Emergency Haying and Grazing Available on WMAs

LINCOLN, Neb. – In response to the continued drought in parts of Nebraska and the governor’s declaration to enact emergency haying and grazing provisions, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering, up for bid, grassland tracts for haying or grazing on wildlife management areas.

Haying and grazing tracts were identified where haying and grazing were planned in the management rotation for next year. They also were identified where haying and grazing activities could enhance planned management activities, such as interseeding and early successional habitat management. Biologists already have opened up nearly 1,500 acres for grazing or haying in the Pine Ridge.

Game and Parks is opening more than 1,300 acres on 12 areas for grazing and 1,000 acres on 28 areas for haying. Bids must be received by the area biologist by July 16 to be considered. A full list of areas is available at http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/pdf/hay-graze.pdf.

High bids will be accepted. The earliest haying/grazing may begin on approved leases is July 18.

Contact the area biologist for additional information. Closing dates for haying and grazing will be Aug. 31 so equipment and livestock can be removed from wildlife management areas before the opening of dove and grouse seasons.