Funk_Waterfowl_Production

Funk Waterfowl Production Area

Location: 4 miles north and 7 miles east of Holdrege, Nebraska

Click on map to enlarge

Size: 1989 acres: 1163 acres of wetland, 826 acres of upland

Recent Management: The wetland is the collecting area for runoff from a large watershed. It can quickly go from nearly dry to flooded after a heavy rain event.

Aerial view after an early spring burn

The past years' drought conditions have allowed for the entire Waterfowl Production Area to be burned during the spring. The burning was done to 1) remove old residual cattail vegetation so livestock grazing could be used in the wetland to reduce the amount of cattail, and 2) expose any new growth of Canada thistle for better weed control.

The large size of the WPA allows for several management practices to be done during the year. All actions are aimed at two goals: to eradicate or control invasive species and to increase the amount of native grasses and waterfowl foods.

Canada thistle growing throughout the property caused us to assess the severity of thistle on each parcel of property and to apply a management plan that most effectively helped us meet our goals. On the extremely infested areas, the decision was to convert the poor grassland into Roundup Ready soybeans. This particular strain of soybeans allows the crop to be treated periodically with the Roundup herbicide. The herbicide kills all newly germinated thistle, reducing the amount of thistle seed in the soil. After three to five years of farming, the soil is relatively free of thistle seeds and can be reseeded to native, warm-season grasses. The warm-season grasses do not begin vegetative growth until June, when the thistle seedlings are three to six inches in height. This allows us to spray the area with Roundup prior to the grasses beginning to grow. Once the young thistle plants are killed the new grass plants shade the ground and reduce growth of additional thistle. Periodic burns and seasonal herbicide treatment are expected to establish a healthy stand of native grasses.

Native grass planting after four years of Roundup Ready soybeans

Some units on Funk WPA have been through the restoration process described above and are now stands of native grass, providing cover for pheasants and other nesting birds.

Grazed areas reduced cattail and increased waterfowl food plants

Grazing was initiated on a couple of areas beginning in 2002. The results are very positive. Areas choked with solid stands of cattail were opened up and provided pockets of annual plants such as smartweed and barnyard grass. Waterfowl use on the grazed wetlands increased dramatically.

In 2007, we completed an interpretive trail around the Peterson, Mallard, and Pintail units of the WPA. Also constructed were large parking lots, an information kiosk, and a concrete path to the handicap accessible viewing/hunting blind.

Funk WPA management units

Funk_WPA_map_of_management_units

Last updated: September 24, 2008