Incorporating Conservation and Wildlife Practices in a Farm Management Plan

Land is a long-term resource, and for most owners, farmland ownership is more of a long-term commitment than a short-term investment. Conservation practices improve long-term profitability, so conservation and profit complement each other.

Thousands of landowners are protecting their land by developing farm management plans that incorporate conservation and wildlife practices. (USDA photo by Ron Nichols, 8801250)

Develop a Conservation Plan

The best way to improve conservation practices and attract wildlife is with a farm management plan, and many farms could implement long-term conservation and wildlife practices into their farm management plans. The process of developing a conservation plan involves looking at each resource and applying intensive management practices to all resource uses, including conservation and wildlife practices.

Developing a plan will increase the likelihood that things are done correctly the first time. When developing a plan, think about changes and improvements for example, terraces or plantings and also about maintenance and further modifications that could be made in future years. There will be tradeoffs among initial capital costs, annual maintenance, time, and timeliness factors. Resources are always limiting; in many cases, time and management ability are more limiting than capital or other resources. Rarely can more than one resource be maximized at one time.

When developing a plan, consider several questions. Does the plan make sense? Is it practical for the situation? Is it possible to implement or construct the plan? Can it be maintained over the long term? How can it be broken down?

Establish Priorities. Which projects should be done first? Which projects need to be done at the same time to lower the total costs or because the optimum timing is the same? Will priorities in the plan change if conditions change? Be alert to changes in weather, idle acre programs, financial assistance, costs of materials, and availability of contractors.

Planting trees on highly erodible land provides permanent wildlife habitats. In addition to providing food and cover for wildlife, the trees and grass protect the soil from devastating effects of soil erosion. (USDA Photo by Ron Nichols, 88BW0664-24a)