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Cattle farmer touts benefits of riparian buffers
If you walk along the segment of Great Run that flows adjacent to the cow pastures on Soldier's Hill Angus Farm in Warrenton, you won't find overgrazed grass, steep banks without vegetation, undercut trees, or muddied water. And, most significantly, you won't find cattle defecating and urinating in the same water from which they drink.
That cleanliness is germane to the ongoing discussion about the wisdom of creating reservoir management districts to protect drinking water for the Town of Warrenton.
“This is a perfect example of a good riparian buffer,” said John Marshal Soil and Water Conservation District Specialist Tom Turner, noting the long, dense grass, woody shrubs, and strong trees that stand between the farm's livestock pastures and the stream.
While the rationale for installing such conservation practices may be rooted in improving water quality, as Angus cattle breeder Dennis Pearson will tell you, the land, herd, and farmer also benefit.
Pearson, who has a degree in animal science from Virginia Tech and has been raising cattle since the 70s, shares the 105-acre farm with his father. He is one of a number of farmers in Fauquier County participating in Virginia programs, implemented locally by the John Marshall Soil and Water District, that offer cost-share dollars to participating farmers.
Not a moment too soon.
Great Run, a major tributary of the Rappahannock River and part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, is one of 30 designated impaired waterways in the county. For all of them, the major pollutant is fecal coliform bacteria, the most common form of which is E-coli.
Great Run,Thumb Run, Carter Run, and Deep Run, have implementation plans in place to reduce pollution. They outline several methods to meet water-quality standards, including fencing off livestock from streams; reducing non-point source loads on pasture and cropland through the use of rotational grazing and riparian buffer zones; correcting straight pipes and failing septic systems; and reducing pet bacteria loads on land.
The effort to begin cleaning and protecting these stream segments began in December 2006, by which time Pearson’s efforts to improve water quality on his property were well under way, culminating in he and his family being awarded the 2000 Conservation Farmer Award for Fauquier County.
In 1998, he worked with the JMSWCD to have fencing installed on his property along the segment of Great Run. Subsequently, a water trough that taps into his house well was installed in the middle of the field. A cost-share program paid for part of the fencing cost, and the cost of installing a pipe from the well to the trough.
This past summer, Pearson had another fence installed — this time around a man-made pond on a property that he leases. He also had two water troughs built. The cost-share program paid for part of the cost of fencing and water troughs.
Not only do the fences prevent Pearson’s 118 head herd from accessing the water bodies on the two properties, but a 35-foot buffer between the stream and the fence prevents the cattle from grazing near the stream, thereby allowing a place for vegetation to grow.
When it rains, the knee-high grass, shrubs, and plants help prevent soil erosion, and also act as a filter, removing phosphorous and nitrogen before it is carried into the stream.
As for the herd, Pearson said that keeping them out of the contaminated water is inarguably better for their health, which in turn is easier on his pocketbook. “On hot days, they are just like hippos,” he said. “You'll see them out there with their whole body submerged in water. But they don't need to be in the water. They can stay cool in the shade of a tree.”
According to conservation specialist for JMSWCD, Melissa Allen, many of the diseases and parasites that cows contract are found in contaminated water. This raises the cows' temperature, creating an endless cycle in which they go to the water to cool off, and contract more parasites.
“They are less likely to come into contact with parasites, worms, and heel flies if they stay out of the water,” Pearson said, explaining that heel fly eggs don't hatch until the cow is wading in water. This can mean fewer medical expenses, he added, noting the high cost of de-wormers.
With the help of the TMDL and cost-share programs, Pearson has also installed cross-fencing on both properties, dividing them into smaller paddocks. Rotating the herd from one paddock to another prevents the grass from being eaten down to the root, and allows it to replenish itself.
“With rotational grazing you can have more head per acre, which is more efficient,” Pearson said. “You can also stockpile grass, and extend the grazing season, which means feeding less hay.”
According to Pearson, a lot of farmers still use continuous grazing, and round up their herds in the fall to put them in a winter pasture, where they feed on hay. With the high cost of hay due to last year's drought and the rising cost of fuel, this can be costly. Pearson said he used to sell round bales for $30. Now he sells them for $70.
Not all farmers recognize the agricultural advantages of implementing such conservation practices, though. “It's an education process,” said Jennifer Krick, noting that many farmers have been farming the same way for decades. “You have to educate them, and explain why we're doing this.” “You can't sell conservation,” Allen added. “You have to think about how it is going to help the farmer.”
The directors of JMSWCD have not taken a position on the proposed reservoir management district. The Fauquier County Planning Commission recommended denial of the proposed overlay. The supervisors have not discussed the issue.
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