Kingsbury Conservation

09/01/2026

08/26/2026

Native Prairie Tour and Management on Schurman GPA

When: Saturday, September 5th 9am-12
Where: Schurman GPA (2 miles south of Waverly)
What: The GFP burned the area in the spring of 2026. We will show/talk about the effects the fire had on native prairie and on a high diversity planting and different restoration techniques and challenges. Plants will be flagged with their common names allowing people to look at the diversity that exists in a native prairie setting. Other topics that can be discussed but not limited to are grass plantings, other grassland management techniques, w**d management, and seed harvest.
Cost: Free – All ages are welcome.
What to Bring: Sunscreen, Long Pants and Field Guides.
Transportation: Walking/potentially some carpooling in trucks.
Directions: Schurman GPA - 44.9642945, -96.9651681 from Watertown
Take Interstate to Waverly Exit
Head east on 164th St towards Waverly
Take right on 461st Ave (.5 mile west of Waverly)
Head South on 461st Ave to 167th St, turn left.
Head East 1 mile
Any questions please email Owen McElroy – [email protected]

08/25/2026

I am out of the office today. I will be back in tomorrow morning.😊

08/11/2026

I’ll have lilies and irises for sale, $1 per bulb or root. All sales will go to our scholarship fund!

08/10/2026

I’ll be in the office by 10am this morning. I am meeting with a couple producers this morning.

08/06/2026

Hi everyone if you could take 5 min to let us know what your resource concerns are. Click the link and it will help us out. Thank you

08/04/2026

07/23/2026

Lots of calls for Canada Thistle.
Here’s a couple suggestions to improve your pasture land and gain acreage because every invasive w**d decreases what your cattle can eat.

Chemical ControlTiming:
Spray at the bud to early-flowering stage or during fall rosette regrowth so the chemical moves down into the deep root system.
Effective Herbicides:
Use selective pasture products containing aminopyralid, clopyralid, or metsulfuron which kill the thistle without hurting your established grass.
Application:
Use broadcast sprays for large infestations or targeted spot treatments for scattered patches.

Cultural and Grazing ManagementRotational Grazing:
Set up an intensive system with short grazing periods and long rest times. High stock density forces cattle to graze and trample the w**ds, which weakens them.
Pasture Health:
Maintain good soil fertility and thick grass cover. Healthy grass crowds out and shades the thistle, preventing new w**d sprouts.
Mechanical Control Mowing:
Cut the plants repeatedly just as they reach the bud stage to stop seed production.

Do not rely on mowing alone; it only removes top growth and you must combine it with chemicals or grazing to starve the roots.

If thistle has taken control of your pasture, give me a call and we can work through a solution. 😊