Ranch sustainability strategies, Kansas Extension priorities and a web mapping tool for cow-calf wintering practice improvements

Abstract

Sustainability of beef cattle production is a prominent issue of interest among scientists, consumers, retail corporations and producers. Stewardship practices of cow-calf producers are uniquely suited to provide critical ecosystem services (USRSB, 2019). Two Extension publications describing two general ranch sustainability strategies were drafted from two literature review subjects. One is community oriented, and the other is an ecologically oriented approach to supporting prairie rangeland stewardship. Two other, more specific, cow-calf ranch sustainability concerns were also reviewed: water quality associated with winter feeding practices, and eastern redcedar prairie forestation. Survey research on related Extension education needs was analyzed and used along with the literature reviews to guide the selection of one of the review subjects to become the selected concern to address with aid of a web mapping application. The web mapping tool facilitates decision making about winter feeding practices and their impact on water quality. Extension program prioritization survey analysis answered these survey research questions: 1) how do Kansas beef cattle owner respondents rank the importance of a) animal wellbeing, b) environmental policy, c) grassland, d) trees, e) water, f) invasive species, g) soil, and h) wildlife; and 2) how do these rankings differ from those of non-beef cattle owner respondents. Results suggest that grassland, water, soil, and animal wellbeing could be considered Extension education needs important to Kansas beef cattle owners and to other Kansas citizens based on nonparametric analysis and on the central tendency of the respondent answers reported as medians. These needs are, consequently, recognized as important ranch sustainability education topics for addressing the needs of rancher as well as expectations of others in Kansas. Cow-calf ranch management during the winter and spring months has considerable impact on these important topics, particularly the location and management of winter feeding sites. Feeding sites are traditionally located near streams for the availability of unfrozen water and wind protection. Riparian areas, rugged terrain and associated trees are commonly the source of protection important to animal wellbeing. Structural windbreaks and planted trees provide ranchers additional feeding site options with nearby wind protection. Meanwhile, tree planting and fire suppression are causing loss of prairie resources largely due to expansion of eastern redcedar across the prairie. Prairie forestation is rapidly degrading natural wildlife habitat and biodiversity. In addition to winter feeding site water quality, prairie forestations is clearly another major ranch sustainability concern in need of Extension education. However, the relative importance of trees, invasive species and wildlife seen in the survey results suggest that prairie forestation may be a less important issue than water quality associated with livestock feeding sites. The literature review also indicated that Great Plains Extension education on prairie forestation is well led by states adjacent to Kansas and say that detailed mapping is not particularly useful in rancher efforts to address prairie forestation. Literature review and Extension program prioritization survey analysis helped identify winter feeding site selection and management as the chosen subject for the instructional web mapping decision tool. The web mapping application provides necessary geographic information system (GIS) mapping data and video instruction for using a USDA NRCS feeding site assessment process, all within a single graphic user interface. The intended audiences are ranchers in Milford Lake watershed and their natural resource advisors. Advisors include local Extension Agents and watershed coordinators. It was hypothesized that female beef cattle owners consider animal wellbeing to be of higher importance than do male beef cattle owners. Survey research analysis suggested that was true, so women-in-agriculture workshops could be good venues for initial delivery of the web mapping application.