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Show SUMMIT COUNTY NEWS PAGE A4 Conservation Corner 4NRCs JULY 20, 2012 Kamas Fiesta Days and 24th Celebration Dealing with drought BY DOUGLAS GARFIELD Soil Conservationist Technician Utah NRCS So far this year has been a year of extremes, extremely dry and now extremely hot. Utah watersheds are crispy and getting drier. This is going to have an impact on everyone from the consumer at the grocery store to the agricultural producer who puts food on the table. We all know it's dry, but how dry? Let's throw a few numbers at you. As of July 1st precipitation for the month of June for the Bear River Basin was 2% of average with total precipitation for the year at 67% of normal. Soil moisture this year is 44% compared to 76% at this time last year. For the Weber and Ogden River Basin things are not any better. June precipitation was 3% of normal with total precipitation for the year at 68% of normal. Soil moisture is at 35% compared to 65% last year. Sixteen Utah counties have just been declared natural disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to the drought and Summit County is one of them. Morgan County is considered vulnerable and not much better off. As a producer or just a back yard gardener there are some proactive steps we can take to tighten our cinch and better prepare ourselves for what may be the rest of a long dry spell. We can't assume next year will be better; it may be the same or even drier depending on what next winter and spring bring. You might want to plan on production being lower next year, because of a soil moisture deficit that is going to be tough to make up if things keep going the way they are. If you have not taken a look at no till planting, now may be the time to start considering it for next year. No till is better suited to drought conditions than conventional tillage for a number of reasons. With no need to break up the soil you keep more mulch on the surface which retains more soil moisture and reduces evaporation. Mulch on the surface also promotes better water infiltration. Conventional tillage over time creates a tillage pan at a depth of 7-9 inches. This pan inhibits deep root development, which prevents plants from developing longer roots to get at needed soil moisture. Basically you limit the plants ability to deal with drier conditions. Weeds will also find a way to exploit the dry conditions and because of the soil moisture deficit weeds will face less competition from grasses and other desirable species. We need to stay on top of weed management. If you are a gardener consider mulching around your garden plants. Mulch will not only help to slow moisture loss from the soil but will also reduce opportunities for weeds by covering bare soil. Grazing on range and forest will need to be carefully managed this year so as not to degrade and mine grass stocks of future years, inhibiting plant recovery for next year. Take a serious look at blowing through rangeland and forest pastures at high intensity for a short duration grazing period. Much of what is being grazed will be the standing forage remaining from last year's banner moisture year with little feed value. This year's growth is just not there. This brings on a dilemma that many producers will face. If you are used to stocking your grazing allotment to capacity, you will end up overgrazing or coming off early. So if you come off early you have two choices, neither being the preferable option. Sell your animals early at lighter weights or supplemental feed which is expensive and only going to get more so. Prices for baled alfalfa are currently over $200 / ton and going up. Producers returning off summer ranges early because of reduced forage production will be faced with going onto winter ranges early; these have also suffered from poor production, compounding the problem. Herd reduction may be the only economically viable option. Producers need to take a serious look at liquidating non-essential livestock. Wild land fire has been the lead story recently and there are things we can do on rangelands that can aid in the battle against wild land fire. Take a look at fire breaks and creating defensible lines from range plantings. Forage Koshia is one example of a conservation planting that can serve a dual purpose. Not only is it a valuable forage crop for livestock and wildlife but by using a brush hog and broadcast seeding strips of Koshia you can develop natural fire breaks which can create a defensible line against fire on rangelands and prevent the loss grazing land to fire. There is a choice, with more hot dry weather to come we can complain and do nothing or take proactive steps in management practices that can make a difference between preserving or degrading resources and making a profit or taking a loss. The NRCS can assist through various programs. Feel free to contact us in either the Coalvile (435) 336-5853 or the Ogden (801) 629-0580 NRCS Field Offices. NRCS is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Summit County Health Department investigate pond with dead fish CHERYL OVARD SCN/Editor Summit County Health Department along with DEQ Water quality and Division of Wildlife Resources were notified to investigate a fish kill at the ponds below the Deer Valley parking lots. Early indications showed there was low dissolved oxygen and higher than normal water temperatures - possibly due to the higher day temperatures and lower than normal water flows. Many of the surviving fish are shown here conjugated around the inlets searching for oxygen where the water is flowing into the ponds. These ponds are reservoirs used for Deer Valley's snowmaking equipment. Investigation is ongoing at this time. ip g. II ron 11111111 N aP i AKIO Ea ir um lei ma— at gErtm n . , 1 , ,.• A* rim L-......, Lal .1", 1117-3 " rif.:14011P *"., NriP 11k: Dri I Kamas City is looking forward to another great celebration in its 101st year since the incorporation of the town in July of 1911. Besides the regular festivities of hometown rodeo, bull wars, parades and famous demolition derby, Kamas will be celebrating this 24th of July by spotlighting the industries that helped make Kamas the community it is today. On display in the Kamas City council room, some of the history of our valley's dairy, cattle, sheep, and timber industries are highlighted. The Kamas City offices are open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. throughout the summer and fall of 2012. On July 24th from 2-5 p.m., an historical open house will be hosted by the City with a short program presented by the outgoing fourth graders from South Summit Elementary School to begin at 3 p.m. They will present "Utah, This is the Place." An afternoon concert featuring Anson Tree Service Call (435) 760-1420 or (801) 787-5402 For a Free Estimate Enter or come watch this fast moving barrel race with horse & rider against time! Summit County Fairgrounds Aug 6, 2012 Starting at 2:00pm Pee Wee entry due July 30 Youth & Open due by Friday Aug 3rd For more info call Chablee Padgett at: 640-4632 or visit summitcountyfair.org or email: Scbarrelbash@yahoo.com ifi_airr-46. I ri'L' I k%g* Local Certified Arborid Summit County Fair Barrel Bash Er- SUMMIT COUNTY LITTLE BUCKAROO RODEO Little Buckaroo timed events are Aug 7. The main show is Aug. 8 Little Buckaroo Rodeo Entries are due Aug 3rd by 5:00 pm. Entries can be picked up at the Fair Office or printed off of the county web site summitcountyfair. org For more info call the Fair Office at: 336-3221, 783-4351 ext. 3221 Dennis Jorgenson and Steve Jones will provide entertainment for all. Plan now to join us on July 24 for an afternoon of music, checking out the displays and renewing old friendships. Bring your lawn chairs and join the fun! Do you know who owns this cow? This long horned cow was picked up July 16, 2012, in Francis. The cow had been contained in a field for over three weeks and no one can find the owner. There is an orange tag in the left ear with the number 69 on it. If you or anyone you know owns this cow, please contact the Summit County Animal Control at (435) 336-3985 within ten days of this advertisement. Summit County Fair Demolition Derby FREE Entry if Cars and trucks are registered before July 31st. $50.00 after deadline. For more info please contact Clay Stuart at 801-791-2759 or the Fair Office at: 435-336-3221 or 783-4351 ext. 3221 or visit our web site at: summitcountyfair.org Summit County Fair Open Horse Show Summit County Fairgrounds Friday, July 27, 6:00 pm Saturday, July 28, 9:00 am Early registration deadline is Thursday, July 26. Late registration will be at 5:00 pm on Friday and 8:00 am on Saturday. For more information or registration forms please contact the Summit County Fair Office at: 336-3221 or 783-4351 ext 3221 Or visit our web site: summitcountyfair.org |