NCBA: Iowa Feedlot Wins Environmental Stewardship Award
US - Couser Cattle Company has won the NCBA's Environmental Stewardship Award, for his innovative idea to harvest run-off from his feedlot system.
7 February 2011
1 minute read
Overall, seven producers from across the US, have been recognised for their committment to improving the environmental status of their land.
Bill and Nancy Couser, from Nevada, Iowa, finish over 5,000 head of cattle a year, at their feedlot.
As well as this, the family farm 5,000 acres of corn, soybeans and seed corn.
About 10 years ago, the Couser family started to look at green ways to harvest run-off water from his yards. Over these years he has worked closely with the Iowa Cattlemen Association, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, US Environmental Protection Agency and the University of Iowa.
Now run-off from his yard is filtered through grasses and trees, after which the grass is fed to his cattle.
"This is a very green and efficient system," said Mr Couser.
Since the success of installing this system, visitor from over 49 international countries have visited the farm.
Bill and his family are a perfect example of how important it is to step outside of a comfort zone to make a positive difference in this industry,” said Forrest Roberts, NCBA Chief Executive Officer. “Bill’s partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State University and the US Environmental Protection Agency resulted in innovative technologies that ultimately led to a very significant reduction in feedlot runoff."
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