Date:
2/3/2003 12:00:00 AM
Title:
Nebraska’s Kelly Ranch is Winner of National Environmental Award
Washington, D.C. (January 30, 2003) – Michael and Cynthia Kelly, owners of Kelly Ranch on the southern edge of the Nebraska Sandhills, are this year’s official winners of the National Environmental Stewardship Award. The award winners are being recognized tonight at the 2003 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in Nashville, TN.
The Kelly Ranch, a family owned and managed integrated cow/calf and stocker operation that has been in the family since 1885, is a prime example of exceptional stewardship practices. 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.
"The Kelly family operation was selected as this year’s top national winner for their extensive, long-lasting soil and water conservation techniques, developed and maintained in an especially challenging natural environment – the Nebraska Sandhills," says NCBA President and Iowa cattleman Wythe Willey. "They are an incredible role model for all of us."
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 regional and national 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.
This is the first winner from Region VII, which includes the states of Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota & South Dakota. In another ‘first’, the Kelly operation is also the first regional and national winner to have been nominated by an environmental organization, The Nature Conservancy.
"Cattle producers are the original stewards of the land, and it is rewarding to hear that environmental groups are acknowledging our efforts. We really are moving in the right direction in terms of environmental stewardship when groups such as The Nature Conservancy are not only acknowledging our hard work but nominating cattle producers for awards," says Willey.
"The Kellys have demonstrated how producers can run a successful cattle operation while managing resources and implementing environmentally sound practices," says Willey.
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 Kellys 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.
"I am honored to have been selected from all of the impressive regional winners as this year’s national winner," says Mike Kelly. "I should note that partnerships have helped me financially to do things I couldn’t afford to do myself. These are things that I wanted to do--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. I am glad we can make a difference."
The Kellys 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.
Since the Environmental Stewardship Award Program began in 1991, the common trait among the winners has been the desire to leave the land in better shape for those future generations. While the land itself is the best legacy, the regional and national winners also receive a special symbol of appreciation, bronze sculptures by western artist Vern Friesen. The bronzes will be presented to the winners at this week’s Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville.
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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is the trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.