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Sierra Valley Ranch Field Day August 8, 2008 |
Rancher Lewis Van Vleck explains his ranch planning and water quality conservation project to the group. |
Ranchers discuss potential funding partners to assist landowners with resource stewardship projects. Dan Martynn of the NRCS discussed solar powered off-site stockwater options for grazing operations. Contact Dan at the Quincy NRCS Office 530-283-7511 |
website updated february 2010
Van Vleck Ranch Field Day and Bar-B-Que co-sponsored by: Plumas-Sierra UC Cooperative Extension Upper Feather River Watershed Group Plumas-Sierra Farm Bureau Plumas-Sierra Cattlemen Among the topics discussed: Local water quality monitoring Solar powered temporary fencing Water-Quality & Conservation Projects by local ranchers Documentation Ideas to assist UFRWG met ILRP requirements |
Water Quality BMP’s E.coli BMP’s Reduce runoff volumes. Use vegetated ditches to filter tailwater. Minimize fecal-stream interaction. Utilize rotational grazing to minimize flowing water under livestock. Control-graze fenced buffer strips to filter tailwater. Calve in drier areas away from streams. Develop off-stream stock water. Set salt & supplements to encourage cattle loafing away from streams. Consider riparian fencing to manage livestock access to main waterways. * * * * * * * * * * DO and pH BMP’s Follow crop & farm-input recommendations. Minimize tailwater carrying nutrients. Minimize over irrigation to maintain stream flows and higher quality forages. When practical maintain streamside vegetation to lessen water temperature increases. |
Monitoring data collected the past three years has shown that water quality in the upper Feather River watershed is not just an agricultural concern, but is impacted by residential communities, public lands, county & state road departments and recreational activity areas too. All groups play some role in the mosaic of water uses in the upper Feather River watershed region. To successfully protect and enhance water quality will take the cooperation of all users in the watershed. As agricultural users, we want to be diligent to do our part in addressing any potential contributions by our operations. Please review the list of water quality enhancement practices to see if there is one or more that could be implemented on your ranch. These practices are proven to improve water quality associated with grazing operations. Implementation of these types of projects by landowners will also help the coalition meet the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program requirements. Let’s continue to demonstrate that area ranchers are meeting the challenge for resource conservation. |
The 2008 Sierra Valley Ranch Field Day began at the historic Pasquetti barn on the Lewis Van Vleck Ranch. A review of Special Study Projects conducted through the 2008 Irrigation Season was lead by the Prop 50 Project Team. The Landowner and his project partners led the group across the project area to discuss details about the NRCS Riparian Grazing Rotation Project on the ranch. Temporary electric fencing.
Alan Abrams who shared his goal of demonstrating enhancement can compliment each other. John Olofson explained the advantages of solar powered electric fencing in flood prone areas where heavy spring runoffs can cause expensive damage to permanent fences. John maintains similar fencing on the Feather River Land Trust property in Sierra Valley. Karen Sweet, Executive Officer of Alameda County RCD and a California Cattlemen Association member, encouraged UFRWG ranchers and agricultural irrigators to look for ways to share their good stories. Water and resource stewardship has been a vital part of farming and ranching operations for some time. She emphasized that the success of our resource- dependant agriculture industry hinges on the continued good care of these resources as well as promoting public confidence in our products and management practices. |
Lunch Break included informational speakers under the shade at Van Vleck Ranch headquarters Holly George, UCCE Farm Advisor and Prop 50 Team Leader provided a great variety of informative speakers for the Field Day: Dan Martynn, NRCS discussed the new Farm Bill which will provide assistance to landowners through the local NRCS and RCD offices for resource conservation projects and drought assistance. John Donnelly, Wildlife Conservation Board discussed programs available for landowners to partner with the WCB in planning and funding conservation projects on their ranches that could benefit both grazing operations and wildlife habitat. Dennis Heiman of the State Water Board has been meeting with northern California coalition groups to help develop a more practical Irrigated Lands Program for predominately grazing and rangeland watersheds. Russell Reid, chairman of Upper Feather River Watershed Group informed the attendees that the B of D is reviewing options for post Prop 50 and is currently budgeted to cover expenses until further funding is secured for the UFRWG. Dr. Ken Tate, rangeland watershed specialist has offered to help interested landowners with ranch water quality self-assessments. Ken has specialized in water quality research related to rangelands and irrigated pastures at UC Davis. He is currently assisting several mountain rangeland watersheds with their ILRP planning. Taking his turn at the gate during a Forage Identification Training Day for Prop 50 Team |
Participants toured Sierra Valley ranches to learn first
hand about the water quality efforts of local landowners.
hand about the water quality efforts of local landowners.
Upper Feather River Watershed Group
PO Box 975 Loyalton, Ca 96118
Plumas and Sierra Counties
PO Box 975 Loyalton, Ca 96118
Plumas and Sierra Counties
Upper Feather River Watershed Ranch Field Days and Tours 2008 Van Vleck Ranch Water Quality Field Day -- Sierra Valley 2009 4th Annual Sustainable Ag Workshop -- Taylorsville Kingdon Ranch Water Quality BMP Tour -- Indian Valley |
Indian Valley Ranch Field Day September 26, 2009 |
FRLT Sustainable Ag Workshop and Kingdon Ranch BMP Tour & BBQ September 26, 2009
FRLT Ag Workshop Among the topics discussed: Irrigation Efficiency Practices using underground mainline pipe BMPs for Water Quality & Conservation Projects by local ranchers
production and utilization |
Sustainable Ag Workshop September 26, 2009 Taylorsville, Ca |
John Gamper, California Farm Bureau
discusses land use and the
Agriculture Preservation Act.
discusses land use and the
Agriculture Preservation Act.
Brian Morris, Plumas County Flood Control
and Conservation District addresses
local and state water issues.
and Conservation District addresses
local and state water issues.
panel discussions: beginning farmers panel, niche and local-grown panel. Area School kids were treated to a youth section lead by young leaders in the farming community. |
Ranch Tour hosts Brian and Heather Kingdon treated about 50 participants to an informative open discussion and exchange of ideas on water quality BMPs. The Kingdon's mainline pipe project for irrigated their pastures was featured. |
UFRWG
Agriculture Stakeholders
Advancing water stewardship
Agriculture Stakeholders
Advancing water stewardship
| Ranch Field Days |
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Rotational Grazing Management
can be a valuable tool for improving forage
production and utilization and for achieving
water quality and conservation goals.
