Livestock Trail Erosion Grant
Clarke County Soil & Water Conservation District
Spring 2015
In This Issue
General Information
Regarding Grant
Implemented Solutions
Promising Products
This project is
supported in part by
the Iowa Department
of Agriculture and
Land Stewardship,
Division of Soil
Conservation.
Contact Us
connie.harmsen@ia.nacdnet.net
www.clarkecountyia-swcd.org
Equal Opportunity
Employer & Provider
Osceola, IA
General Information Regarding Grant
Clarke County Soil & Water District was awarded the Fiscal Year
2014 State Soil Conservation Committee Research & Demonstration
Grant.
Purpose: To improve or attempt to control soil and water runoff by finding
alternative and affordable treatment for soil erosion in highly traveled
livestock trails.
Duration: July 1, 2013 June 30, 2015
Partners: NRCS Public Affairs Division
Goals: Find new techniques, methods and products that can be used to
address erosion cause by livestock trails.
Spread the message of the effort statewide, fulfilling IDAL's mission and
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Northeys' priority of '...advancing science and
new technologies to better care for our air, soil and water, while reaching
out to all Iowans to tell the story of Iowa agriculture.' (IDALS website)
On the Heston Farm, the pond spillway
pipe and water tank were extended
downstream approximately 220 ft. to
dry the area below the pond. This also
moved the livestock trail away from
the fence to allow for easier
maintenance and flatten the trail grade
from ~14% to ~9%. Overflow water
from the tank is now routed to the pipe
outlet. - Dennis Schrodt, DC
Implemented Solutions
Organic by treating the trail area with corn stalks to reduce erosion due to
water runoff and 'pad' the trail and enhance mobility.
Stair Stepping by using rail ties, or rock strips to be placed horizontal

Domestic cattle stay
together in groups to make
their daily rounds between
pasture and the water
trough. They walk leisurely
along from place to place in
single file. - Excerpt from
Animals Make Us Human
by Temple Grandin and
Catherine Johnson
down the slope 3 feet apart, reducing water run off in a trail.
Fencing by building outlet fences at the top corner post to direct cattle
away from the fence.
Extension of Water Facility by extending the water pipe and water facility
away from the dam to create less sloping, thereby reducing speed of run off
in the trail, and possible elimination of a trail.
Rubber Matting woven tire tread, placed in the eroded area to reduce the
soil loss.

Promising Products
Solar power pumps are one of the most practical and cost-effective uses of
solar energy today. Solar electric power systems designed for water
pumping have no moving parts or batteries. When the sun shines, the
system pumps water (Ameresco Solar)
Solar pumps can allow for better forage utilization in pastures, reduce stream-
bank erosion and improve water quality and vegetative growth, save money
running electricity to the pasture and monthly electric bills, and cattle stay in
good condition due to reliable access to clean water.
Non-slip rubber matting woven from recycled tire tread. These reduce the
chance of hoof damage. It is estimated that these can reduce the soil loss
The U.S. Department of around areas that livestock turn along fence lines. Anchoring the mat with
Agriculture (USDA) prohibits ground spikes should prevent it from moving.
discrimination against its
customers, employees and
applicants for employment on the
basis of race, color, national
origin, age, disability, sex, gender
identity, religion, reprisal, and
where applicable, political
beliefs, marital status, familial or
parental status, sexual orientation,
or all or part of an individuals
income is derived from any
public assistance program, or
protected genetic information in
employment or in any program or
activity conducted or funded by
the Department. (Not all
prohibited basis apply to all Clarke County Soil & Water Conservation District
programs and/or employment
activities.)
709 Furnas Dr., Suite 3
Osceola, IA 50213