Drought conditions persist and intensify in north central Oklahoma, with temperatures over 100 degrees and rainfall at only 12% of normal levels. Farmers and ranchers report their crops, livestock, and hay supplies are in much worse condition than the previous year's drought. The drought is threatening spring row crops, soybeans, and native grass pastures, forcing livestock producers to graze CRP lands under emergency approval. The Kay County Conservation District is sponsoring poster, essay, and speech contests for students on the theme of soil conservation.

1. THE PONCA CITY NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012–PAGE 3-C
Drought Maintains Its Grip
On North Central Oklahoma
NEWKIRK — Isolated spots
in Kay County received one-
half inch of rainfall last week,
but not enough, considering
that evaporation rates per
day with the triple-digit tem-
peratures are near the same
amount.
Severe drought grips two-
thirds of the state. The Okla-
homa Mesonet reports that
North-Central Oklahoma has
experienced temperatures
above 100 degrees in July and
has received only 12 percent
of the normal precipitation, a
deficit of nearly three inches
in the past 30 days.
In its July 22 report, the
USDA topsoil and subsoil
moisture conditions are esti-
mated as very short. The U.S.
Drought Monitor is predicting
the drought will continue to
persist and intensify.
Spring row crop conditions
have deteriorated rapidly,
especially double crop soy-
beans. Livestock producers
are noting shortages of hay
and grazing forages.
Susan Henning, District
Manager for the Kay County
Conservation District con-
tacted a few local livestock
producers and farmers last
week to get their take on the
drought situation.
Joe Kreger, manager of
Bois d’Arc Beefmaster Cat-
tle, southwest of Tonkawa,
said he believes his opera-
tion is in worse shape this POLLEN IN the corn tassels was killed due to temperatures in the
year than in 2011. Although 100s, causing this poorly filled ear.
2011 allowed the clean-out of uidated for a pittance of the in her area took advantage of
ponds and early 2012 spring normal market price. the dry ponds last year and
rains helped fill them up for Kreger said “You just have cleaned them out as well, just
livestock water, Bermuda and to trust the Good Lord and be in time to collect the early
native grass pastures are still an optimist to survive in this 2012 rains. Natural springs
set back from last year. business.” in the area, however, have
Kreger said he has not Mimi Aupperle, a cattle stopped running.
been able to replenish hay rancher from the eastern tall- She notes that native grass,
inventories, because they are grass prairie region of the even though in shorter quan-
grazing instead of baling hay county, said recent rains have tity, seems to have been better TEMPERATURES ABOVE 100 degrees, no rain and drying winds have been brutal on crops in Kay County,
meadows. Their only salva- been spotty, but she believes quality forage. Her cows are including this corn crop which has dried up and is starting to fall down. Farmers estimate 10 to 30 percent
tion in 2011 was late rains in this year is much worse than still producing well. Fewer of the normal yield if the corn can even be harvested.
August and September, which last year since the native ranchers are bringing in a
revived the Bermuda grass grasses have not recovered second batch of stockers in early spring rains replen- fields and fears that aflatox- ers affected by the drought,
and delayed feeding hay later from 2011. July due to reduced forage ished the topsoil moisture but in levels may be high. They Secretary of Agriculture Tom
into the fall. Aupperle said she was lucky availability. the subsoil is still depleted have tried harvesting some of Vilsack announced recently
Kreger said these last two that her brome hay benefit- Neal Otto, a local no-till from last year, he said. the corn but the dried stalks that he will allow additional
years are reminiscent of the ted from the early spring 2012 farmer in the Kildare area, “Now with this triple digit break off and plug up the corn acres under the Conservation
1950s, when they would sad- rains and yields were about jokingly says that they are heat and drying winds in 2012, head on the combine. Reserve Program to be used
dle up their horses and let the same as in 2011. It was just “one rain ahead” of last the topsoil moisture is deplet- Steve Wooderson said he for haying or gazing under
the cattle graze the ditches definitely an advantage to cut year. ed,” he said. “Last year there believes that the yields will emergency conditions. CRP
and cattle herds had to be liq- hay early this year. Ranchers This year is different as was no corn harvested. This only be 10 percent to 20 per- is a voluntary program that
year the corn produced small cent of normal. Cooler tem- provides producers annu-
ears, but yields are a third of peratures and rains could al rental payments on their
normal.” still give the first crop soy- land in exchange for planting
Otto said if he had known beans a chance. Double crop resource conserving crops on
how this summer would turn soybeans in the area never cropland to help prevent ero-
out, he would have planted received the much-needed sion, provide wildlife habitat
corn in March instead of rains since planting and many and improve the environment.
April. farmers are abandoning them Haying and grazing will
First crop soybeans are sur- to prepare fields for wheat only be allowed following the
viving but have yet to set on planting. local primary nesting season,
any pods, due to high temper- Dale Wooderson reports which has already passed in
atures, he said. Double crop that at least for some farm- most areas. Especially sensi-
soybeans following wheat are ers, this drought comes on the tive lands such as wetlands,
a loss. heels of a bumper wheat crop. stream buffers and rare
Otto has baled some prairie However, 80 percent of his habitats will not be eligible.
hay, but due to early spring wheat was hailed out. Before producers hay or graze
rains and the thinned grass Steve Wooderson noted the CRP acres, they must receive
stands from last year, cheat milo or grain sorghum was approval from the Farm Ser-
has been a real problem. “holding in there” last week, vice Agency office at 580-362-
Dale and Steve Wooderson, but continued high tempera- 3362.
farmers in the Blackwell area tures and drying winds have Wetlands Reserve Program
and seed dealers for DeKalb also caused it to decline. acres have also been released
corn and Asgrow soybeans, Dale Wooderson agreed for emergency haying and
echo Otto’s predictions of with Kreger that 2012 looks grazing in drought–affected
this year’s corn and soybean like the mid-1950s. He said areas. Approval for haying
crops. that year the soybeans looked and grazing on WRP acres
Dale Wooderson said that like “dried tobacco” in the must be approved through the
only small ears of corn with field. NRCS office in Newkirk at
light test weights are in the To assist farmers and ranch- 580-362-3362.
Drought Hard on Trees Talk To Cover County Conservation District
Irrigation,
NEWKIRK — Trees and shrubs become a permanent part
of the home landscape, adding to a home’s appearance and
increasing its value. But trees also provide shade, reducing
summer cooling costs by as much as 50 percent, reduce wind
Conservation Announces Contests Theme
speed by 75 percent and, in turn, winter heating costs by 25 NEWKIRK — The beginning of school sig- mation on how the Kay County Conservation
STILLWATER — Gardening nals opportunities for students to participate District helps with conservation of natural
percent.
enthusiasts who want to learn in contests sponsored by the Kay County Con- resources and mention the district by name.
Trees also provide privacy, create noise barriers, stabilize
more about water conserva- servation District. The essay must be from 300 to 500 words in
soil and prevent soil erosion, and can provide abundant har-
tion and irrigation should “Soil to Spoon” will be the theme for all length, typed and double spaced with speci-
vests of fruit and nuts for people and wildlife.
make plans to attend the student poster and essay contests this year, fied cover page.
It is estimated that every person would have to plant 45 trees
Brown Bag Lecture Series at as it is the national stewardship week theme. Entry deadline is Sept. 26 to the Kay County
to store the carbon they would be responsible for producing in
The Botanic Garden at Okla- “Making the connection back to the soil, Conservation District Office. Preferred entry
their lifetime, said Susan Henning, director of the Kay County
homa State University Aug. 9. where our food gets its start, is so important,” is by email to kayccd@conservation.ok.gov.
Conservation District.
The event will take place says National Association of Conservation Entries may also be mailed to 5501 North
To protect their investment, landowners should plan for care
from noon to 1 p.m. at the Districts President Gene Schmidt. “The next Pleasant View Avenue, Newkirk, OK 74647 or
and maintenance of landscape plants, especially during times
Education Building at the gar- time you sit down to a meal, take a minute faxed to 580-362-2834. The Newkirk Herald
of drought, Henning said.
den. Guest speaker will be to think about where your food came from, Journal is sponsoring cash awards to the first
Symptoms of a tree under drought stress can come on sud-
Lou Anella, ornamentals pro- and the farmers and ranchers who helped place ($10) and second place ($7) winners and
denly or may take several years to be noticed.
fessor at OSU. produce it.” third place ($5) in each grade level. Area and
“We are probably seeing symptoms show up this summer
Laura Payne, volunteer/ As they work to produce food for the grow- state competitions will also be held.
from the drought last year,” Henning said.
education coordinator at The ing population, today’s farmers and ranchers The Kay County Conservation District
Sudden tree death may be caused from a damaged vascular
Botanic Garden at OSU, said are dedicated to using responsible land-man- Speech Contest will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct.
system due to insects or diseases, such as Dutch Elm Disease.
Anella will give a tour of the agement practices to ensure a sustainable 4 at the Farm Service Center in Newkirk at
Other symptoms include wilting, curling of leaf edges and yel-
OSU Water Conservation and food supply and healthy land and soil for 5501 North Pleasant View Avenue. Students
lowing or scorching of leaf edges or intraveinal areas on decid-
Irrigation Training Center, future generations. enrolled in a public or private school or who
uous trees. Evergreens may display yellowing needles or ones
which is new to The Botanic Kindergarten students will color pictures are home schooled in grades 8-12 within Kay
that turn red or purple. Some leaves may prematurely drop off.
Garden. He also will focus on depicting where our food comes from and how County are eligible to compete in the county
Often the drought will not outright kill a tree, but will set it
water conservation strategies it relates to the soil. These pictures will be speech contest.
up for more serious insect and disease damage in subsequent
for home landscape irrigation. displayed at the Kay County Fair in Blackwell The theme of each speech is anything topic
years, Henning said.
“We encourage those with Sept. 11-15. Each student will receive a blue related to conservation of natural resources.
She advised watering deciduous trees to a soil depth of
an interest in gardening to participation ribbon. Students compete in grade level divisions:
12 inches, saturating the soil within the dripline of the tree
bring their lunch and spend Competitive contests include poster, essay grades 8-10 and grades 11-12. The contest
canopy, increase this by 3 to 5 feet beyond the dripline for
an hour at The Botanic Garden and speech contests. The Kay County Farm is not just for students involved in ranching
evergreens.
in an effort to gain informa- Bureau is partnering with the conservation and/or farming, but all students are encour-
“At least 90 percent of tree roots are located in this top 12
tion they will find valuable for district by providing poster board for the aged to participate to learn how conservation
inches of soil,” she said. “You should plan on watering slowly
their own gardens at home,” posters and medallions for winners in each is important for residents of both rural and
over a period of time to facilitate deep penetration of water
Payne said. “Now that we’re age category at the local level. urban settings and to benefit from the public
into the soil profile, which encourages deeper root growth with
getting into a really dry part First place winners in the local contest speaking experience.
more drought resistance.”
of the summer, the informa- will be eligible to compete at the area level. Resource materials are available at the
A general rule of thumb is to use approximately 10 gallons
tion available at this lecture State and national competitions will also be Kay County Conservation District, Natural
of water per inch of trunk diameter at knee height for each
will be especially beneficial held. The poster contest is open to children Resource Conservation and OSU Extension
watering. Henning said it takes about five minutes to dispense
to gardeners.” in grades kindergarten through 12th grade, offices in Newkirk or students are encour-
10 gallons of water from a hose.
Members of The Botanic with a separate division for special education aged to interview farmers and ranchers, visit
Mulching around trees with 4 inches of organic mulch will
Garden at OSU may attend students. their local libraries and search the Internet.
also reduce moisture loss.
at no cost. Non-members will Area schools will receive an informational The Ponca City News is sponsoring awards
“Be sure mulch is pulled back 6 inches from the trunk of the
need to pay a $5 fee. Pre-regis- packet on the contest. Posters must measure to the first ($25), second ($15), and third ($10)
tree to prevent the harboring of insects or rodents which may
tration is not necessary. 14 by 22 inches. Schools and individual stu- place winners in each division. The top
feed on the bark,” Henning said. “Don’t dig holes in the ground
Steve Dobbs, OSU grounds dents may request poster board directly from two local winners in each division are eli-
in an effort to water deeply. This will only dry out the root zone
and landscape manager, will the Kay County Conservation District office gible to represent the county at the Oklahoma
more.”
speak Sept. 13 about plants at 580-362-2438. Requests for poster board Association of Conservation Districts Area
During times of water restrictions, give trees, especially
used in landscapes to create must be made by Sept. 14. Completed entries II meeting in November in Oklahoma City.
newly planted ones, ones growing in landscape strips by side-
texture and diversity while are due Oct. 5. Posters should be created Participants are asked to pre-register by Oct.
walks or driveways priority over lawn grasses. Lawns can eas-
saving space. using two dimensional art techniques such 1 by contacting the Kay County Conservation
ily be re-established in a couple of months, whereas a tree will
Todd Lasseinge, executive as watercolor, markers, crayons and colored District.
take 20 years to replace.
director of the Oklahoma Cen- pencils. No three dimensional projects will For complete contest details, call the Kay
Postpone fertilizing trees during a drought, which may cause
tennial Botanic Garden, will be accepted. County Conservation District at 580-362-2438
a flush of new growth that the roots may not be able to supply
speak Oct. 11 about the role The Newkirk Herald Journal and the Kay or stop by the office at 5501 North Pleasant
with water, Henning said. Remove dead and damaged limbs to
botanical gardens have in County Conservation District are sponsor- View Avenue in Newkirk.
reduce the chance of secondary insect and disease problems.
preserving horticultural plant ing a conservation-minded essay contest for Susan Henning
For more information about protecting plants in your land-
germplasm. students in grades 6-8. The essay must follow Director, Kay County
scape, call the Kay County Conservation District at 580-362- OSU Agricultural
2438. the theme “Soil to Spoon” and include infor- Conservation District
Communications Services