Overwhelmed with mud? Need help with manure management? We are here to help!
The goal of the Livestock and Land Program is to raise community awareness, knowledge and support about management practices necessary to meet the needs ofhappy owners, healthy livestock and thriving watersheds. Through the Livestock and Land Program, RCDs will actively work with livestock owners on implementation of “Best Management Practices”, or “BMPs”, such as the following:
- Managing Weeds
- Composting Manure
- Reducing Erosion, Mud & Dust
- Selecting Appropriate Plants
- Keeping your Pastures Green
This program provides education, technical and financial assistance to livestock managers’ efforts to manage drainage, mud, vegetation and manure in areas of concentrated livestock for water quality and animal health.
Livestock living in a natural environment might roam miles daily for food, water and shelter. Their continual movement disperses manure and urine which allows for regrowth of vegetation. With domestic livestock, animals are confined to a smaller area where owners provide food, water and safe shelter.
Consequently, confined domestic livestock facilities and practices may unintentionally damage surface and ground water quality which in turn has detrimental effects on our local water resources, recreational activities and the environment.
Animals that spend excessive amounts of time in muddy areas are susceptible to a vast array of health problems. Proper pasture management is critical to prevent erosion, mud problems, eliminating poisonous and noxious weeds in pasture areas as well as correctly storing/ disposing of manure. By understanding how to manage your pasture and paddock areas this will create a healthy environment for your animals.
We want to help! The Livestock and Land Program can provide assistance to livestock property owners in implementing and understanding BMPs through: funding for land improvements; free site visits and consultations; workshops and training; and publications and brochures.
The Livestock and Land Program is a partnership between the Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District (US-LT RCD) and Ecology Action, and together with ranchers, farmers, private property owners, educators, non-profits, community organizations, local governments and many others, we aim to raise community awareness and ability to achieve the cultural and land management changes necessary to promote healthy livestock and watershed management in San Luis Obispo County.