Uhren Grass Feed Beef Achieves Water Quality Certification
David Uhren of Vining, Minnesota, has recently become water quality certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). The program, which originated in 2014, is a voluntary process that has certified over 1,500 producers across the state for utilizing conservation-minded practices in their operations to protect water quality. Each applicant is required to undergo an in-depth examination of field characteristics, crop rotation history, nutrients, and pesticide management techniques, as well as tillage and irrigation practices, depending on their unique farming operation.
“Becoming water quality certified was a goal our operation worked hard to obtain,” Uhren said. “We’ve always felt pretty good about how we manage our land, but now, after the certification process, we’re more confident in our capabilities as stewards of the land.”
Uhren originally began farming as a dairy and row crop producer in the 1980’s; however, due to the mixture of steep slopes, sandy soils, woods, wetlands, and prairie potholes for land features, Uhren slowly converted his land to perennial pasture to build and manage a livestock herd.
Today, Uhren manages approximately 511 acres of both owned and leased farmland to raise his 120 grass-fed Angus cattle through rotational grazing and bale grazing, which allows them to overwinter onsite. By definition, rotational grazing involves moving livestock to different pasture units to encourage recovery of the previously grazed vegetation. Bale grazing is a similar concept where hay is strategically placed out on winter pastures and fed in a planned, controlled manner, where it mitigates the excess buildup of nutrients from the manure.
Uhren has collaborated with multiple agencies to construct exclusion fencing and install additional watering facilities within his operation, thereby preventing nutrient loading to the sensitive surface water features on his land. Additionally, Uhren is working with an NRCS grazing specialist to further enhance his livestock operation and paddock management to maintain herd health and continue protecting those sensitive water features from his cattle.
“I see the certification as raising awareness of the positive aspects of being good stewards of the land,” Susan Uhren said. “Plus, our customers really love hearing and knowing their beef comes from a conservation-minded farm.”
Uhren’s main goal now is to get his operation running as efficiently as possible before transferring the family business to his son, who will follow in his footsteps. Overall, Uhren’s current management practices on their farming operation result in the conservation of natural resources within East Otter Tail County, where water quality is protected, and soil erosion is reduced.
For more information about the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program, contact the East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation office at 218-346-9105 or contact us here: https://eotswcd.org/contact/.
Posted in: MAWQCP
