Pontotoc Ridge Prescribed Burn Association

10/13/2026

10/13/2026

Firebreaks for Prescribed Burning

TYPES OF FIREBREAKS
- Natural (bluffs, creeks/streams, rivers, lakes)
- Existing (cultivated fields, gravel roads, ranch roads, paved roads)
- Constructed (dozed or scraped lines, disked lines, hand lines, mowed/wet lines)

FIREBREAK MANAGEMENT

Width
- 10ft wide minimum OR 10x vegetation height

Brush Piles
- 100-500ft inside or outside the firebreak

Limit Erosion
- On steep slopes use mowed/wet lines OR create terraces on bare ground firebreaks

Learn more from our factsheet! Comment "firebreak" to get the link

09/28/2026

Prescribed fire is one of the most effective land management tools available — and one of the most misunderstood. Noble Research Institute's upcoming Prescribed Burn Workshop gives producers a hands-on introduction to how fire can fit into a practical grazing management plan.

The one-day workshop takes place Oct. 9 at Noble's Oswalt Ranch, running from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. Participants will rotate through four hands-on learning stations covering the principles, planning and application of prescribed burning before coming together for a live burn demonstration. The day wraps up with a debrief to discuss what happened during the burn, what participants observed and how those lessons apply to their own land.

Whether you're considering prescribed fire for the first time or looking to better understand how it can work alongside your existing grazing management, this workshop provides practical, real-world exposure to the process.

Registration is $75 — and producers attending Noble Grazing Essentials in Ardmore, Oct. 6-8, can add the workshop as a bundle and save $50.

Registration closes Oct. 2. Seats are limited.

Register here: https://shop.noble.org/collections/all/products/prescribed-burn-workshop-ardmore-ok-october-9-2026

09/25/2026

Why is grazing management important?

The #1 Land use in Oklahoma is grazing of Rangelands, Pasture and Forests
58% or 25 million acres

45% Grazed Rangeland & Planted Pasture
13% Grazed Forest
4% Ungrazed Forest
16% Cropland
12% Urban, special use, Miscellaneous

Stocking rate is the most important grazing management decision for sustainability of...
- livestock performance
- forage plants
- wildlife habitat
- rancher profitability

Across Oklahoma, stocking rates range from 10-60+ acres per cow for 1 year (1,300lb cow) on native pastures.

See stocking rates for your rangeland on the Rangeland Analysis Platform! (Link in comments)

2012 USDA land use data

09/05/2026

Cole Fagen posted the following message in local PBA groups and email lists today. I thought i would share here on FB.
jch

Right now is a great time to start thinking about and planning the late winter/spring burns for next year. If you plan on using mowed firebreaks, get prepared to start mowing them soon (if your brush hog isn’t going to start a fire of course). Mowing them now through the first frost will help the mulch and dead grass decompose and blow away so it is not an issue on the day of the fire. Get brush piles pushed in or mowed around well ahead of the burn. Start scouting out dead trees near the edges of your burn units and get them on the ground. It is never too early to prepare for next years burns. If you need help writing burn plans or want someone to come look at burn units Call Seth Coffey, Clay Horton, Ken Gee or Cole Fagen and we’d be happy to help you out.

When we get some moisture and good conditions we still have some burns to do this year as well.

09/03/2026

Great site visit today.
Two pics from timber burned every 2-4 years vs two pics from a 20 ac tract that has never been burned. Same property, right across the fence from each other.

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

The Invasive Woody Species Cost Share Program is now accepting applications!

If you're a landowner in an eligible county with at least 20 acres and are losing the battle against Eastern Red Cedar, Saltcedar, or Mesquite, we encourage you to apply!

Applications are due November 1, 2026.

For full program details, please visit: https://conservation.ok.gov/land-management-division-2/

08/29/2026

Patch Burning Provides Rest from Cattle Use WITHOUT Removing Livestock

Burns are rotated through six patches.
Cattle have free choice across ALL patches

Percent of Growing Season Days Ungrazed
2020: Unburned Patch
Ungrazed 90% of days
(February burn and August burn conducted)

2021: Unburned Patch
Ungrazed 74% of days
(March burn and August burn conducted)

2022: Burned Patch
Ungrazed 7% of days
Grazed 93% of days
(April burn and August burn conducted)

Cattle were attracted to regrowth on recent burns.
Cattle avoided unburned patches, providing rest.
(Location data from GPS collars)

08/27/2026

Location:Roadsides and Overgrazed Pastures