Date:
7/23/2002 3:03:00 PM
Title:
Nebraska Ranch Receives Regional Environmental Award
Michael and Cynthia Kelly, owners of Kelly Ranch, were recognized for their exceptional environmental stewardship at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) annual summer conference.
Kelly Ranch is a family owned and managed integrated cow/calf and stocker operation, which is located on two nearby ranches on the southern edge of the Nebraska Sandhills. The enterprise has been in the family since 1885. Mike is the third-generation to ranch the land.
The combined ranches include both owned and leased land, comprising approximately 20,000 acres of native Sandhill grass, 500 acres of native meadow hay, 350 acres of irrigated alfalfa and 130 acres of irrigated corn. In addition to the native grasses, livestock are supplemented in the winter months with the meadow hay, alfalfa and corn raised on the ranch.
Sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program recognizes cattle producers whose stewardship practices are inventive, cost-effective and contribute to environmental conservation. The recipients of this top U.S. beef industry environmental award are selected by a committee of representatives from university faculty, federal and state government agencies, and conservation and environmental organizations.
“Kelly Ranch uses many outstanding soil and water conservation techniques that set examples for other farms and ranches to follow,” said Iowa producer and NCBA President Wythe Willey. “The Kellys have demonstrated how producers can run a successful cattle operation while managing resources and implementing environmentally sound practices.”
All livestock are on a planned rotational grazing system allowing the range some rest during the growing season. As a result, the Kellys have realized not only an increase in available forages for livestock, but witnessed an increase in wildlife on the ranch as well.
Ranch enhancements by the Kelly’s include seven miles of cross fencing, 11 livestock water wells, 7,818 feet of livestock water pipeline, 12 new windmills and 19 new livestock water tanks. In addition they have planted 11,178 trees for livestock and wildlife windbreaks. Of these improvements 1.5 miles of fence, new windmills and 2.5 miles of pipeline have been funded through cost-sharing programs with both Environmental Quality Incentive Program and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program funding.
“Partnerships have helped me financially to do things I couldn’t afford to do myself. Improving our ranches by enhancing forage production and utilization, restoring the condition of the riparian areas along the North Platte and Birdwood Creek, enhancing wildlife habitat and protecting the water quality of our aquatic systems are things I wanted to do. I think they are the right things to do,” said Mike Kelly.
The Kelly’s have worked with numerous groups to achieve their production and environmental goals for their ranch, including: The Nature Conservancy of Nebraska, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sandhills Task Force, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District.