Grazing Into the Future

Watch PPLT Board member Tyrell Hibbard, whose family has been practicing progressive land management on their Sieben Livestock Co. holdings for years, explain the innovative cattle grazing program at Sevenmile Creek to repair the land after a fire swept through last September.
This grazing program included the help of a neighboring landowner and his 30 cow-calf pairs. By having fresh feed in front of the cattle to keep them moving, even grazing pressure was applied to the land- resembling how bison grazed across the plains years ago. This even distribution of hoof impacts opened up the soil and allowed the seeds to settle.
While the grazing program was a trail run, we envision more proactive management efforts among the portfolio of PPLT open lands. This was a successful example encompassing wildlife, grassland and stream restoration, education, agriculture, recreation, view shed and land protection that all co-exist in one spot.
Funds for this project came from our friends Montana Watershed Coordination Council, as an opportunity to protect the new stream channel.
“It’s a good example of partnerships with nonprofits”. Ethan Kunard, Montana Watershed Council Executive Director.