NatGLC is excited to announce the Legacy Landscapes Program, a program designed to give farmers & ranchers the credit they’re due for their stewardship of our grazing lands. This initiative aims to support livestock producers in record keeping and implementing grazing land improvements that benefit both their operation and the environment. The program is being funded by Nestle® Purina PetCare, who utilizes beef byproducts in their petfood, and has a carbon reduction goal to reduce emissions within their supply chain. 

Through participation, producers will receive access to an operation-level management software program through AgriWebb, assistance from NatGLC in utilizing the software along with technical assistance and consultation for their operation, and guidance on financial opportunities to make their goals reality. 

As the program rolls out, Legacy Landscapes is currently recruiting producers to participate within the state of Texas with expansion into additional states as soon as possible. NatGLC is currently recruiting ranchers to participate in the Legacy Landscapes Program in Texas with expansion into additional states in the future. If you are interested in participating in the project, but are not located in Texas, please fill out our interest form and we will keep you up-to-date as the project grows and eligibility expands.

About the Program

*Grazing Management Improvement Practices

Animal Health

• Vaccination Protocol (vet recommended, other formalized protocols)

• BCS Monitoring (monitoring with pictures in GMP); match animal needs with proper forages

• Proper Genetics (match environment and GMP/operational goals)

• Weaning Protocol (balancing calf efficiency and breed back of cow)

• Culling Protocol (appropriate to environment and GMP/operational goals)

• Supplements/Additives: Enzymes/Yeast, Ionophores, Probiotics

• Parasite Control – (connected to forage quality)

  •  “Stop” parasite control for soil health and long-term forage and animal health gains

Eligibile Practices

a. Animal Health 

i. New/Improved Vaccination Protocol (vet recommended, other formalized protocols)
ii. BCS Monitoring (monitoring with pictures in GMP); match animal needs with proper forages 
iii. New/Improved Genetics (match environment and GMP/operational goals) 
iv. Improved Reproductive Efficiency (through artificial insemination or other means)
v. New/Improved Weaning Protocol (balancing calf efficiency and breed-back of cow)
vi. New/Improved Culling Protocol (appropriate to environment and GMP/operational goals) 
vii. Supplements/Additives 

1. Enzymes/Yeast 
2. Ionophores 
3. Probiotics 

b. Forage Quality 

i. Improved Forage Diversity (part of GMP operational goals); match animal needs with proper forages 

c. Crop Production (Mixed Operation) 

i. Synthetic Fertilizer Reduction 

1. Biologicals/Legume introduction 

ii. No Till/Reduced Till 

iii. Cover Crops (also could apply to grazing lands under Forage Diversity) 

• Step 1: Recruitment and Data Collection

• Recruitment: Under current funding NatGLC will recruit up to 50 ranches in Texas managing approximately 17,000 head of cattle.

• Data Collection: NatGLC will work with each producer to collect operational data through AgriWebb’s platform. Data such as inputs, herd movements, animal weights, and/or pasture/paddock locations, and grazing management approaches.

• Financial Incentive: The producer will receive $5/head payment on top of the no-cost-to-you AgriWebb subscription once baseline data collection is complete.

• Step 2: Implementation and Monitoring

• Technical Assistance (TA): The NatGLC TA providers will help each producer with the development of a new Grazing Management Plan (GMP), or review of a current GMP. If there are operational changes desired, the TA provider will help the producer find financial opportunities to support the changes. 

• Funding Opportunities: Under this program there is a list of eligible practices that can directly create a carbon inset credit with a corresponding financial payment to the producer (financial incentive #2 mentioned above). If that menu of practices does not match the producer’s goals and desires the TA provider can aid in finding the other opportunities.

• Practice Implementation: The NatGLC TA provider will provide technical guidance on practice implementation if the producer chooses to implement one or more of the Legacy Landscapes eligible practices. 

• Step 3: Quantification & Inset Credit Payment 

  Quantification: Operational data collected through AgriWebb will flow to the quantification partner, Regrow, who will quantify the carbon emissions reduction from any eligible practices implemented and generate an inset credit. The producer receives payment for that credit and Purina receives the credit towards their beef emissions reduction goal.

If you are interested in participating in the Legacy Landscapes Project and contributing to sustainable beef production, please fill out the Interest Form to get started.