NRCS Helps Noonan Restore Pastures

by Jason Johnson, State Public Affairs Specialist, USDA-NRCS, Des Moines, Iowa

Jackson County farmer Brian Noonan is utilizing assistance from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to transform his family's 480-acre farm near Bernard in eastern Iowa from an open-grazed pasture that Noonon says "needed a lot of work" into a more diverse, sustainable operation with a focus on organic grassland restoration.

About 10 years ago Noonan left his job with the city of Dubuque to manage the family farm, which is owned by a family partnership that includes five families and their lineal descendants. Noonan says the farm dates back five generations to the 1830s when his family's Irish descendants purchased 180 acres there.

"We've had the farm in the family for so long," he said. "I want to retain it and do it in a way to preserve it."

Today, the farm is much more diverse than even a decade ago, with 117 cropland acres, two pastures that cover about 200 acres, and hay ground. The cropland is rented out to a neighboring farmer.

Noonan said he didn't grow up on the farm but was raised in nearby Cascade with an interest in music. He even attended the University of Northern Iowa for art and later enrolled at Iowa State University for environmental science. "I didn't grow up as a hands-on farmer, so there has been a learning curve," he said.

NRCS Assistance
Before Brian took over the farm it was Noonan's father, Ray Jr., who started the process of improving pasture grazing conditions. In 2008, Ray contacted the local NRCS office and, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) forestry specialists, developed a forestry management plan. The Noonans installed permanent fencing to keep cattle out of a creek and a degraded pond. They also implemented a timber stand improvement plan and renovated a well to add livestock watering areas.

"Having NRCS start working with my dad to help us install some of the fencing was really helpful," said Noonan. "It's allowed me to go in and do some more intensive grazing management with electric fence to further subdivide pastures."

Today, Noonan runs 60 cow/calf pairs that rotate about every three days through about a dozen paddocks. Brian says his Red Devon cattle are excellent grass finishers. "It's really good beef," he said. "I enjoy raising grass-fed beef and I felt it was a good way to go for our farm."

Farm Bill Programs Help with Implementation

Over the last five years Noonan became more assertive about implementing conservation practices on his farm. He collaborated with NRCS District Conservationist Lori Schnoor, who also farms in the area.

She and Noonan have continued and added to the conservation plan that started with his father nearly 20 years ago. "Brian's been open to new ideas," said Schnoor. "His inexperience is almost an advantage because he doesn't have any preconceived notions that dictate how he operates."

With a focus on grazing management and improving wildlife habitat and an eye on boosting the ecosystem, Noonan applied for conservation funding assistance through both the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to help achieve his goals.

Through CSP, producers receive a five-year contract to develop a plan to expand on existing conservation efforts. Contract holders implement new conservation practices or activities that treat natural resource concerns, such as cleaner water or better wildlife habitat, all while improving their agricultural operation.

Noonan implemented a Grazing Bundle through CSP that includes practices like rotational grazing, weed treatment, and wildlife habitat management. The CSP grazing bundle is helping Noonan reduce input costs and support his operation. "The pest management part fit well with his organic goals," said Schoor.

Through EQIP, producers receive planning and financial assistance to maintain or improve production while conserving natural resources on working landscapes.

Beginning in 2019, Brian began utilizing EQIP to cover a portion of the cover crop costs on his cropland, which has helped reduce soil erosion and improve overall soil health. Since then, he has worked with NRCS to implement practices like fence, pasture and hay planting, livestock pipeline, a pumping plant, and watering facilities to support his grazing system.

Iowa NRCS State Grazing Specialist Jeff Matthias says Noonan's grazing operation improvements are helping the resource base of soil, water, and plants on the land he manages. "Grazing management allows desirable forages to properly recover, which helps control weeds and minimize soil compaction," he said. "More water is now able to infiltrate, and desired forages are growing to feed the cattle. Fencing and limiting livestock access to streams and ponds helps protect water quality, stream banks from erosion and allows wildlife to have more cover and shelter on his land."

Another major project Brian started in 2020 was planting a natural windbreak between the cropland and home acreage. The windbreak includes shrubs and trees such as oaks, spruces and pines that, in time, will decrease home energy usage, provide wildlife habitat, and even reduce snow drift. "I like the idea of the windbreak increasing biodiversity," he said. "It's also easier to plow the lane because it's catching some of the snow."

Ecological Benefits
Noonan says that although his operation is not certified organic, he uses no chemicals on the pasture and hay ground. "A lot of my passion comes from the environmental aspect of the farm," he said. "I am using cattle as an ecosystem management tool for grassland restoration."

For example, Brian sees swarms of swallows de-flying his livestock. "We get that naturally here because we have forests in-tact and savannah remnants," he said.

"What's nice about this farm is it shows a good balance between farming and ecological benefits," said Schnoor. "There is so much more that farmers can do to benefit the environment. Brian is doing that here."

For more information about practices and programs to help you achieve your conservation goals, visit your local NRCS office.

• More Photos (Flickr)