"Grazing for Wildlife" Field Day
near Burwell
June 24, 2015
A field day near Burwell was held on June 24 will show how ranches can manage grazing to benefit not only cow herds, but also other grazing animals and wildlife that depend on grassland habitats. Click here for agenda. See "RESOURCES" below for presentations and webinars.
The Grazing for Wildlife Field Day at the Calamus Outfitters near Burwell provided hands-on demonstrations of several key ideas:
–¢ What is healthy habitat for upland pastures, wetlands, and shelterbelts;
–¢ How healthy and diverse grasslands provide healthy and diverse habitat for wildlife;
–¢ How grazing can impact and create prairie chicken nesting and chick raising sites.
This program was organized by Nebraska Extension and was free of charge, thanks to support from the World Wildlife Fund.
Topics included:Grazing Effects on Prairie Chicken Habitat. Grassland bird habitat is affected by grass height, cover density of the vegetation, and plant type. Walt Schacht, UNL Professor of Rangeland Science, is collaborating with Larkin Powell, UNL Professor of Wildlife, and graduate students to study the effects of livestock grazing on habitat and behavior of greater prairie chickens.
Nebraska has one of the largest populations of greater prairie chickens in the country. Identifying habitat requirements for leks (booming grounds), nesting, and brood rearing are important for increasing prairie chicken populations. Schacht drew on research at the UNL Barta Brothers Ranch and surrounding area on grazing and habitat of prairie chicken and other upland birds to discuss how grazing and birds can work together.
Did you know prairie chickens begin nesting as early as March? Powell discussed the life of the prairie chicken, from egg to adults.
Wildlife enterprises on the ranch: Bruce and Sue Ann Switzer have experience establishing multiple enterprises on their ranch. The Switzers wanted to bring their children back to the ranch, and started the additional enterprises (birding, lodging, tanking and tubing), which brought son and daughter, Adam's and Sarah's, families back home. Jeep tours, hunting, and birding are part of everyday life on the Switzer Ranch. The Switzers gave their insight on starting these enterprises.
Common questions about insurance. If wildlife enterprises are added to a ranch, what are some insurance uncertainties?
Shelterbelts and habitat. U.S. Forest Service personnel talked about enhancing shelterbelts (for wind control) to provide food and shelter for wildlife.
Maintaining diversity of plants is key for healthy wetlands. Haying and grazing can enhance wetland diversity and create a better habitat for wildlife. Wetland rehabilitation can bring life back into your lowlands.
Resources
PRESENTATIONS:
- Switzer Ranch to Calamus Outfitters- adding enterprises to your ranch, Sarah Sortum (PDF)
- Grazing for Prairie Chicken Habitat, Walt Schacht, UNL (PDF)
- Life of a Praire Chicken, Larkin Powell, UNL (PDF)
- Agritourism Liability- Common Insurance Questions about adding enterprises to your ranch, Jay Jenkins, Nebraska Extension (PDF),
- Wetlands are Wonderful- Bill Vodenhal, Nebraska Game & Parks (PDF)
- Shelterbelts for Wildlife Habitat- Rich Woollen, US Forest Service (PDF)
WEBINARS: