A Publication of Flint Hills Resource Conservation & Development Inc.

Volume 2, Issue 1

Chief Editor - Paul Ingle

Spring 2011

In this issue: RC&D Program Gets Axed • Earl • Woodlands Management • Are We Adequately Feeding Our Livestock? • Watershed Planning • WRAPs a Team Effort • School Excel at Environthon • Events Calendar

RC&D Program Gets Axed

One of the causalities of the latest federal budget cuts is funding for the USDA Resource Conservation and Development Program. Fortunately, it will NOT shut down the Flint Hills RC&D operation. We will continue to serve our eight WRAPS projects as well as other programs.
However, it does mean we will likely be moving our home office out of the USDA Service Center in Emporia, and we have lost our NRCS coordinator, Tom McGuire.  Tom's duties have been moved to other programs within NRCS.

If you reside in any of the nine Flint Hills RC&D Counties and have an interest in rural development and natural resource conservation the Council is always looking for new members. Call our home office at 620- 343-3570 for more information or check out our website

Woodland Management in the Tallgrass Prairie

Woodland management in the tallgrass prairie is often overlooked. In fact I often hear landowners call their woodlands “wasteland”. From a scientific watershed perspective they are a key component to a healthy watershed. Most commonly, in the tallgrass prairie these woodlands (or as I sometimes call them “micro-forests”) occur along stream corridors and are usually referred to as riparian forests.

These the land area only occupy a small percentage of the land area, but they offer a multitude of services and functions to the watershed: Such as: remove and reduce pollutants, trap sediment and moisture, protect and stabilize stream banks, increase subserfuace water storage, dissipate stream energy, improve, forage quality and quantity, provide critical wildlife habitat, and keep water temperatures cool.

These riparian areas are usually ignored and receive little to no management. A healthy riparian corridor should have adequate width (rule of thumb 2x stream channel width); a diverse tree and shrub community; stable streambank vegetation; a well developed understory; and a deep forest litter layer. There are three components of woodland management that should be considered: Inventory & Planning; Protection; and Implementation.

Inventory and Planning:  It is highly recommended to contact a professional forester to come out and assist with an inventory and develop a timber stand improvement plan. The Kansas Forest Service can provide you a list of professional foresters. First of all establish what your goals are for the woodlands. Is it just to have good diverse woodland for general wildlife habitat and firewood; or is it to raise timber or nuts for cash crops; or is it both?

The plan should include marking trees that are currently harvestable; good potential crop trees for future harvest; trees that need to be culled; and trees that need to be pruned. The inventory should document tree species diversity and numbers of each variety of trees and shrubs. Is there a good mix of age in the woodland? Is there a good understory of shrubs, grass and litter? The diagram below gives an example of a tree culling plan. A wolf tree is a tree may be of poor economic value that is out of proportion and is shading out other good quality trees.

If the timber stand is in a riparian area, perhaps the size (width) of the woodlands needs to be expanded. Do more trees need to be planted; or do you want to let natural regeneration to occur through succession?

Protection:  There are a number of destructive agents that can harm woodlands in the Flint Hills that include: fire, beaver, deer, and indiscriminant use of herbicides. Livestock tend to hang out in the riparian woodlands during the hot summer months, so try and avoid this time of year when grazing; or you may want to just fence out your woodlands from livestock.

There is anecdotal evidence that livestock can improve woodland if it is periodically flash grazed for a few days. Utilizing the woodlands by livestock during the dormant season is another option. Bulls may tend to excessively rub on good trees.
Though it may be argued our Flint Hills woodland riparian areas have always experienced fire at some time; frequent fire is not beneficial. So, when burning the adjacent rangelands, have a fire break between the grassland and woodlands.
There are a wide variety of tree protection measures which can be used to protect damage by wildlife. There are tree tubes that can be placed around young trees; wire cages can be placed around trees to protect from deer and beaver damage. Check with your local forester for more protection measures.

When spraying any herbicides in and around your woodlands, read the label, and avoid spraying on windy days. When culling trees also be aware of which trees are apt to resprout (i.e. locust, hedge, honey suckle). Apply a labeled herbicide to the stumps immediately after cutting to prevent resprouts.

Implementation:  Once you have your plan developed and protection measures in place; get your chain saw sharpened, lobbers and pruners lubed and get to work. Undesirable trees can be cut down or girdled. Girdling is the process of cutting ring all the way around a tree trunk about 1 inch deep. Some tree species will require a double girdle or a follow up with a herbicidal spray. Good crop trees should be pruned up to nine feet in height ant try and leave 3-5 feet between the tree crowns. Never prune over one half of the total tree height. Remove any vines from good quality crop trees.

Large old dead trees do provide good wildlife habitat so leave some standing and brush piles make good wildlife habitat. If new trees need to be planted, the fall or spring is the best time. Tree seedlings can be purchased through the Kansas Forest Service. And last but not least; take some time and enjoy the time spent out in the woods. Happy Logging!

For more information Contact the Kansas Forest Service: (KFS) 2610 Claflin Road, Manhattan, KS 66502 785 532 3300 or visit the website

Portions of this article came from:
Improving Your Woodland for Timber Production:
KFS/KSU L-725, November 1999 Riparian Forest Buffers: KFS/KSU MF-2746, July 2006 Woodland Management for Farms and Ranches: KFS/KSU – C-672, October 2006

Are We Adequately Feeding Our Livestock Down Under?

On March 9th a group of over 80 farmers gathered in Emporia to learn more about the livestock down under, as well as other benefits offered by cover crops. I had never thought of soil “microbes” or “soil bugs” as livestock, but essentially they are “live” and they do eat organic material just like the above ground livestock do. These underground livestock include a wide variety of organisms and include: bacteria; protozoa; nematodes; earth worms; fungi; and arthropods.    A diagram of the soil food web is shown below.

The fuel for these livestock comes from organic matter.  Of all the components of soil, organic matter is probably the most important and most misunderstood. Organic matter serves as a reservoir of nutrients and water in the soil, aids in reducing compaction and surface crusting, and increases water infiltration into the soil. Yet it's often ignored and neglected. Many times we think of organic matter as the plant and animal residues we incorporate into the soil. Leaves, manure, or plant parts are actually organic material, not organic matter. Organic material is anything that was alive and is now in or on the soil. For it to become organic matter, it must be decomposed into humus. Humus is organic material that has been converted by microorganisms to a resistant state of decomposition.    It takes about 10 pounds of organic material to decompose and make one pound of organic matter or humus.

Organic material is unstable in the soil, changing form and mass readily as it decomposes. As much as 90 percent of it disappears quickly because of decomposition.  The remaining ten percent of the organic matter or humus is stable in the soil. Usually, only about 5 percent of it mineralizes yearly.    That rate increases if temperature, oxygen, and moisture conditions become favorable for decomposition, which often occurs with excessive tillage. It is the stable organic matter that is analyzed in the soil test. Therefore, it is extremely important to be adding new organic material to the soil and continually feed the under ground livestock. More livestock feed results in healthier, more abundant and diversity of underground livestock. It is amazing to me how fast crop residue will decompose in a long-term no- till field without any tillage.

In addition to feeding the livestock organic matter has multiple benefits. Such as:

• Nutrient Supply - Organic matter is a reservoir of nutrients that can be released to the soil. Each percent of organic matter in the soil releases 20 to 30 pounds of nitrogen, 4.5 to 6.6 pounds of P2O5, and 2 to 3 pounds of sulfur per year.
• Water-Holding Capacity - Organic matter behaves like a sponge, with the ability to absorb and hold up to 90 percent of its weight in water, and then release it to the plants later.
• Soil Structure Aggregation - Organic matter causes soil to clump and form soil aggregates, which improves soil structure. With better soil structure, permeability (infiltration of water through the soil) improves, in turn improving the soil's ability to take up and hold water.
• Erosion Prevention - Increasing soil organic matter from 1 to 3 percent can reduce erosion up to33 percent.

How to Maintain or Improve Soil Organic Matter:
Building soil organic matter is a long-term process but is beneficial for the soil livestock; the environments, and ultimately your checkbook. Here are a few ways to do it:

• Reduce or Eliminate Tillage - Tillage improves the aeration of the soil and causes a flush of microbial action that speeds up the decomposition of organic matter. Tillage also often increases erosion. No-till practices can help build organic matter.
• Reduce Erosion - Most soil organic matter is in the topsoil. When soil erodes, organic matter goes with it. Saving soil and soil organic matter go hand in hand. Plant those areas that tend to get ephemeral gullies to a perennial grass cover.
• Soil-Test and Fertilize Properly - You may not have considered this one. Proper fertilization encourages growth of plants, which increases root growth. Increased root growth can help build or maintain soil organic matter, even if you are removing much of the top growth.
• Plant Cover Crops - Growing cover crops can help build or maintain soil organic matter. However, best results are achieved if growing cover crops is combined with tillage reduction and erosion control measures. In addition cover crops can offer soil surface protection; nutrient building; and a potential seed or forage crop for the farm’s cash flow. In Kansas there is the potential to be growing something on your crop fields nine months out of the year. For best results plant a “cocktail” mixture of seed types (i.e. legumes, grasses, brasicas)

A good high level supply of soil organic matter is very beneficial in farming. Consider the benefits of this valuable resource and how you can manage your operation to build, or at least maintain, the organic matter in your soil. You have to feed those soil livestock if you want them to work for you.

Portions of this article came from “What Does Organic Matter Do In Soil?” Funderbug, Eddie: © The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.

Watershed Planning, A Key to Attaining Water Quality Standards

Currently, the State of Kansas is overseeing about forty Watershed and Restoration and Protection (WRAPs) projects. Each of these projects either has in place, or is working on a watershed plan. Watershed plans provide the framework for effective implementation of best management practices (BMPs) as well as information and education activities (I&E) within watersheds to address the impaired waters in these areas. Kansas is leading the nation in developing these plans.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified nine key elements that are to be included within watershed plans utilizing Clean Water Act section 319 funds. The key elements that are to be included in all WRAPs approved watershed plans are as follows:
Identification of causes of impairment and pollutant sources, and other goals identified in the watershed plan.

1. An estimate of the pollutant load reductions expected from conservation management measures.
2. A description of the BMPs that will need to be implemented to achieve load reductions and a description of the critical areas which need treatment.
3. Estimate of the amounts of technical and financial assistance needed to implement the plan.
4. An I&E component used to enhance public understanding and encourage participation in the process.
5. A schedule for implementing the BMPs identified in the plan that is reasonably expeditious.
6. A description of the interim measurable milestones for determining whether goals are being achieved.
7. Criteria used to determine if substantial progress is being made toward attaining water quality standards.
8. A monitoring component to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation efforts over time.

We need everyone’s help in achieving the goals established in these plans. We all live in a watershed; therefore bear a responsibility in keeping our house clean and healthy. In addition, with both state and federal funds for conservation shrinking, we need to show our legislative leaders we are effectively and prudently using tax dollars. If you know of any areas in your watershed which need attention, please contact us.

-Plans are worthless; planning is everything.  Dwight D. Eisenhower

WRAPs is A Team Effort

Flint Hills RC&D may be the chief coordinator for eight WRAPS projects in our region, but we would not be able to implement the watershed plans developed without it being a team effort. Major team players include our Flint Hills County Conservation Districts, NRCS, and our county K-State Extension agents. Support players also include: Kansas Forest Service; KDHE Watershed Management Section and numerous other technical service providers. The WRAPs Team recently added a new player when the cluster counties of Chase, Lyon, and Morris hired Lisa Wainwright as the new conservation technician. Lisa has a degree in Agriculture from Kansas Sate, and is married to Dan Wainwright. They have a small but growing ranch in Morris County.  Welcome aboard Lisa

Once Again, Flint Hills Schools Excel at Environthon

Mission Valley (2nd) (Wabaunsee County), White City (5th) (Morris County), and Northern Heights (7th) (Lyon Co.) all finished in the top ten at the State Environthon Competition at Salina.    Junction City and Hillsboro also competed at the competition.  The Cannon Environthon is an outdoor, environmental high school competition where teams of five students work collaboratively to develop their knowledge of environmental science and problem solving skills. Categories include aquatics, forestry, soils, and wildlife. Congratulations!

Calendar of Events

July 5-8 - Kansas Range Youth Camp  at Camp Mennoscah, Murdock, KS, For High School Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors. Cost: $220. Contact Alex Miller (785) 457-3661 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Scholarships available with WRAPS Flint Hills RC&D.

August 16-18 – Tallgrass Range School; YMCA Camp Wood, Elmdale, Chase County. Cost $300; Scholarships available. For more information contact: contact Tim Christian at (620) 241-3636 or Ken Sherraden at (785) 922-7061. Visit www.kglc.org

August 19th - Grazing Workshop, Emporia: This will coincide with the Flint Hills Beef-Fest. Jim Gerrish, a well known grazing educator from Idaho, will be in Kansas the week of August 15-20th. Times and location will be forthcoming.

Sept. 16–17 – Grassfed Beef Conference, Norfolk, NE: For more information about the upcoming seminar, visit www.grassfedexchange.com or call Carol Peters at 402-582-4866.

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Flint Hills RC&D Staff: Watershed Coordinators: Angela Beavers, Scott Jones, Bernie Obermeyer, Paul Ingle, and Peggy Blackman; Admin. Assistant: Lori Barr.

Financial assistance for newsletter has been provided through an EPA Section-319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant administered through a grant agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.    USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.