We're all in this together

Post by Clemson student Lana Fabrizi

This week we visited livestock operations and learned about numerous conservation projects, showing the diversity of organisms Montana houses. In my academic career, I am used to reading about research on domestic animals, so it was a great experience to hear about the projects on wildlife. I continue to learn and grow an appreciation for the diversity of Montana.

Our class first spoke to Jeff Hermans, a forester working to change the public’s opinion on safe forest practices. His talk exemplified how important it is for the interactions between environment, wildlife, livestock and humans to be balanced. I have no experience with forestry, and prior to this class was confused as to why people would “prescribe” fires. I think many Montana residents have the same viewpoint as me; I always thought cutting down trees was terrible for the environment. Mr. Hermans explained that we, “need to get people understanding nature changes.” Trees can grow too close together, doing more harm than good and putting the landscape at risk. Mr. Hermans described how shallow Montana soil is and how fires “nuke the soil,” meaning the microbiological population is damaged. If the soil is not fixed by the microbes, the plants cannot grow as well, and the livestock and wildlife will not be able to extract sufficient nutrients. This may be an over-exaggeration of the cycle but it paints a clear picture of how tightly the ecosystem is connected. After the lecture, we toured Goz’s property and it was amazing to see the “fire scars” on the trees and how resilient they are. Mr. Hermans goes beyond his job as a forester and is trying to implement biofuel, using wood to heat or generate electricity instead of burning fossil fuels. This would increase the sustainability of the area by relying on local sources that are going to waste anyways.

            We then traveled the Bozeman and had the opportunity to tour Montana State University’s Animal Science facilities. Meghan, a graduate student, works in the wildlife habitat ecology lab. She presented her research on sharp-tailed grouse. Her research concluded that it is important to keep public land leased to ranchers so it does not go to urbanization. Development of such areas can lead to deaths of wildlife, especially grouse populations. She also found that the more cattle in a pasture while a hen is nesting, the higher the bird survival rate. This in another example of the beneficial interaction between wildlife and livestock.

            Devon Ragen, another researcher at Montana State University, gave us a perspective on interaction and sustainability of the land. Her research project included finishing sheep on fields and using their urine and feces as fertilizer for the crops. The sheep finished in the field had higher average daily gain than those raised in confinement, a clear advantage to this system. The rancher can benefit by having a more efficient finishing system, and the waste can be used for crop growth.  A similar system is in place at the Amaltheia cheese company, owned by Melvyn. His primary product is goat cheese- the best goat cheese I’ve ever tasted. He uses the whey from the milk as a protein source for his pigs, uses manure from his animals as fertilizer for this farm, and composts all waste he cannot sell. This system is very sustainable, which is good for both the environment and Melvyn’s wallet.

One of the most memorable parts of this week is when Steve, from Midland’s Bull Test said, “in this business you never stop learning and you never stop observing.” I believe this is true based on everyone’s major, whether it be AVS, ENR or WFB. This can be seen with the technology used in both livestock and wildlife industries. We have seen the GrowSafe Systems feeders in different settings; they were essential in research at Montana State University and help Steve measure feed intake and efficiency per bull.

Speaking to “The Great Plains as a working conservation landscape,” I think cooperation of people in different fields is essential for the landscape to be maintained. It would be great if Mr. Hermans can get public buildings to run off wood energy, for ranchers and farmers to come together to recycle waste as manure for fields, and for ranchers and conservationists to work together to maintain wildlife population sizes. The key to keeping the Great Plains as a working conservation landscape is to make it sustainable, which this cooperation is proving can be possible. I have always felt that livestock operations and conservationists were enemies, butting heads on land issues, but this week has proven me wrong.