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This is a collection of trainings, video replays, and information pertaining to the planning, design, and installation/certification of livestock watering practices; namely Livestock Pipeline (CPS516) and Watering Facility (CPS614).

General Livestock Watering Training

1. Tech Talk: Livestock Watering System Planning

• Jeff Duchene, NRCS Grazing Lands Specialist, covers the planning considerations for livestock watering systems. Topics covered include identifying water sources and considerations for ensuring water sources have the potential to supply adequate water for the planned herd size, overview of pipe installation methods, overview of water tank materials, sizing water tanks, and considerations for placement of water tanks within the grazing system. Examples of watering system layouts are provided.

2. Tech Talk: Well System Investigation

• Patrick Schultz, TTCP Engineer, walks through the steps for investigating a residential well system for the purposes of gathering data for livestock watering design. How to conduct a flow meter test as well as other tests for determining flow rate and pressure information are discussed as well as common well system components

3. Tech Talk: Livestock Watering System Design

• Lea Holter, NRCS Assistant State Conservation Engineer, provides an introduction to the pipeline design worksheet. How to use information collected earlier in the planning process to design a livestock watering system is demonstrated. It is recommended to watch the replay of "Tech Talk: Livestock Watering System Planning" first as this video builds off of that one.

4. Solar-Powered Water Systems for Grazing Operations

• Participants in this webinar will learn important considerations in planning for a solar-powered water delivery system for grazing operations, especially in contrast to permanent electrically-powered systems.

Other Related Trainings

1. Tech Talk Replay: Grazing Facilitating Practices Part 1

• Tech Talk Replay from July 13, 2020. Dean Thomas, Lance Smith, Aaron Peter, Amanda Deans, and Pat Schultz reviewed the use, planning, and design of commonly used practices to facilitate prescribed grazing systems. This webinar was a pre-requisite for in-field trainings. Practices covered in this webinar include: Fence (PS382), Heavy Use Area Protection (PS561), Trails and Walkways (PS575), and Stream Crossing (PS578).

2. Tech Talk Replay: Grazing Facilitating Practices Part 2

• Tech Talk Replay from July 20, 2020. Jeff Duchene, Nichole Sternquist, Craig Peterson, and Amanda Deans reviewed the use, planning, and design of commonly used practices to facilitate prescribed grazing systems. This webinar was a pre-requisite for in-field trainings. Practices covered in this webinar include: Water Well (PS642), Pumping Plant (PS533), Pipeline (PS516), and Watering Facility (PS614).

Resources

1. MN NRCS spreadsheet for designing livestock pipeline and watering facilities

• FOTG Design Tool: Section 4 (Practice Standards and Supporting Documents) – Engineering Tools – Livestock Pipeline

2. MN NRCS inventory sheets for documenting water and animal information gathered during a site visit

• FOTG On-Site Inventory Sheets for Prescribed Grazing: Section 4 (Practice Standards and Supporting Documents) – Conservation Practice Standards & Support Documents – Prescribed Grazing (528) – 528 MN GD PG On Site Inventory 2019
• Pipeline Design Inventory Form

3. General Flow Meter Directions

4. Toro Flowmeter Instructions and Parts List

A copy of Karin's presentation can be found here.

1. Cover Crop Benefits and Selection (75 minutes)
   • Eric Yu, UMN Extension presents this webinar on the benefits and selection of cover crops.
2. Strategies for Planting and Terminating Cover Crops (52 minutes)
   • Dean Thomas, Southeast MN Grazing and Soil Health Specialist discusses the best practices for establishing and removing a cover crop.
3. Cover Crop ID (26 minutes)
   • Gabi Bolwerk, Soil Health Educator with UMN Extension presents method, knowledge needed, and resources for Cover Crop ID.
4. Cover Crop Technical Resources (92 minutes)
   • Stephanie McLain, Minnesota NRCS Soil Health Specialist presents FOTG materials related to cover crops including the 340 Practice Standard and Implementation Requirements
5. Herbicide Interactions and Cover Crop Establishment (62 minutes)
   • Liz Stahl, Extension Educator discusses and shares data on herbicide interactions with cover crops.
6. Cover Crop Seeding Tools and Calculators (72 minutes)
   • Stephanie McLain, Minnesota NRCS Soil Health Specialist and Ryan Buetow, Minnesota NRCS State Agronomist demonstrate cover crop seeding calculators and tools.
7. How Cover Crops Fit Into Soil Health Systems (51 minutes)
   • Stephanie McLain, Minnesota NRCS Soil Health Specialist explains the context of cover crops in soil health systems.
8. Cover Crops and Nutrient Management Adaptations (40 minutes)
   • Ryan Buetow, Minnesota NRCS State Agronomist shares perspectives of nutrient management with cover crops in mind. Topics include liming and C:N Ratios.

Dates and Locations:

• June 3, Spring Valley
• July 29, Central Minnesota
• August 11, Bagley/Bemidji

Prerequisites:

In addition to the self paced webinars, attendees should familiarize themselves with the Practice Standards and Implementation Requirements for each facilitating practice. These can be found in Section IV the Minnesota FOTG.

• Grazing Facilitating Practices – Part 1
  • Fence, Heavy Use Area Protection, Trails and Walkways, Stream Crossing
• Grazing Facilitating Practices – Part 2
  • Water Well, Pumping Plant, Livestock Pipeline, Watering Facility