Upper Northeast Pasture Center Teleconference

March 7, 2006

Teleconference participants included: Juli Brussell, Sue Ellen Johnson, Don Minto, Ray Bryant, Dick Starkey, Karen Sullivan, Tom Adams, Rachel Gilker, Richard Redman, Rebecca Elwood, Angus Johnson, Michael Katz, Kenneth Miller, Barbara Miller, Masoud Hashemi, Stephen Herbert and Carrie Chickering-Sears, and two or three others (names uncertain). 

Call start time: 12:30 PM

Dr. Stephen Herbert from UMass opened with an update on the Upper Northeast Pasture Center since the Pasture Consortium. The Massachusetts coordination team is comprised of staff from NRCS, New England Small Institute, UMass Extension, a SARE farmer educator and a local veterinarian. Dr. Herbert stated they do not want to preclude anyone from participating and are open to any suggestions on what direction to move on the proposal.  Some pasture work has been started with some projects lead by Dr. Michael Katz and the plan is to utilize the pastures closest to the barn facility. The land base will be available for other research in coordination with UMass if it is a funded project. UMass plans to build in Deerfield a 12,000 sq. ft. farm workshop/barn to support equipment repair and service and hay storage for the animal and crop research activities.

The point people for the Center development are Stephen Herbert sherbert@pssci.umass.edu Sue Ellen Johnson sejohnson@smallfarm.org and Carrie Chickering-Sears ccsears@umext.umass.edu. Updates on information about the Center will be available at http://www.umass.edu/cdl/CAREC.htm

There was a discussion of potential projects for the scope of work for the Center.  Suggestions for research topics:

As a producer (Minto) is interested in the development of forage plans, extending the forage year, cereal grains use, etc. This is a real issue for grazers with limited information available.

Nitrogen spikes and grazing:  Jim Neal (ARS) from West Virginia might be a good resource person with his work on nitrogen utilization and grazing.

Pressing issue is woodland grazing. At this time, woodland is not as well managed as pastureland. Agroforestry is another issue that should be researched.  Need to be concerned with re-growth. Need to be careful of what breeds you use when grazing woodlands. Breed decisions go along with the forest management objective.

Explore working with UNH organic dairy herd in the future.  UMass needs to develop a herd that can be used for grazing. Maybe producers could supply livestock, ie. replacement heifers and/or grass fed beef. Coordinate regional support.

Suggest looking at multi-species grazing. Beef & sheep seem to be the norm. Research needed on fencing issues and the diseases that might be transmitted or avoided between the species.

Integration of vegetable crops with livestock grazing. Deerfield affords us the opportunity to explore this issue since the vegetable research station is next door to the livestock facility.  Should look at what the future New England farm may look like.

UMass is open to most of the items mentioned today. If looking at ARS funding, need to have proposal set for January 2007. This year, 30% reduction in formula funds for experimental stations. It will take time to get congressional support.

Need to move towards a plan. Get together a short and long term plan.

Karen Sullivan will email the Northeast Ag Caucus group. This will be forwarded with minutes.

Rachel Gilker will bring forth information on our plan to the attendees at the VT Grass Farmers Assn. Meeting on March 8, 2006.

Angus Johnson - We need more farmers participating in the teleconference planning sessions. Congressional earmarks are the first step. There has been some contact with reps in both Kerry and Kennedy’s offices.  Key issues with both senators are tourism and the environment. “Eye candy” = open space and concern on where my food is coming from. Producers need to get their foot in the door with the politicians. Need to keep them informed. Cranberry growers are very successful in reaching politicians and media. Approach should not only be one state contacting politicians but a multi-state position.

Two levels of discussion – general interest – theme and specific projects – NRI

Innovation grant from NRCS might look at for future funding. It is too late to submit for this year. Could be a multi-state grazing proposal. 

Teleconference calls will be held once a month. Suggestion was made to start the teleconference calls in the evenings once fieldwork begins to afford farmers the opportunity to participate.

Plans are underway to host a Deerfield site meeting in July or August 2006.

Next teleconference date:  April 4, 2006 12:30 PM

Call ended at 1:34 PM