maintained (see the appropriate CSP Wildlife Plant Species tables
  • Wildlife species that may be benefitted include: squirrels, deer, turkey, and woodpeckers.
  • Existing canopy cover of the trees cannot exceed 30%.
  • A prescribed grazing/browsing plan must be written and followed.
  • The acreage will not be utilized as only a “lounge” area for adjacent pasture.
  • Water access shall be available at a distance no more than 1200 feet from any grazed portion. Natural springs, creeks, streams or rivers shall not be utilized as the water source and shall be protected.
  • Livestock will not be allowed to graze/browse these sites when conditions are present for excessive compaction or erosion problems. Vegetative cover shall be maintained at all times.
  • Grazing/browsing outside the normal growth period for the species present will not be allowed – not to be used as a winter “barn”.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

March 2015