The 2009 Region I Environmental Stewardship Award Winner - Young's Cattle Co. of Belmont, Ohio, representing NCBA Region I, the Northeast, the family was recognized for their whole-farm commitment to protecting the areas natural resources. Today, they maintain 400 cow-calf pairs and turn 5,000 head of stocker cattle annually on their 3,283 acres of reclaimed strip mined soil. The Youngs have implemented a number of practices aimed at protecting and improving the land upon which they make a living. These include: Installed 20,000 fence posts and 628,000 feet of high tensile fence to divide the fields into 57 paddocks that are rotated weekly. Developed 16 heavy use pads for feeding during potential erosion periods to eliminate soil loss. Developed 14 springs using re-cycled tire tanks. 15,000 feet of pressurized water lines have been installed to provide clean water in each paddock
Fenced cattle out of 16 ponds and streams on the property while installing 4 stream crossings to minimize erosion
Fenced cattle from heavily wooded areas to protect forests and wildlife areas. Worked with Synagro Central LLC to develop nutrient management permits that are submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for bio-solids application approval. Provided habitat for Canadian geese, ducks, white-tail deer, and wild turkeys through such practices as delayed clipping and rotational grazing.
Is it economical to reclaim these lands? Did you receive funding to reclaim these lands, or is your cattle operation able to pay its way?
charkee1 1 year ago