For Release April 15, 2003

AGRI-VIEWS
by Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension Agent

There seems to be a great deal of confusion from both landowners, land managers and the general public regarding the spring time burning of pastures. This practice, also known as prescribed burning or controlled burning, can be a very valuable tool in managing Flint Hills tall grass prairie. But if it is done improperly it can not only damage the long term health of the grasslands, it can become a risk, a hazard and a liability.

The basic science of prescribed burning is very clear and simple. For several thousand years, the tall grass prairies burned periodically either from lightning strikes or intentional setting by native tribes. The periodic burns rejuvenated the grasses, which grow in a manner that they can recover from fire fairly easily. The burns also were a big deterrent to woody species which do not necessarily recover so quickly from these burns. We know that if fire is completely removed from a pasture that in as little as ten years you can start to develop a very serious invasion of cedar trees and other woody species.

After a burn, especially in the late spring and early summer, the grass grows back very lush and thick. This was very attractive to bison and other native herbivores and is equally attractive to cattle. We also know that yearling cattle will gain weight much faster on this burned grass especially in the first half of the summer.

That is the basic science of prescribed burning. There are reasons to burn and there are also reasons not to burn. To obtain maximum benefit from a burn, without hurting grass production, you need several things in place. You need to have a full soil moisture profile to ensure good grass growth. As of right now we don’t have this. So there’s one reason not to burn this year. Secondly, you need to burn when the desired warm season native grasses have one half to one inch of new growth. We’re still a week to ten days away from this, so timing isn’t good yet.

Thirdly, you need to have enough fuel on the pasture to carry a good fire. Okay, that rules out close to half the pastures this year. Finally you need a reason to burn other than it’s fun to burn a pasture. For most of the pastures in the northern Flint Hills we do not need to burn every year especially if you are grazing cows with calves. Burning once every three or four years will be often enough.

Now the legalities of prescribed agricultural burning. You do this under state and county statutes. We are currently in a seven day burning ban that may be extended depending on the weather. Additionally, you need a county burning permit, in Geary County. This permit requires obtaining permission before starting a burn, to make sure that burns are allowed. This permit does not exempt you from basic liability. State statures very clearly say that if you strike the match you are responsible for supervising that fire until it is totally extinguished. If anything happens, the fire gets out of control, it rekindles, anything, you are still responsible! If anyone is interested, I can provide you with the state regulations.

Prescribed burning is a very valuable and needed tool for the pasture manager, if it is used properly. If the tool is not used properly, you can damage the forage resource, personal property and possibly create a situation making it more difficult to use this tool in the future.

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