Cost-share Sign-up Do you own land in Greenwood County? Are you interested in improv-ing the environmental quality of your land? If so stop by the conservation office and find out how you could pos-sibly qualify for state financial assis-tance to improve your land.

The Conservation District will be con-ducting a county-wide sign up for in-terested owners and operators to ac-cept requests for state cost share as-sistance beginning June-July for the 2017 program year. The cost share programs are administered by the State Conservation Commission (SCC) through the conservation districts which provides landowners financial assistance to implement approved conservation practices.

These conservation practices must comply with USDA NRCS Field Office Technical Guide Standards and specifi-cations, or other standards specifica-tions approved by the SCC. Applica-tions receiving approval from the Greenwood County Conservation Dis-trict and SCC may start implementa-tion. Any project completed prior to approval by either the district or SCC will not be available for cost share as-sistance. Participating in the sign-up

does not guarantee approval or cost share assistance.

Program funds have been allocated to the conservation. Money comes from the State Water Plan Fund. Any-one interested in receiving cost share assistance from either the Water Re-sources Cost Share Program or the Non Point Source Pollution Program is encouraged to contact the Conserva-tion District Office to sign up.

If you have any questions or concerns about these programs please call the office at (620) 583-6461.“Funding pro-vided by the Division of Conservation, Kansas Department of Agriculture through appropriation from the Kansas Water Plan Fund.”

Cost-Share Percentages After completing an application for cost share assistance the practice will be ranked according to a point system. Higher points result in higher priority to receive cost share. Once the district and the State Conservation Commis-sion have approved the application cost-share assistance is available. Ap-proved practices are paid compared to

Important Dates

April 27– Annual Water Festival

May 30– Memorial Day

June 30– End of 2016 Cost Share Year

June-July ‘17 Cost Share Sign-up

July 4– Independence Day

June29-7/2 Range Youth Camp

July 29-Aug 1- 2015 County Fair

Sept. 5- Labor Day

Sept. – Day on the Farm

Nov.- KACD Annual Convention

Nov.5-Cattleman’s Day

Nov. 5- The Tallest Big Bluestem

Inside this issue

Range Youth Camp ................ 2

Streambank Workshop ........... 2

2015 Annual Report ................ 3

Water Festival …..................... 4

Seeding Dates/Services .......... 5

Award Winner-Kirkhams ........ 6

Award Winner-Haas & Sons ... 7

WRAPS target Map................ 8

WRAPS News ........................ 9

Calibrating Sprayers .............. 10

Receive Newsletters In The Future By E-mail We are asking if you would like to receive the newsletter electronically through email rather than by the postal service. If so, please submit your e-mail address to the gwcokansasconservation@gmail.com. Place subscribe in the subject line or call Keila at 620-583-6461. Thank you for your support of the Conservation District.

2016 Newsletter

Spring is HERE!

Stream Bank Restoration

On October 6, 2015 a Stream Bank Restoration

workshop was held at the Eric Bitler Farm. The

workshop was provided by Kansas Alliance for Wet-

lands and Streams, Greenwood County Conserva-

tion District, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks,

& Tourism, Natural Resource and Conservation Ser-

vice, Greenwood County Extension Service, Kansas

Forest Service, Wildhorse Riverworks, Inc. and Eric

Bitler. College students helped with placing of the

cedar trees along the bank. This workshop showed

the technique to armor the banks from eroding us-

ing Cedar Trees. For more information on this tech-

nique please contact the Eureka office.

Kansas Noxious Weeds: Sericea Lespedeza, Johnsongrass, Field Bindweed, Musk Thistle, Hoary Cress,

Kudzu, Canada Thistle, Bur Ragweed, Russian Knapweed, Leafy Spurge, Quackgrass, Pignut, Bull Thistle

and Multiflora Rose. For more information on controlling these weeds call your local conservation office.

If YOU are interested in plants, livestock, or wild-

life, attend an education event like no other in

Kansas! The camp is open to upcoming high

school sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students

will learn range plant identification, plant growth,

stocking rate determinations, livestock nutrition,

rangeland wildlife management and much more!

All students should contact the local Conservation

District for possible financial assistance. The

camp is sponsored by Kansas Section Society for

Range Management.

There will be field trips and steak dinner for all

campers along with special activities.

Activities include swimming, canoeing, fishing

and hiking! Registration form available at office,

our website or by email request.

Registration deadline is June 1, 2016.

To receive financial support from the

district ALL registration forms MUST

be turned into the

G.W. County Conservation District

by MAY 9, 2016

Registration forms will be approved for financial support during the May 10th meeting. E-mail, drop off at/or mail to Conservation District 1819 E River St Eureka, KS 67045

Kansas Range Youth Camp July 12-15, 2016

Students from Emporia State and Hays University.

Board meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm from October to March; 8:00pm April to September.

2015 Annual Report The Greenwood County Conservation District completed its 65th year of operation on December 31,

2015. Many activities dealing with administering state cost-share programs, watersheds, information

and education projects and maintaining district finances were undertaken. This report contains high-

lights of those activities. For the year 2015 the District received technical assistance from the Natural

Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel, Luke Westerman, Conservationist and Glenn

Bechtel, Soil Technician, in a joint effort to provide customer maximum service for all landowners de-

veloping and implementing conservation plans. The District maintained a close working relationship

with all Farm Service Center personnel, by sharing the responsibilities of day to day office manage-

ment. The District cooperated with other agencies and organizations on many projects. Those includ-

ed the Greenwood County Research & Extension Service, Kansas Forest Service, Kansas Department

of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, Greenwood County Farm Bureau Association, Greenwood County Cattle-

men’s, Cattlewomen’s Associations, and KS Alliance for Wetlands & Streams-WRAPS.

Throughout the year the Conservation District provided support to the Watershed Boards of

Fall River, Walnut-West Creeks, and Otter Creek. For the information and education program, the Dis-

trict promoted the following activities and programs:

Greenwood County Water Festival and helped with the Woodson and Wilson County Water Festival

The Kansas Range Youth Camp promoted and provided scholarships to Haylee Boulanger and

Breann Altis of Eureka.

Display at the Greenwood County Fair on the topics of soil and other conservation practices

Greenwood County Grassland Award for outstanding grass management and good stewardship

Kansas Banker’s Conservation Awards for Soil Conservation

Presented information on trees and water quality to area elementary students

Serves as a local source for native grass, wildflower seeds & geotextile

Sponsored a team from the Madison Ag Club to attend Envirothon competition

Co-organized the Streambank Restoration workshop at Eric Bitler’s Farm

Cooperated with the Kansas State Forestry Service to support and work the Fall Forestry Festival at

the Dean farm north of Madison

The 2016 budget and work plan were approved. Support was received from the Board of Greenwood

County Commissioners granting the District a $500 increase in funds for the year 2016. Training for the

District staff included State Conservation Commission Fall Meeting , KACD fall workshop, KACD Annu-

al Convention and a Quick Books training workshop.

GWCCD prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, politi-

cal beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status.

Cost Share Practices Eligible

Abandoned Well Plugging

Buffer Strips

Critical Area Planting

Dry Hydrant

Fence Field Borders

Filter Strip

Grassed Waterway

Livestock Waste System

Livestock Well

Pasture & Hayland Planting

Pest Management

Pipeline

Pond

Pond Restoration (pipe)

Range Planting

Sediment Control Basin

Tank

Terraces

For a complete listing of the cost-share practices available, please visit the Eureka Con-servation office at 1819 E. River St.

Greenwood County Water Festival

The Greenwood County Conservation District held two Water Festi-

vals for fourth graders from Eureka, Hamilton and Madison. On April

27th Luke Westerman, our local conservationist, gave a demonstra-

tion on the importance of keeping our waters clean and controlling

water pollutants to the Madison school on April 27th. Using a water-

shed model called Enviroscape, the students could see how the

effects of fertilizers, pesticides and waste can contaminate our wa-

ters. Keila Sherman, District Manager, and Mrs. Sheila Hughes, a

Hamilton USD 390 teacher, gave a hands on view of the water cycle.

On April 29th, the conservation district continued their water educa-

tion at the Annual Greenwood County Water Festival. The conserva-

tion office, along with several volunteers presented information on

conserving water, the water cycle, erosion and improving water quali-

ty with wetlands.

After learning the stages of the Water Cycle, the students played a

game called the Incredible Journey. Each child pretended to be a wa-

ter molecule and rotated throughout the cycle. The kids enjoyed be-

ing in the clouds, lakes, rivers and even the ocean.

The Long Haul had children experience the work required to haul

water to the house from a well and the need for conserving. Water

Olympics demonstrated the physical properties of water.

One demonstration was to see how many drops of water

each student could get to stay on a penny.

The Stream Model trailer demonstrated how water

from streams end up in a watershed and how to reduce

erosion of the land. The Clean Machine demonstrated

the importance of wetlands and showed how they filter

pollutants out of water.

Each child received prizes and a backpack for participat-

ing. The district would like to thank all of its volunteers. The festival

would not have been possible without you.

GW County WATERFESTIVAL

Is planned for

APRIL 27, 2016!

Greenwood County Conservation District is a licensed native grass and wild-

flower seed dealer. Seed orders can be placed at anytime.

New this year is Pollinator Mix just for the bees and butterflies!

CRITICAL AREA PLANTING

Planting Date (Statewide)

Cool-season species: Aug 15—Oct 1; Dec 1—Apr 15

Warm-season species: Dec 1—May 15

Bermuda grass sprigs: Mar 1—May 15

Note: An extension of 2 weeks to the cut -off seeding

date may be given by the district conservationist, based on

favorable moisture and temperature conditions.

When it is not practical to wait for the seeding periods as

noted above and at the discretion of the responsible tech-

nician, permanent seeding may be completed as soon as

construction work is completed. Where soil erosion is a

concern or at the discretion of the responsible technician,

mulch will be applied according to Conservation Practice

484, Mulching, and immediately following completion of

the permanent seeding.

FORAGE AND BIOMASS PLANTING

Planting Date (Statewide)

Warm-season grasses. December 1 to May 15

Cool-season grasses. December 1 to April 15 and Au-

gust 15 to October 1

Legumes. December 1 to April 15 and August 15 to

October 1

Note: The responsible technician may extend the

seeding dates two weeks where justified by climatic condi-

tions.

RANGE PLANTING

Planting Date (Statewide)

March 15 to May 15 (Optimum)

December 1 to May 15 (Maximum)

November 1 to December 31 (Frost Seeding introduced

legumes)

Note: The responsible techni-

cian may extend the seeding

dates two weeks where justified

by climatic conditions.

Conservation Seeding Dates Conservation District Services

Find the District on the World Wide Web!

www.facebook.com/

GreenwoodCountyKansasConservationDistrict

www.greenwoodcounty.org

The District has a root plow available year round

to use on your land. Cost is $20 per day of use.

To aide you in reaching all required elements

needed to complete your cost share practices,

geotextile fabric is available for sale. Getotextile

fabric may be sold for gardening or other projects

where you need to have a weed barrier and hold

rock in place.

Grass and wildflower seeds are available to pur-

chase. A seed mixtures of native grasses is avail-

able on hand for seeding pond dams. Seed may

be ordered anytime upon request.

Tallest Big Bluestem Contest

King of the Prairie

The tallest stalk of Big Bluestem in Greenwood

County was declared by the District during the

2015 Cattleman’s Day. The contest is to recog-

nize rancher’s good management and give every-

one a chance to celebrate our amazing prairie.

The entries were displayed at the Greenwood

Hotel. This is a yearly contest centered around

the Cattleman’s celebrations.

The winning lengths were as follows.

Kevin & Carrie Allison with a stalk length of 9’2”

in the adult class.

Kaleb, Isaac & Thomas Arnold (Mike & Pam Col-

linge’s grandchildren) with a stalk length of 8’ 8

5/8” for the youth division.

Allison’s won a steak dinner for Benny’s and the

children received gifts cards for Sonic. Gifts were

provided by Sharp Bros Seed Co.

All winners, enjoy your bragging rights!

Dale & Nancy Kirkham 2015 Grassland Award

By Luke Westerman, District Conservationist, NRCS and Robin Wunderlich, The Eureka Herald

Dale and Nancy Kirkham, longtime residents of rural Eureka, was awarded the 2015 Grassland Award at the Greenwood County Conservation District

Annual Meeting, on Saturday, January 9, for their efforts maintaining 1020 acres, a task they have continued since 1983. Their property is approximately

10 miles east of Eureka.

Dale moved to Greenwood County in 1983 when he accepted the District Conservationist position at the Greenwood County Natural Resources Conser-

vation Service Office, a position he held until his retirement in 2002.

Growing up on a diversified crop and livestock farm in Valley Falls, Dale was exposed to an industry that he would grow to love. He quickly fell in love

with rangeland fields and to this day conducts wildflower and grassland tours and volunteers for the Symphony in the Flint Hills .

Kirkham attended Fort Hays State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Botany and Agriculture. He later received graduate degrees in Range

Management and in Plant Ecology from the University of Wyoming and the University of Missouri, respectfully. He taught biology at Oakland City

College in Indiana and Missouri South-ern for a few years each.

Nancy was raised in Elmdale. Although she wasn’t raised on a farm, she considered her upbringing one that ex-posed her to great diversity. As a young

child, her father took the caretaker position at Camp Wood and the family was able to meet a variety of people. After graduation, Nancy stayed in the

Chase County area and began working in Cottonwood Falls in 1993 as the District Manager. With both Dale and Nancy working for Natural Resource

Conservation Service offices, the two came to see each other at various meetings. A few years later, the couple was united in marriage, however, it was-

n’t until 2000 that Nancy moved to Eureka, as she wanted her daughters to finish their schooling at Chase County. Nancy worked for the Greenwood

County Conservation District for a few years before taking a position at Home Bank and Trust. She worked there until her retirement in 2015.

After Kirkham started his own operation, Kirkham Brangus, he joined his dad and brother in stocker and feeder cattle operations from 1985 to the early

2000’s.

Dale and Nancy own and operate Kirkham Brangus, where they manage a purebred cow-calf and custom grazing operation just east of Eureka. They also

co-own property, which is home to Nancy’s favorite wildflower Deptford Pink, with Dale’s brother and father. They own 400 acres in Greenwood, 310

in Jefferson and lease an additional 620 acres.

The couple actively treat their land for wild thistle, sericea lespedeza and other invasive brush species in an effort to preserve the Flint Hills grasslands.

Dale and Nancy don’t visit a pasture without taking along a pair of loppers to remove the young brush trying to take hold in their pastures. They also

strongly believe in rotating their cattle for the health of the grass. Through education and experience, Dale and Nancy have learned resting the grass in

the pasture is the best thing for it. Rotational grazing allows for the grass to recover from being grazed and build a healthy root system.

Not only does the couple believe in rotational grazing, Dale and Nancy also believe in providing good water quality to the livestock on their land. The

couple have installed an insulated hydrant tank and also have cleaned out all of their ponds. One of the first limited access lanes was installed in the

county by the Kirkhams. A limited access lane controls access to the pond by livestock. A fence is constructed around the pond, and a small lane is left

for the cattle to access the water. The lane is rocked to provide a hardened pad for the livestock to walk on. The cattle tend to get a drink and get out of

the pond due to the rock being uncomfortable on their feet. The water in the pond is much cleaner than ponds that have full cattle access.

An old terrace system was creating problems for their Kirkhams. The terraces were achieving desired results when the field was being farmed. However,

the field was converted to grass and the terrace system was concentrating water leading to gully erosion. The Kirkhams hired a dirt contractor to come

and break the terraces at several locations throughout the field. By breaking the terraces, the water was spread out over the field and not being concentrat-

ed in a few sensitive locations. This work greatly reduced the soil loss from the field and improved with water quality leaving the field.

Burning off the old grass in the pastures is still a priority for the Kirkhams. However, Dale recognizes the timing of the burn is especially important.

Delaying a burn for a couple of years in order to build up enough mulch to carry a fire later in the spring will achieve better results of killing trees than an

early spring fire. The Kirkhams believe fewer, properly timed fires can achieve better results than numerous fires that are applied without a goal. These

fewer fires also achieve better wildlife habitat, reduce soil erosion, and improve air quality.

Proper stocking rates during the growing season allows the Kirkhams to utilize the dormant grass in their pastures through the first part of the winter.

Once the cold weather hits, some supplemental hay is fed. Proper placement of the hay is important to Dale and Nancy. The hay is unrolled in a new

place each time it is provided to the livestock. Spreading out the hay prevents concentrated manure buildup and reduces the chance that the vegetation in

the pastures will be stomped out.

The Kirkham’s have been married for 20 years and they have three daughters Tracey McDermid of Alexandria, Va., Tracy Anderes of Glen Elder and

Randee Watkins of Osbourne. They also have two grandchildren, Raylynn and Lathe. Dale and Nancy plan to continue with their work on the challenges

property ownership brings. The Kirkham’s hard work is evident as you drive across their pastures. The soil yields sufficient vegetation to support a long-

term grazing operation while still protecting the viability of other biological processes on the prairie’s rolling hills. These efforts are why they are deserv-

ing of the 2015 Greenwood County Grassland Award.

Haas & Sons 2015 Water Quality Conservation Award By Luke Westerman, District Conservationist, NRCS and Robin Wunderlich, The Eureka Herald

Five generations of the Haas family were recognized on January 9, 2016, at the annual Greenwood County Conservation District

meeting as winners of the 2015 Water Quality Conservation Award. This hard working family has formed a conservation legacy for

over a century in northeastern Greenwood County. The family began farming in Greenwood County in the late 1800s and the early

1900s as Lloyd’s grandparents settled in the Hilltop and Lamont area.

His paternal grandparents, William F. and Sallie Haas moved to a farm near Lamont in 1903. Lloyd’s father, Taylor, farmed the

Haas farm and in 1919 he married Anna Sauder and purchased the adjoining farm. A farm that Lloyd, his late wife Betty, and his

sons Mike and Mark have expanded over the years. Anna grew up on a farm near Hilltop with her parents, Abe and Julia Sauder.

In 1958, Lloyd purchased half interest in the Sauder Lumber and Grain Company and ran the elevator with Doc Sauder. The grain

elevator and mill happens to be the oldest functional elevator in the state of Kansas. The family operation officially began in 1968

with 13 heifers they acquired from a neighbor. In 1970, Mike bought out Doc Sauder’s half of the elevator and the family changed

the name of the elevator to Haas Mill and Elevator. According to Mike, the elevator was a centerpiece to their operation. “The eleva-

tor was the outlet for the grain we grew and we were able to make feed for our operation as well as other ranchers around the La-

mont area”.

Mike’s son Kane and grandson Quentin are also an important part of the Haas and Son operation, today. Kane joined the operation

in 1989 after returning from active military duty in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Quentin has also helped with the operation in recent

years and currently helps on weekends and breaks while attending college at Allen Community College. Over the years, Haas and

Son has acquired approximately 3,000 acres that they own and approximately 1,000 acres they rent.

The Hasses work together in an effort to keep their operation progressing forward. The success this family partnership has can like-

ly be attributed to each individual having their own interests and specialties they can focus on in the operation. For example, Mark

focuses on the spraying and the grain elevator, Mike focuses on the crops and Kane and Quentin focus on the livestock.

In 1978, Haas and Sons was recognized as the Banker Award Winner for their conservation efforts. Since then, they have expanded

their operation and have adopted additional conservation practices on their operation.

The operation has been in no-till for more than 10 years. Not disturbing the soil is important to saving money in the operation as

well as improving the soil quality for the crops they grow. “I can find earthworms in every shovel full of soil I pull from our fields”,

explains Mike. The Haases have recently been planting cover crops to further improve soil quality as well as providing a high quality

forage for their livestock. The Haases believe the key to reducing soil erosion is to always have something growing in their fields and

protecting the soil surface.

Weather plays an important role in deciding their crop rotation as does the demand for feed grain at the mill. Corn, soybeans and

wheat are their primary crop but also plant oats and alfalfa when the need arises. Rye, tur-nips, beans, peas, and radishes are in-

cluded in their cover crop mix.

Livestock herd management has been a priority for the Haas family. Bulls are selected for the traits necessary to fit into a diverse

operation. In addition, all of the cows are homegrown and an active culling process is in place to ensure only the most productive and

well natured cows remain in the operation. The Haases strongly believe in the importance of rotational grazing. Herds are separated

by age class and are rotated through the different pastures they have acquired over the years.

Mike and Mark recognize the benefit of having a feed mill available to their operation. They are able to mix up a ration that fits

their operation and provide low-cost supplemental feed to their livestock. Sufficient forage and high quality supplemental feed en-

sures the Haases cattle are kept in the best condition possible.

The recent drought has allowed for maintenance to be completed on three ponds in the operation. The Haases recognize the im-

portance of clean water for their livestock and have a watering tank plumbed into a pond. They also have watering tanks connected

to a well and rural water. Sericea lespedeza has been a thorn in Mark’s side. His concern for the potential harm this plant can inflict

has made it a top priority for him in the summer. Countless hours are spent spot spraying this noxious weed. Broad-cast spraying is

done only when the sericea lespedeza becomes out of control and it needs set back.

They also continue to battle the invasive brush species in their pasture, which they do all year round. Chemical spot treatment of

sumac, dogwood and buckbrush keeps them busy during the growing season. During the winter months, clipping hedge, locust, and

cedar is an ongoing job. The family operation currently includes Lloyd of Lamont, Mike and Darlene of Madison; Mark and Marjorie

of Lamont; Kane and Jolene of Madison and Quentin of Madison.

The Haas’ dedication to conservation and their desire to maintain a profitable farming and ranching operation is evident by the con-

servation practices they have installed. Their efforts have made them deserving of the Green-wood County 2015 Water Quality

Award.

--

Bob Culbertson

WRAPS & Wetland Coordinator

Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams

207 Cheyenne Street

New Strawn, KS 66839

620-364-9485

rculbertson@kaws.org

http://www.kswraps.org/faq

A Few Cost Share Practices

Terraces

Watering Facility

Fencing

Pond Restoration

Stream Crossing

Water & Sediment Control

Basin

Filter Strip

Critical Area Planting

Heavy Use Area Protection

Contact the office for the

entire available practice

list.

Un-Wrapping the Potential of WRAPS Landowners in the Toronto and Fall River watersheds have access to financial assistance

that is available at this moment! If you have erosion concerns or water quality concerns

on your land, the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy, WRAPS, may to able

to help you address the issue. Sign up is continuous and projects are reimbursed within

10 days once completed and submitted for payment! On most projects, the financial

assistance is about 70% of the total cost.

The WRAPS program was initiated in 2006 in Greenwood County out of a concern for

the two federal reservoirs in the county and the rate of siltation occurring in the lakes.

Both of these reservoirs are filling with sediment at a high rate and their future is in peril.

Toronto has the highest percent loss of capacity due to siltation at 45%, followed by Tut-

tle Creek (43%), John Redmond (41%) and Fall River (38%). All four of these federal res-

ervoirs are now approaching the 50% mark of sediment in the conservation pool. That

computes to reduced flood control ability and less water available for other uses such as

water supply and fishing.

Both of these watersheds have participated in the monitoring and planning phases and

are now in the implementation phase of WRAPS. The goal now is to put projects on the

land that help reduce the sedimentation and nutrient load that is ending up in Fall River

and Toronto Reservoirs. One of the defining elements of WRAPS is the establishment of

target areas within each watershed. The Target Areas represent the portions of the wa-

tershed that are contributing the most sediment and where projects can have the largest

benefit. This is where WRAPS projects and funds are targeted. However, even if your

land lies outside the target area, you are still encouraged to contact us as other assis-

tance is usually available. WRAPS is just one small piece of the funding puzzle but this

funding is focused on a single goal.

In 2015, WRAPS funding helped in the completion of 8 projects involved in fencing ponds

and providing an alternative water source in the form of a tank or limited access water-

ing lane for livestock. Another project stabilized gully erosion resulting from salt water

leakage over the years near some oil tanks. A total of $28,085 was expended out of the

WRAPS budget, which averages just over $3,000 per project. In addition to these pro-

jects, WRAPS partnered with the Conservation District, NRCS, Extension Service and

several other agencies and landowners to host a Stream Bank Restoration and Protec-

tion Workshop in October demonstrating the use of cedar tree revetments to help pro-

tect eroding and failing steam banks.

In 2016, WRAPS has just over $20,000 in the Toronto Watershed and nearly $16,000 in

the Fall River Watershed available for assisting with projects. In addition to the projects

mentioned above, WRAPS funds may assist with implementing no-till and/or cover

crops, terraces and waterways, buffers of permanent vegetation, relocating livestock

feeding sites, fencing streams and providing an alternative livestock watering site, re-

pairing gully erosion in fields and many other practices.

WRAPS funding comes from Non-Point Source Pollution 319 Grants that are adminis-

tered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The Kansas Alli-

ance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS) is the non-profit organization contracted by

KDHE to coordinate the project in these two watersheds. WRAPS works closely with the

Conservation District and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Greenwood

County on all projects. NRCS standards and specifications are utilized to guarantee a

quality product and ensure longevity.

For more information or a field visit, please contact Bob Culbertson, Project

Coordinator at 620-364-9485 or rculbertson@kaws.org. You may also contact Keila Sherman at the Greenwood

County Conservation District Office in Eureka or Luke Westerman, Supervisory

District Conservationist with NRCS in Eureka.

Their phone number is 620-583-6461. Page written by Bob Culbertson

Preparing to Calibrate. For calibration to be successful, several items need to be taken care of before going to the field. Calibration will not be worthwhile if the equipment is not properly prepared. Calibration should be performed using water only. Follow the steps outlined below to prepare spraying equipment for calibration.

Inspect the sprayer. Be sure all components are in good working order and undam-aged. Pay attention to the pump, control valves, strainers, and hoses. Be sure there are no obstructions or leaks in the sprayer. Be sure all components are in good working order and undamaged. Check all nozzles. Make sure the dis-charge rate of all the nozzles is within 10% of the overall average. Replace or unclog any nozzle that has an uneven pattern.

Check the label of the product or products to be applied and record the fol-lowing: o Application Rate, gallons per acre (GPA) o Nozzle Type, droplet size and shape of pattern o Nozzle Pressure, pounds per square inch (PSI)

Accurate ground speed is very important to good calibration. Set the sprayer for the desired ground speed based on field conditions and run the course at least twice. Average the times required for the course distance and determine ground speed from the equation below.

If the tractor or sprayer is equipped with a true ground speed indicator such as radar or ultrasonic, this speed can be used for calibration. Tractor tachometers, transmission speed charts, and ATV speedometers are often not accurate enough for calibration purposes.

Calculate the application rate based on the average discharge rate measured for

the nozzles, the ground speed over the test course, and the nozzle spacing, or spray swath on the sprayer.

Measure the discharge rate from a single nozzle on the boom. The spray width will be the distance, in inches, between nozzles.

Application Rate (GPA) = x Discharge Rate (GPM)

Measure the discharge rate from all the nozzles on the sprayer. The spray width will be the distance in feet of the effective spray width. Effective spray width on boomless sprayers is usually 80-85% of the total spray width.

Compare the application rate calculated to the rate required. If the rates are not the same, choose the appropriate adjustment and reset the sprayer.

Recheck the system if necessary. Once it is accurate, calibration is complete.

Continued on page 11 of newsletter.

X

Discharge Rate (GPM) = Application Rate (GPA) X Ground Speed (MPH) X Spray Width (FT)

495

Shaun Muncy Excavating 620-490-0791

Francis Chaplin 620-583-3445

Wilson Brothers Construction 620-366-1891

Justin’s Backhoe Service 620-437-2244

Larcom & Sons, Inc. 620-583-2247

Steve Goebel 620-365-9092

Gowen Backhoe 620-437-2250

Thornton’s Backhoe 620-750-0282

John Riggs 620-583-3376

Dirtworks, Zack Marshall 620-340-5788

4F Enterprise, Mike Frakes 620-583-5767

Ryan’s Home Improvement 620-583-9880

Joe Beeman 407-924-4167

Twister Mud, Coulter/Dehlinger 620-750-0882

Meisch Dirt Construction 620-249-4103

Wayne Bailey 620-678-4069

Long Drilling 620-437-7444

Cedar Quest Farm Excavating 620-205-9212

Mike Collinge 620-678-3688

Seth Greenwood 620-583-3338

Clark Bogle 620-583-3137

John Talkington 620-437-2686

Johnson’s Fencing 620-583-9443

Zimmers Fencing 620-583-2122

Kevin Karmann 620-682-5973

Jerry Soule 620-750-0023

Marshall Stauffer 620-437-6816

Craig Reyer 620-341-0273

David Wyckoff 620-583-5336

Ranch Aid 620-583-5585

Melvin Winter 316-772-7614

Dan Thurston 620-437-2027

Cent. Ag Aviation 785-366-0513

Roth Aerial 402-761-2333

Sowder Seed 620-637-2228

Warner Ag Air 620-332-3748

Robert Kurtz 620-583-4445

This list is provided as a service to

landowners who request the names

of contractors doing conservation

work. By providing this list to our

customers, it is in no way serves as

a recommendation of anyone on

this list. We encourage our customers to check references

and get bids from several contractors prior to starting

work.

Did you know? You can refill an 8oz glass of water approximately 15,000 times

for the same cost as a six-pack of pop. An automatic dishwasher uses 9 to 12

gallons of water while washing by hand can use up to 20.

Greenwood County Conservation District

1819 E River St Eureka, KS 67045

Greenwood County Conservation District 1819 E River St, Eureka, KS 67045

gwcokansasconservation@gmail.com

620-583-6461 Monday– Friday 8:00 a.m.— 4:30p.m.

Sericea lespedeza is a state listed noxious weed.

It’s called one of the biggest threats to the tallgrass

prairie in the Flint Hills region. It has a tremendous

growing season in 2015. If you are going to spot

spray with a hand wand, mix 1 oz. of Metsulfuron

Methyl (i.e. Escort) with 100 gallons of water. If you

are going to broadcast spray sericea lespedeza,

apply 1/2 oz./acre of Metsulfuron Methyl. Put 1 qt.

of non-ionic surfactant/100 gallons of water for

both spot spray and broadcast spray. Be sure to

calibrate your sprayer prior to broadcast treat-

ment! Found elsewhere in this newsletter is infor-

mation for calibrating. Don’t feel comfortable do-

ing this for yourself? Please do not hesitate to call

the Field Office in Eureka for assistance.

The Greenwood County Conservation District and the Natural Resources

Conservation Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs and

activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,

disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.

Be On The Look-out For NOXIOUS WEEDS