Hector Grazing Association

Hector Cooperative Grazing Association
54 Years of Public Grazing
Finger Lakes National Forest, New York

Marvin Morton, President
7384 Rt 414 Ovid, NY 14521

Jim Fravil, Secretary/Treasurer
607.582.6881
Beltzler Road Lodi , NY

Charlie Baldwin, Ranch Manager
Hector Grazing Association
5046 Rt1 Searsburg Rd.
Trumansburg, NY 14886
607.387.9822

Livestock grazing is permitted under a lease agreement between the USDA Forest Service and the non-profit Hector Cooperative Grazing Association. Members bring their beef and dairy cattle to National Forest pastures from May 15 to October 15. Public use of the pastures is welcomed year round, please keep gates closed and avoid cattle during the grazing season.

Link to the USDA Forest Service Hector Grazing info:

The Hector Cooperative Grazing Association is one of the oldest public grazing facilities in the country. They were incorporated in April 1946 for area farmers, who utilized 1,700 acres of grazing land of the State of New York. From 1939 through 1971, the cooperative made use of other resources of the land by harvesting timber, cutting and selling posts, leasing hay lots, and cutting and selling Christmas trees and firewood.

In 1941, sheep were the primary livestock grazed by the Co-op. The cattle included both beef and dairy and small herds of horses. The initial numbers of members were 138 but dropped to 64 in 1992. Currently, there are 35 dues paying members.

Today the Association grazes 4,500 acres with 35 pastures and 80 miles of fence. The Association is administered under a one-term grazing permit and manages the allocation of the cattle to the members. The Association provides the greatest flexibility and ease of management of the Finger Lakes National Forest.

The required range improvements are constructed and maintained through the utilization of Fee Credits allowed toward the annual grazing fee in accordance with Forest Plans and Allotment Management Plans. National Forests and Land Utilization Projects in the Eastern United States strategically utilize this direction to maintain needed range improvements and grassland openings. Each year District Ranger Twarkins and her staff works with the Association Board of Directors to negotiate the range improvements to be maintain or constructed and the amounts of Fee Credit needed. Usually, up to one year of Fee Credit is allowed.

Without mowing, ragweed and goldenrod will become dominant. Mowing is an approved practice. Pastures are mowed to keep invasive species (ragweed and goldenrod) in check. Without mowing, ragweed and goldenrod will become dominant. Mowing is coordinated with the nesting requirements of birds species. A distinct habitat relationship with upland birds exist with the grass and forb communities. The mowing of tall-grass forb pastures was found to be critical for the Henslow's and Grasshopper sparrows according to Dr. Charles Smith, Cornell University.