By Jodi Goerzen, Manager, Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District
The first year of Living Lab-Eastern Prairies in the Main Drain was a whirlwind of information sharing and solidifying the importance of Best Management Practice (BMPs) already gaining popularity in the area. A full day presentation in Rosa by Gabe Brown, Ray Archuleta and Michael Thiele on soil health and regenerative agriculture drew over 130 participants from across the Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District (SRRWD) and sparked conversations amongst producers about the importance of innovation and individualized planning on their farms. Complementary workshops held in Ridgeville on pollinators, biodiversity and predation have drawn an increase in interest in the conversion of underproductive annual crop lands to perennial pastures. This complements existing SRRWD livestock management, alternative land use and GROW programming providing opportunities for producers within the Living Lab framework and beyond. Several landowners have also been able to engage directly through one on one sessions to start individualized on-farm planning for their operation.
In the last year, Main Drain producers established nine alternative watering systems and fenced off over a dozen dugouts and riparian areas resulting in the exclusion of over 1,100 head of cattle from local waterways. Several more watering systems and fencing projects have been established just outside the Main Drain watershed because, as we know, producers talk, and good programming is good programming. By highlighting the positive impact that keeping cattle out of waterways has on water quality, soil health and biodiversity enhancement, Living Lab-Eastern Prairies is already making an impact beyond the boundaries of the Main Drain Watershed.
As year 2 is underway, partnerships with producers have already begun. Water quality sampling will be occurring across the watershed to help paint a picture of the effect these BMPs are having on our waterways. Research scientists are working directly with producers to monitor tile drains and to provide data on the effect of innovative cropping methods. A pasture-based retention structure with complementary alternative watering system, livestock crossing and riparian area fencing is in the works as are several independent off site watering systems and perennial plantings. Through partnerships forged through the Living Labs-Eastern Prairies initiative, Seine Rat Roseau Watershed has been able to directly connect innovative landowners with the researchers and specialists who can best advise them, and to the funding they need to venture into uncharted BMP territory. Landowners are eager to see Living Lab-Eastern Prairies expand into their varied areas of interest and to work with researchers to gain valuable insight into how BMPs can be tailored to the unique needs of the Main Drain Watershed and its producers.