Tree Planting/Shelterbelts

Planting shelterbelts can have positive impact on our environment. They can increase soil moisture, prevent soil erosion and provide habitat for wildlife. Here are ways that you can determine if you need to plant a shelterbelt.

• Driveway drifts in every winter

• Equipment yard is under snowdrifts

• High heating and cooling costs

•Topsoil is blowing over your property line

A wide variety of trees are available that can be used for ornamental, fruit production, wind protection and soil erosion prevention. Please contact us for a complete list of trees and to help with shelterbelt site planning. PFRA (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration) will supply plastic mulch that will eliminate competition from weeds and provide moisture and warmth to the soil promoting vigorous growth. KCD also has a tree planter that can be utilized. This, the mulch and trees are provided free of charge.

Swath Grazing

KCD has launched a swath grazing program that is directed at livestock producers within the RM of Kelsey. The program will address issues such as: winter watering systems, purchase of seed, fertilizer, portable windbreaks, external and internal electric fencing. Producers who are currently swath grazing and those who are not, both qualify for the program.

The benefits of swath grazing are many and the advantages start during the haying season. Instead of feeding hay bales every day a portable electric fence is moved every 2 ­ 7 days during the winter on the swathed field. Commercial fertilizer inputs will be reduced after a few years because the livestock will naturally apply their own. Cattle that spend part of the winter on swaths are cattle that are not in the yard adding to the manure pile. This will be a cost savings during summer cleanout. Swath grazing ensures that there will be cover on the ground during the fall, winter and spring when soil erosion is most prevalent.

With any practice there are some down sides and one must be prepared to deal with them. On severely cold windy days cattle are reluctant to feed in swaths, so supplemental feeding may be necessary. Drifting, crusted and deep snow may not necessarily stop swath grazing but will require additional effort by the producer.

Upon the approval of the District Board, KCD will contribute the following:

• 50% of seed or fertilizer to the maximum of $1000

•75% for the purchase of fencing supplies (includes external fencing) to a maximum of $1000. Producers will provide their own energizer.

• 50% of cost towards portable windbreaks up to maximum of $1000

• 75% of cost to install a winter watering device located away from farm site to a maximum of $2500

Please stop by the office and fill out an application.

Burdock Control (New Program)

Common Burdock’s prickly seed heads are designed for dispersal, readily attaching to whatever animal brushes past. Heavily burred cattle can experience eye, nose or mouth injuries becoming stressed and aiding in the spread of the weed. Burdock is an aggressive plant with the ability to out-compete native plants in riparian areas that are critical to soil stabilization and habitat for wildlife. Prevention is the best way to hinder the spread of burdock. We have partnered with PFRA to build a sprayer that can be used to help prevent the spread of common burdock within the District boundaries. The unit, which was built onsite at the local Community Pasture, is tractor pulled with a 100-foot hose and gun that can be used to get into treed areas. Please call the office if you would like to use the sprayer or if you would like more information regarding this program

Composting (New Program)

These days with the help of recycling and composting, minimal garbage is being thrown into landfills. Many of us who wanted to compost now can as Kelsey Conservation District covered 50% of the cost. Composting is the decomposition of plant remains and other once-living materials to make an earthy, dark, crumbly substance that is excellent for adding to houseplants or enriching garden soil. It is the way to recycle your yard and kitchen wastes.

Deadstock Composting (Demonstration)

Since the onset of BSE and the border closure many farmers have been left with over crowded corrals as well as more dead stock then ever before. There are four approved methods of animal carcass disposal. These are rendering, incineration, burial and composting. The most likely choice for disposal is burial with some Municipalities accommodating animal carcasses but in our region this is not an option. This brings us to composting. Composting is an aerobic process that uses oxygen to stimulate growth of bacteria that decomposes plant and animal material, while minimizing the creation of foul odors. Proper composting requires the correct balance of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and water to feed the bacteria as they work. The "fuel" is often wood shavings or straw. The compost pile must be stirred or turned regularly to provide adequate oxygen. Temperatures in the compost pile will approach 65 degrees C. The time period to compost livestock will be two to three months. The end product can be applied to land as a fertilizer. Kelsey Conservation District would like to set up a demonstration plot of this process within the RM of Kelsey. If you are at all interested in hosting this site please call our office and talk to the Manager.

Heavy Harrow

The main purpose of this program is to help spread crop residue. Kelsey Conservation District will cover 50% of the cost for a maximum two-day rental of a heavy harrow. With this attachment one can also direct seed a field that you may not be able to otherwise with the proper equipment. Kelsey Conservation District implemented a heavy harrow program for several additional reasons. Some of these include: soil conservation by reducing runoff and wind erosion as well as the additional cover that is left on the field will also provide some foraging opportunities for wildlife.

Soil Sampling

Over application of fertilizers on agricultural fields can lead to leeching of nutrients into ground and surface water, which can lead to detrimental effects on the environment. Proper application of these fertilizer levels lessens and eliminates leeching. To help eliminate leeching KCD will provide soil sampling assistance to landowners. A technician will come and take the sample, which will be then shipped out for testing. The sampling must be done on either annually cropped land or forage fields and does not apply to recreational cropping (private gardens). A landowner can be reimbursed for up to $200.00 annually for this program.

Native Grass Reestablishment

Native Grasses have evolved to be the most efficient for this areas environment. In projects where producers wish to reestablish native grass on pastures or as forage the District will cost share up to 50% on 20 acres. The seed used in this reestablishment must be certified seed. The area of land seeded to native grass will be subject to a 10-year agreement that does not allow for the removal or unnatural disturbance of this project. The terms of the project will be outlined by the Kelsey Conservation District agreement with the participating landowner.

Rotational Grazing

Kelsey CD will help to design rotational grazing plans, and will pay a portion of fencing costs for interior fencing in pastures, to allow livestock producers to manage their pastures for greater sustainable yields. The District will also sponsor educational workshops to illustrate rotational or cell grazing techniques to farmers.

Program Objectives:

• To maintain productive forage cover on lands that would otherwise be prone to erosion.

•To protect the soil on less productive or sensitive land with vigorous plant cover.

• To enhance overall economic production because rotational grazing systems allow for greater stocking rates per unit area of land.

Eligibility:

• All applications must be made out by the owner of the land;

• Crown Land must be made out in the Leaser’s name;

•Late applications not accepted;

•Land must be within the Kelsey Conservation District

For more information regarding the terms and conditions for this program, please call or stop by the District Office.