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Rockwood Research - January 1994
Introduction
The National Cattlemen's Association, in partnership with Beef Today,
commissioned a study, conducted in January 1994 by Rockwood Research,
to analyze cattlemen's use of conservation practices which are
beneficial to the environment. A nationwide sample of 400 randomly-
selected cow/calf producers was interviewed over the phone. The mean
herd size was 231 brood cows. 28% of the respondents feed or finish
cattle for market with the mean of 306 head finished for market in
1993.
Demographics
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o On average, 42% of the cattle farms/ranches have been in the
same family for 50 years or more, and 18% have been in the same
family for more than 75 years. 12% have been in the same family
for 100 years or more.
o More than three-fourths (78%) of the respondents intend to
pass their cattle business on to their children or younger
relatives.
o 3% of the respondents manage less than 100 acres of pasture
or grazing land; 36% manage between 100 - 499 acres; 24% manage
between 500 - 999 acres; and 37% manage 1,000 or more acres.
Specific Findings
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o Conservation Practices (compared to 1990 data where applicable*)
1) Percent of respondents that have the following on their
farms/ranches:
1990 1994
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75% 78% - man-made stock ponds for livestock (and wildlife)
drinking water
42% 64% - man-made terraces, ponds & water containment
systems (to prevent erosion)
61% 68% - dikes, levees, waterways (to help prevent erosion)
80% 87% - areas that support wildlife
n/a 35% - wetland areas present on property
n/a 17% - land set aside specifically as wildlife habitat
* 1990 survey conducted by POPULUS Research
2) Percent of respondents that carry out the following activities:
83% - use rotational grazing (moving cattle frequently to
prevent overgrazing)
84% - fertilize grazing/pasture land (to improve forage production)
72% - plant tame grasses
56% - plant native grasses
72% - mix legumes with grasses
54% - collect manure and spread on cropland
45% - use natural pest control systems instead of, or to
supplement, chemicals
29% - monitor ground water quality
22% - monitor surface water quality
88% - conduct soil tests
55% - use programs to manage riparian areas
74% - use minimum or conservation tillage systems
61% - use winter cover crops and green-manure drops to control erosion
62% - leave grass or legume cover strips along fence lines
31% - graze or hay wetlands periodically to open them up for wildlife
61% - provide feed for wildlife in the winter
o Land Conditions
1) In the past ten years, the condition of your range or pasture
land has:
82% - improved
13% - stayed the same
5% - declined
2) In the past ten years, the condition of grazing land along your
riparian areas has:
50% - improved
42% - stayed the same
5% - declined
3) In the past ten years, wildlife populations on your cattle
operation have:
63% - increased
26% - stayed the same
10% - decreased
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