Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Banner County students were among the highest ranking when students and instructors from 18 high schools met in Kimball County for the Area 1 (Panhandle) Range Judging on Sept. 19.
Approximately 150 participants judged various grasses, plants, and shrubs in a pasture on the southside of Oliver Reservoir Recreation Area.
In the Senior Division, Banner County placed third as a team. Chadron was first and Scottsbluff second.
Banner ranked higher than many other teams, including those from Gordon-Rushville, Sidney, Creek Valley, Ogallala, Leyton, Hay Springs, Alliance, Mitchell, Minatare and Bridgeport.
Banner County individuals also fared well in the Senior Division. Adam Knaub was third, Isaac Olsen sixth, Marie Hein 37th and Andie West 53rd.
In the Junior Division, Logan Mason placed 14th.
Although youth are the primary participants, contests can be a challenging and effective learning tool for both youth and adults.
“This is a great opportunity to learn about one of Nebraska’s most important and valuable natural resources,” said Galen Wittrock, South Platte NRD general manager.
Rangelands occupy nearly 50 percent of the state. While they may be best known for supporting the livestock industry, rangelands also provide varied habitats for many species of wildlife, protect the soil from wind and water erosion, and enhance our environment by filtering runoff to streams, increasing the intake of precipitation and aiding the recharge of groundwater.
An important objective is for participants to better understand rangeland ecosystems. Range Judging enables each participant to learn how to recognize range plants, range sites and proper grazing practices.
NRDs work with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nebraska Extension, and the Nebraska Section of the Society for Range Management to host Range Judging contests all over the state each September.
The State Range Judging Contest will be held in Saline County on Sept. 27, 2023, with a practice date the day before.