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Land Improvement
For more information about the No-Till Drill or to make a reservation, please call Henkens Equipment at (308) 432-5593.
No-Till Drill Information This TYE 2007 Pasture Pleaser has a drill width of 7 feet and an overall width of 9 1/2 feet. This smaller size allows it to be easily maneuvered in most areas from narrow tree rows and creek bottoms to large fields. It is a pull-type drill, is easily transportable by pick-up, and attaches to all tractors. It has three seed boxes and thus has the ability to plant anything from native grass seed to legume seeds. In one pass, an effective three-step seeding process is completed. A deep ripple coulter cuts a clear path through the ground, whether it is stubble, bare ground, or sod. Double-disc openers then gently place the seed into the seed track. The process is completed when depth control press wheels firm the soil over the seed.
Lease ArrangementsThe No-Till Drill may be leased for a charge of $8.00 per acre or a minimum charge of $30.00 for the first 24 hour period. After the first day, each 12 hour increment is a $15.00 charge. District staff is authorized to use their discretion to define what constitutes charges for the 12 hour increments. Total amount due is payable upon return of the No-Till Drill. Please see No-Till Drill Lease Agreement for lease stipulations. Lease reservations are ongoing and should be booked in advance to assure availability.
PurposeVarious local agricultural practices reduce the amount of nesting cover available for upland game which often results in low survival rates. These practices, such as summer fallow farming and overgrazing of riparian areas, also facilitate excessive irrigation and rainwater runoff which results in non point source pollution of ground and surface waters. The Wildlife Seeding Program (No-Till Drill) is an effort to provide better cover and food sources for many different types of wildlife while reducing erosion and runoff.
Funding for the no-till drill purchase was provided by:  
What is Prescribed Burning?Prescribed burning is a technique used to improve the quality and quantity of grassland and forest vegetation. A prescribed burn uses skillfully-applied fire to remove fuels of a forest, prairie or pasture. It is done for a specific purpose, under predetermined weather conditions. USDA NRCS NE Fact Sheet –12
Prescribed burning, when done correctly, can result in a variety of beneficial outcomes including wildlife habitat enhancement, improved forestland/grassland health, increased forage value for livestock, and reduced fire hazards. It suppresses certain undesirable plants and removes excessive plant residue, which stimulates new growth of desirable species. In forests, these burns remove thick layers of pine needles and old vegetation and prune low hanging branches on pine trees. As a result, sunlight is allowed to penetrate the soil surface and herbaceous plants are allowed to germinate and thrive.
ConsiderationsA fire plan should always be designed before a prescribed burn is implemented. Factors to consider include the amount and distribution of fine fuel, the goal end-results following the burn, desired weather conditions, preferred wind velocities, direction to burn and the location of highways and buildings.
UNWNRD RequirementsThe UNWNRD has prescribed burning equipment available that can be checked out and used to assist with burns. To use this equipment, a landowner must work out a prescribed burn plan with an appropriate agency and receive a burn permit from their local Fire Department.
Assistance on burn plans is currently available through the Nebraska Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (predominately on Conservation Reserve Program fields).
The UNWNRD will charge a minimal fee to use the equipment. Normal wear is expected, but evidence of abuse will result in greater charges to cover replacement costs. The borrower must sign a brief lease agreement before the equipment can leave the UNWNRD office.
Equipment DetailsBenefits of Prescribed Burning:Improved forest and grassland health
Decreased fire hazards due to removal of pine needle layers and/or old vegetation
Enhanced wildlife habitat
Decreased forest competition for moisture resulting in enhanced streams and springs
New growth of suppressed hardwood trees
Improved soil quality due to nutrients recycling back into the ground
Reduced erosion resulting from an increase in vegetation density
Improved rangeland forage value
Long-term reduction of invasive weed infestations
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