Throughout the year and particularly in the spring it seems livestock producers are investigating sources of funding for fencing and spring developments. Spring time brings lush growth to pastures, making producers think about options for maximizing grazing. Grass as the sole component of a feed ration with a few essential minerals would really make sense, considering how the cost of energy has affected the price of diesel fuel, gasoline, fertilizer, not to mention the increase in steel prices.

In many cases producers could purchase grain cheaper than they could produce it themselves. Sometimes converting cropland to pasture is a good alternative to consider. For some producers grazing cropland works well after a primary crop has been harvested. Grazing additional acreage or better utilizing existing pastures will require additional fencing, gates and water facilities. Many times after deciding upon a grazing plan producers realize they do not have sufficient funding to complete their plan.

Each year numerous inquiries revolve around fencing and spring developments. Currently the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is the only program that provides funding for spring developments and fencing. CREP is administered by the Farm Service Agency. It not only provides funding for fencing and spring developments but also stream crossings.

While CREP is available and fully funded, the following conditions must apply to qualify:

fence of 2 or 3 strand wire is only eligible when in conjunction with a stream bank buffer and only the footage that is parallel to the stream is eligible

spring developments, water troughs, pipelines, etc. are only eligible when livestock are fenced out of the creek/stream

stream crossings cannot exceed 18 feet wide and are not designed for machinery roadways. Stream crossings are for moving livestock from pasture to pasture while keeping livestock out of the stream buffer

CREP participants must maintain the acreage for 10 or 15 years in exchange for an annual rental payment for the stream buffer.

On occasion there are a few other programs available to assist with funding a grazing system. However, currently no funding is available for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program or the Growing Greener/Project Grass grants. The programs are administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Conservation District.