FARMS AND AGRICULTURE

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The copious rainfall along the North Coast results in lush pastures, largely responsible for the predominance of dairying in this area. However, the raising of meat animals, both sheep and cattle, is rapidly becoming a close second in importance to timber. Along the lower Columbia and in the northern Coastal valleys, production of Bent grass seed, narcissus bulbs, cranberries, and milk add significantly to the farm income. In Clatsop, Tillamook, and Lincoln counties; there are a total of approximately 90,000 acres zoned as Exclusive Farm Use.

Grazing cattle, especially dairy cows, are common throughout Oregon's North Coast in low-elevation and low-gradient areas such as the land around Tillamook Bay. This means cattle are often pastured in pastures adjacent to tidal waters and small coastal streams. Cattle grazing can have several impacts on the watershed and its fauna including salmon.

• Grazing vegetation and trampling stream banks can change the shape of the streams channel, making it less suitable for salmon survival
• Eating or crushing plants that provide shade can lead to warmer water
• Removing streamside vegetation deletes an important source of nutrients for aquatic insects that salmon feed on
• Fecal inputs and sediment caused by trampling alters a streams water quality

In the Tillamook Watershed, good water quality is critical for the health of the bays shellfish. The conflict between dairy and shellfish interests leads to cooperation on finding better solutions to prevent runoff from agriculture lands.

Sources

Compiled by John Ame, Science Writer (2007); Revised by Janet Webster, Head Librarian, Guin Library

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