Rangeland Management Program Carbon Credit South Dakota Mickelson & Company Services

    Conservation Tillage/Grass

    Rangeland

    Methane

    Landfill Gas

    Other

   Mark Mickelson & Company
   101 N. Main Ave.
   Suite 217
   Sioux Falls, SD 57104
   Phone: 605-977-4873
   Fax: 605-335-4982
   Email@mickco.com

Rangeland Management Program

Sample Contract

Brochure/FAQ

Sample Grazing Narrative

Rangeland acres that are sustainably managed may be eligible to earn carbon credits under the protocols recently established by the Chicago Climate Exchange (“CCX”) (www.chicagoclimateexchange.com). In order to consider eligibility for the rangeland program, producers must meet the following criteria:

The acres must be rangeland (not hay-ground or un-grazed grass)
The stocking rates must conform with NRCS guidelines
Pasture rotations and seasonal pasture use must conform with NRCS guidelines
The producer must either have an existing formal written rangeland management plan that complies with NRCS guidelines or commit to adopt one by the next grazing season
The rangeland must be located in an eligible land resource region (see map below)

Enrollment of rangeland acres involves a five year commitment by the producer to comply with the requirement of the adopted rangeland management plan (i.e. affecting stocking rates and rotations).

In general, rangeland located in an eligible land resource region may earn carbon credits at a rate ranging between .12 and .27 tons (carbon credits) per acre. See map below.

Mickelson & Company’s Spring 2009 rangeland pool closes April 15^th, 2009.

Rangeland that meets all of CCX’s criteria may be eligible to claim carbon credits for years prior to 2008 (back as early as 2003) provided the producer can demonstrate both (1) the adoption of a qualifying third party rangeland management plan at such earlier time and (2) physical evidence of compliance with this plan. Picture of plant growth (for each year) or physical records of herd size and pasture rotations (for each year) are examples of physical evidence that may be deemed sufficient to demonstrate compliance with a prior adopted third party plan.

The change in a rangeland management practice after January 1, 1999 that results in the restoration of previously degraded rangeland after such date may result in the issuance of carbon credits at a higher rate (between .20 and .52 tons/carbon credits per acre, again see map below). The rangeland must have significant evidence of bare spots, soil erosion or livestock production impacts to consider eligibility prior to the change. Consult the posted documents above, CCX web-site, or a Mickelson & Company representative if you wish to consider eligibility under the restoration of degraded rangeland status.

To proceed with enrollment you will need the following:

A one page written narrative of your ranching operation (see above for example)
A map documenting your eligible acres
Legal description of your eligible acres
Your to-date pasture rotation records (and anticipated remainder of the year pasture rotation records). If claiming prior year’s eligibility you will need either prior year’s pasture rotation records or other physical evidence of plant health (i.e. pictures).
A copy of your written third party plan (if adopted)
A completed and signed application for enrollment (contract). See sample contract above for a copy of a contract that may be used.
Once your application is accepted and deemed complete, Mickelson & Company will want a copy of a deposit slip for directing electronic payment.

Mail a copy of your documentation to Mickelson & Company at our posted contact information and indicate the best time to reach you with follow up questions.

Land leased from third parties is generally eligible. Mickelson & Company advises obtaining the consent of your landlords prior to enrolling your leased acres (a written consent form is included in the contract, but a written consent is not required in every instance). Land leased from the federal government is generally not eligible, nor is land leased from the state (unless the state has joined CCX).

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