Muskogee County Conservation District

 

Location:

3001 Azalea Park Drive

Muskogee Oklahoma 74401-2285

Telephone 918-687-3478

email: muskogeeCCD@conservation.ok.gov

 

"SAMMY SOIL SAVER" BIG HIT AT MIDWAY ELEMENTARY IN HITCHITA!!

 

Kids from pre-K thru 6th grade enjoyed meeting "Sammy Soil Saver" on September 30, 2009 for some soil education!

Jake Boyett, Soil Scientist from Stillwater, along with Jared Newton, NRCS and Trish Kloeckler, MCCD, talked to the kids about the importance of soil conservation to everyone!!

If you would like to book Sammy and Crew, just give the office a call and talk to Trish, 918-687-3478

 

 

OACD POSTER CONTEST:

OACD POSTER CONTEST GUIDELINES

Muskogee County Conservation District

 

Eligibility

Local Conservation District Contest.  Public, home school or private school students are eligible to submit one entry in their local conservation district poster contest.

 

Divisions

 

Division K-Kindergarten                                                                    Division I-First Grade

Division II-Second Grade                                                                   Division III-Third Grade

Division IV-Fourth Grade                                                                   Division V-Fifth Grade

Division VI-Sixth Grade                                                                       Division VII-Seventh Grade

Division VIII-Eighth Grade                                                                 Division IX-Ninth Grade

Division X-Tenth Grade                                                                      Division XI-Eleventh Grade

Division XII-Twelfth Grade                                                                Division XIV-Special Education

 

K-1 will be judged together

2-3 grade

4-6 grade

7-9 grade

10-12 grade

(Note: Regarding Division XIV: This division is for students in k-12 grade, who are in special education classes.  Posters MUST NOT  be labeled as “special education”.  Poster should be labeled as Division XIV.  Submitted posters will be judged in a separate division based on the number of posters received.  The same guidelines used by the other divisions must be followed for the poster to be eligible.

 

Format and Style

The theme for this year’s poster contest is: “DIG IT! THE SECRETS OF SOILS”

 

Posters should be 14” X 22” (no larger, no smaller, not even by ½”) or they will be disqualified!

Muskogee County Conservation District will provide these posters to anyone wishing to enter.  They will already be the appropriate size, so there will not be any question on the size.

Any medium (watercolor, crayon, markers, colored pencils, etc) may be used to create a flat or two-dimensional effect.  Students should be reminded that posters will be mailed for the area contest judging and therefore, should be durable.

New category’s this year are: 10-12 grade only—computer designed posters on 8.5X11 sheets

4-6 grade only—Soil poster painted with paint made from soil.  14X22 poster size.  To get the recipe for soil paint go to www.soils.usda.gov/education/resources/k_12/lessons/painting/

The recipe calls for artist acrylic (clear gloss medium) but you can substitute watered down white glue or liquid starch.

 

The following must appear and be clearly readable in the front, lower, right-hand corner of every poster:  DIVISION, GRADE, AND OACD AREA.

 

On the back of every poster, the following information must be shown in the order given below:

CONTEST DIVISON

OACD AREA

CONSERVATION DISTRICT

STUDENT’S NAME AND HOME ADDRESS

GRADE

SCHOOL AND SCHOOL ADDRESS

TEACHER’S NAME

STUDENTS’S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: (SSN will only be needed if the poster proceeds to the National Contest.)

 

DUE IN MUSKOGEE OFFICE BY OCTOBER 5, 2009

TO ARRANGE A PICKUP OR DROPOFF OF POSTER MATERIALS PLEASE CALL:

918-687-3478, We will be happy to pick up and drop off for you!

To set up a special presentation to your school or group call the same number and ask for Trish Kloeckler.

 

Prizes will be awarded in all categories with cash awards being given to categories 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12

 

 

INFORMATION ON THIS YEAR’S THEME “DIG IT! THE SECRET OF SOILS”

 

 

The Dirt on Soil
http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures/soil/index.html

Soil Education
http://soils.usda.gov/education/main.htm

Just for Kids - Soil Biological Communities
http://www.blm.gov/nstc/soil/kids/index.html

Soil and Water Stewardship Week
http://www.nacdnet.org/p\\ubaff/stewardship

The Great Plant Escape
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/index.html

SK Worm Answers Your Questions about Soil Stuff
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/education/squirm/skworm.html

Underground Adventure from the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL
http://fmnh.org/ua/default.htm

"Ag"-tivities for the Soil-Minded Citizens
http://www.florence.ars.usda.gov/kidsonly/hb.htm

K-12 Teaching Resources and Activities (by Dr. Dirt)
http://www.wtamu.edu/~crobinson/DrDirt.htm

NO TILL DRILL  BEGINS OPERATION; Our new Great Plains NoTill Drill was called into action this fall by area landowners and was used for planting grass, wheat and clover as well as some pasture mixtures. There are some clovers and warm season grasses and other crops that can be planted in the spring/summer season. We have been renting the drill for $125 per day and planting 10-20 acres per day has not been uncommon. The drill is equipped with a regular seed box, small seed box (clovers etc.) and fluffy seed box (for native grasses). Contact MCCD at 687-3478 for more information. The OSU Muskogee County Extension (686-7200) is a good source for planting dates and other information for forage crops and many other crops. We were able to purchase the No Till Drill through grants from the Cherokee Nation, Creek Nation and Watershed Management funds. We are especially thankful to State Representative Jerry McPeak for his help in getting sponsors together to help fund this very valuable and important piece of equipment for Muskogee County.  

 

PLANT SALE 2009; WE WILL AGAIN HAVE OUR ANNUAL PLANT SALE IN MAY 2009. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE WILL BE USED FOR UPGRADING THE 152 ACRE NATURE SANCTUARY WITH WILDFLOWER AND NATIVE PLANT PLANTINGS. THE SANCTUARY IS OPEN TO SCHOOLS, NATURE AND CONSEREVATION GROUPS AND 4H AND FFA GROUPS AS NEEDED. WE STILL DO NOT HAVE PERMANENT RESTROOMS ON THE SITE BUT SHOULD COMPLETE THE WATER METER AND LINE IN EARLY 2009. BELOW ARE SOME PHOTOS ANDY TOOK LAST FALL THAT SHOW SOME OF THE BEAUTY THAT HAS RETURNED SINCE ONLY 1 YEAR OF RESTORATION.

 

WE ARE EXPECTING A MUCH MORE COLORFUL WILDFLOWER SEASON THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF SEED THAT WAS PLANTED LAST YEAR AND SEVERAL MILES OF TRAILS THAT ANDY PLANS TO PLANT THIS YEAR. CONTACT ANDY OR TRISH AT 918-687-3478 FOR USE AND ACCESS INFORMATION FOR YOUR GROUP.

 

MCCD DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES; IN THE PHOTO BELOW ARE

LEFT TO RIGHT; BUTCH GARNER DIRECTOR, ANDY QUALLS TECH.,

KEN SILVER DIRECTOR, RODNEY FARRIS DIRECTOR, TRISH KLOECKLER

DISTRICT SECRETARY, MATTYE HARRISON DIRECTOR/CHAIR

ROBERT ROSS DIRECTOR.  NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PHOTO IS

AUDREY ADNEY, OUR NEWEST DIRECTOR.

THANKS FOR VISTING OUR WEBSITE , THIS MAKES US HAPPY , WE HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT DAY, PLEASE VISIT OUR GUEST BOOK AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OR LET US KNOW IF THERE IS SOME WAY WE CAN HELP YOU OR SIMPLY JUST TO SAY HELLO.

THANKS AGAIN, MUSKOGEE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT EMPLOYEES.. 

BELIEVE IT OR NOT I SHOT THE TWO PHOTOS BELOW IN MUSKOGEE COUNTY

THE FLOWERS ARE A WILD FORM OF HIBISCUS AND HAVE BECOME ESTABLISHED IN A

WETLAND CREATED BY BEAVER DAMS . NOT BAD FOR A ZERO MAINTENANCE WATER

GARDEN. I GUESS BEAVERS COULD BE GOOD FOR SOMETHING AFTER ALL.  

 

NEW AND RAPIDLY INCREASING THREAT TO WILDLIFE HABITAT AND

CROPS AND CONSERVATION IN MUSKOGEE COUNTY ; FERAL HOGS

Feral hogs (hogs that have become wild hogs) are increasing and moving to new areas in Muskogee County. While they pose some interesting challenges to hunters and are excellent table fare (not including mature boars), their ability to increase in numbers rapidly and destroy habitat for deer, gamebirds and other wildlife and plants precludes any perceived value that is offered by the hunting opportunities or tasty meat.

In areas where these animals are becoming established, they should be shot on sight although trapping might help slow the increase. In areas of the county (dirty creek area) where I have observed the presence of feral hogs for the past 2 years, the quantity of hogs present has easily doubled in 1 years time and could easily double again in 2008.

In areas with mast (acorns) the hogs that I have killed each contained huge amounts of acorns (one 200 lb. female easily had 10 lbs. of acorns in the paunch when gutted and the best I could tell this was from 1 nights feeding). This particular hog was in a group of 10-12 others which likely had consumed an equivalent amount of acorns. This is in direct competition with deer , turkey and squirrel populations in the area. On the same field the previous day a group of 18 hogs from 200-400 lbs had been sighted (2 large sows in the 400lb. range were part of the group).

If only half of this group (not the only group spotted) were females - (all of this particular group were breeding age) produced litters of 6 offspring, and two litters per year, the group of 18 hogs would increase in this area to 126 in only 12 months. This of course depletes the food supply in the area and will result in the hogs being required to overspread additional territory and farmland to support the need for food. At the same time this depletes much of the deer and turkey food and will impact populations of deer and turkey anywhere the hogs establish.

It was noted that during both years of observing the hogs, the deer and turkey seem to make efforts to avoid the hogs and in information gathered from Texas where most of the state has an established feral hog population, it has been noted that the hogs feed on game bird nests, fawns, sheep and sometimes even calves. It was also noted that when hogs attack and eat newborn lambs, fawns or calves the animals are consumed so completely that little to no evidence of an attack remains.

At this time the largest concentration of hogs that I am aware of in Muskogee county are in the Dirty creek area and savannahs of the high land above dirty creek. I have had reports of spottings of feral hogs as far west as Oktaha on the dirty creek drainage system but assume they have located may other places where they have not been reported or regarded as a threat.

The Oklahoma wildlife department has very few restrictions for those wishing to hunt and kill feral hogs so they have tried to make it as attractive as possible. Be sure to check and observe ODWC regulations when hunting hogs. Most restrictions are related to those in place during other hunting seasons with no limits or season on killing the wild hogs.

Feral hogs are generally domesticated varieties that have turned wild although Hybrids that have crossed with the Russian/European wild boar are not uncommon and may already be part of the bloodline in the hogs in Muskogee county (some may be spotted, banded or colored as domestic hogs or black or tiger striped like the European boars). A hog in Oklahoma is regarded as feral 5 days after escaping captivity although a hog owner could extend the classification by an additional 10 days if they notify adjacent landowners of the escaped hog.

If you wish to hunt and kill the hogs for food, you will want to use protective gloves during the dressing and processing of the meat as you would if dressing or processing farm raised hogs. The hogs are fairly easily skinned and it is possible to remove most of the fat during skinning very similar to skinning and processing a deer. The meat is excellent especially on female hogs and smaller pigs. Do not feed the offall to domestic hogs as there are some disease possiblilties that could occur if domestic swine consume raw organs or meat of wild hogs. Mature boars may not be very palatable table fare but should be killed if given the opportunity just the same.

The following links will provide additional information on Feral Hogs:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/nuisance/feral_hogs/

http://www.noble.org/ag/wildlife/feralhogs/

http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hoghunting.htm

http://texnat.tamu.edu/symposia/feral/feral-6.htm

http://feralhogs.tamu.edu/trap.cfm

FERAL HOGS ARE SOMETIMES DANGEROUS AND ALWAYS DAMAGING TO AGRICULTURAL, CONSERVATION OR WILDLIFE HABITAT.

 

 

POSSIBLE NEW VERSES FOR THE SONG "OKLAHOMA"

"OKLAHOMA,

WHERE THE WIND COMES SWEEPIN' DOWN THE PLAIN"

"AND YOU NEVER KNOW, WHAT THE WIND WILL BLOW"

"'CAUSE IT'S SOMETIMES DUST , AND SOMETIMES RAIN,"

 

"OKLAHOMA....., "

"EVERY NIGHT MY HONEY LAMB AND I, "

"LIKE TO TAKE A WALK, IN THE  MUD OR DUST"

"JUST TO SEE THE STARS UP IN THE SKY"

 

"BUT WE  KNOW WE BELONG TO THE LAND"

AND THE LAND WE BELONG TO IS GRAND"

"FROM A DROUGHT TO  FLOOD" "OR  FROM DUST TO MUD"

"WE  HAVE CHOSEN  HERE TO MAKE OUR STAND"

 

"OKLAHOMA.."

"'THOUGH  SOMETIMES WE SAY, YIPPEE - KO - YI -AA"

"WE'RE GONNA' BE JUST FINE, THOUGH IT MAY TAKE TIME"

OKLAHOMAAA....  OK!!!!

 

WHETHER DROUGHT OR FLOOD, HOT OR COLD, ICE STORMS, FREEZES, HILLS OR PLAINS, FOREST OR CROPLAND, RIVERS OR DUNES, I HAVE YET TO FIND A PLACE I WOULD RATHER LIVE JUST BECAUSE OKLAHOMA HAS THE GREATEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD AND YOU NEVER GET BORED WITH THE CLIMATE OR RUN OUT OF CHALLENGES TO FIND WAYS TO ADAPT TO THE EVERYDAY CHANGES THAT MAKE "OKIES" SOME OF THE STRONGEST AND MOST INNOVATIVE  PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES.

ANDY QUALLS-Muskogee County Conservation District

 

 

SHELTERBELTS CONSERVE HAY AND IMPROVE CATTLE OPERATIONS;

go to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture side below to find our more.

http://www.oda.state.ok.us/forms/forestry/for-shelter.pdf

 

 

 

 

 GUEST BOOK IS LOCATED ON THE NAV BAR ABOVE.

THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR WEB SITE

 

FREE PASTURE AND HAY FERTILIZER

Of course most of us have learned our lesson more than once that NOTHING is free and generally this is true. One of the even better rules that is equally true is that when something is cost effective, then it is better than free because your investment will return more money to you than you spend. The usual reason that anything is cost effective and profitable to the investor is usually something called GOOD MANAGEMENT. The increase in profitability from good pasture and hay management comes as returns from increased forage produced compared to previous methods of management or no management at all. Possibly one of the best returns on investment you could have in managing pasture and hay is by adding legumes to the pasture or hay system. The reason I have used the condition “Possibly” above is due to the fact that it is possible for legumes in pasture or hay meadows to contribute as much as 100 pounds of actual nitrogen per acre during an Oklahoma growing season if necessary management practices are implemented. Typically this would amount to an additional 2 tons per acre of forage production if sufficient levels of phosphorus and potassium are present and as you would expect several other very important considerations are met, but considering that if Nitrogen fertilizer costs $.30 per pound and a good legume mixture in a pasture or hay meadow can produce up to 100 lbs. of actual Nitrogen per acre annually, with proper management this could improve profitability by as much as $30 per acre as well as improving forage quality and probably better gains from cattle and some other livestock.

The basic considerations necessary for legume establishment are as follows:

 

#1- The pH must be 6.0 or above for most legumes, if lime is needed it must be applied 6 months before planting.

#2- P and K fertility requirements must be met or it is unlikely a proper stand of legume can be established,

#3-The proper legume for your use must be selected (taller clovers like red clover like Kenland or Cinnamon works best for hay, shorter white clovers like Ladino or Dutch work best for pastures.

#4- Plant at the right time using satisfactory method. For many clovers early spring is a good time to plant.

#5- There are lots of new herbicides labeled for pasture and hay that will kill legumes. This is unfortunate because often the

      producer spends money for the herbicide and when legumes are lost, spends more money for fertilizer or has a reduced

      forage yield and may not be aware that of the true cost of forage without legumes has increased drastically.

#6 Pure stands of legumes can cause bloat problems, again smart management is the key to success. Best in grass mixtures.

 

The First step to getting better forage at less cost by adding legumes to pasture or hay is a soil test and a visit with your OSU county extension agent.  Some clovers can last for several years in pastures and hay even with minimal management. The telephone number for Muskogee County OSU Extension office is 918-686-7200. This management system is enhanced by proper stocking rates and pasture rotation. 

As a parting thought, are you interested in spending $15 and acre now to get back $30/acre for several years to come? It could happen if you are willing to apply good management practices that improve chances of success. At my farm, this is a clear cut case of “not missing the water until the well goes dry” (no pun on the past drought intended) but I had one field that began declining in production even though fertilizing the same each year and I blamed it on not enough rain, too much rain, too cold, too hot, too many grasshoppers, gophers, too windy, too cloudy, too sunny or whatever, when the truth is that the decline in production exactly followed the decline in clover population in the field. I was losing my free fertilizer and wasn’t paying attention. Shame on me. Clovers are also recommended for endophyte fescue fields to reduce the effect of the fungus on livestock production.

 

SOIL TEST INTERPRETATION CALCULATOR-CHECK THIS OUT TO FIND OUT FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS AND ESTIMATED COST/YIELD

OSU SOIL TEST INTERPRETATION CALCULATOR This is a great internet tool for making fertilizer decisions, this is a good tool for fertilizer dealers and users  of fertilizer and students of soil sciences. A small JAVA download is required. Go to  http://www.soiltesting.okstate.edu/interpretation.htm

 

 

 

 

BLUEBIRD HOUSES

FARM DIESEL

For phone numbers of locations that sell Farm Diesel (off road/red diesel) click on the above link. An Oklahoma Tax Commission Agricultural Exemption permit  (Farm tax card) is required to purchase the tax exempt diesel at reduced total cost for farm use) If you know of other Muskogee County locations where off road diesel for farm use can be purchased, let me know and I will list them also for the convenience of Muskogee County Farmers and Ranchers. The Muskogee County Conservation District has no preference and MAKES NO ENDORSEMENT OF  any product or service or business establishment listed here but provides the information SOLELY as a service to Muskogee County Farmers and Ranchers.

ATTENTION GARDENERS!

POLYACRYLAMIDE SOIL AMENDMENT ABSORBS 400 TIMES IT'S WEIGHT IN WATER AND NUTRIENTS AND  RELEASES BACK TO PLANTS AS MOISTURE IS NEEDED. INCREASES TIME BETWEEN IRRIGATIONS, PROVIDES MOISTURE TO PLANTS BETWEEN RAINFALLS AND IMPROVES PERMEATION OF SOIL. WHEN MIXED WITH SOIL LASTS 5-10 YEARS (SEE BELOW)

Polyacrylamide is used to absorb and hold water in the root zone of plants to extend the time between irrigations or provide moisture to plants between rainfall events when rainfall is irregular. In addition , polyacrylamide has shown to improve water permeation into the soil and prevent soil compaction. An added benefit is that when the polymer absorbs rain or irrigation water, it also absorbs nutrients (from fertilizers etc. ) and prevents them from being lost to leaching. Crop yield increases have been reported for many vegetable and crop plants. Trials by tomato growers have been especially favorable.

The Muskogee County Conservation District has Polyacrylamide crystals available (for a  $5.00 donation) in pint containers (I couldn't quite fit a pound into the plastic pint containers) or $2.00 donation for 4oz  bags. Some instructions are included. If several pounds are wanted, we will measure bulk for a donation of $5.00 per pound.  If you would like to purchase large quantities for agricultural use or trials, contact the Muskogee County Conservation District and we can check on price and delivery for larger quantities. Any donations generated by of this product or others from MCCD are deposited in local funds and used for local operation or projects in Muskogee County. Polyacrylamide is marketed by at least one major lawn and garden retail chain as "root watering crystals" for $12.97 per 1-lb. container.

FIREFIGHTER MAPS AVAILABLE             

ABOVE  ; JARED NEWTON PRESENTS MUSKOGEE COUNTY MAP DISC TO JIMMY WHITEHEAD, FORT GIBSON FIREFIGHTER.

300 gallon sprayer $50 per day/ $75 PER WEEKEND (Friday afternoon-Monday morning) RENTAL MUST BE SCHEDULED IN ADVANCE TO QUALIFY FOR WEEKEND RENTAL CALL :

918-687-3478 TO SCHEDULE OR FOR MORE INFORMATION.

    MUSKOGEE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT IS                                                                          GRATEFUL TO THE FOLKS THAT SPONSOR OUR NEWSLETTER.                                                                 WE APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.