Thank you to all of the Sandhills ranchers who shared their information with us. Thanks to your help and feedback we exceeded our target response rate of 20%.
In 2019 a survey was produced and made accessible to ranchers in Holt and Cherry counties in Nebraska. The goals of this survey were to get a better understanding of rancher hay cutting practices and how those practices coincide with Nebraska bird conservation.
A paper version of the survey questionnaire was sent to the addresses of Nebraska ranchers through publically available parcel ownership information. Completed surveys were returned to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The survey packet included a short description as to the nature and purpose of the survey. Respondents had the opportunity to take the survey from February 6, 2019 through March 31, 2019.
There were 823 invited to participate in the survey, 529 did not return a survey, there were 65 who returned a survey and did not consent, and 229 who completed the survey (a response rate of 27.8%). The total number of responses given for each question are depicted below. Respondents that did not provide an answer are not included.
Respondents were asked basic questions about their connections with ranching and some of their ranching practices. Questions ranged from years spent with ranching to haying practices.
No responses were given for the third choice: “Tenant”. Other responses included: “power of attorney”, “married to rancher”, “management”, and “family own”.
The specificity of responses for this question varied from “when it’s dry” to “June 1st”. Some answered with only the month, while others offered the week (example: 1st or 2nd week in July). Responses were combined by the month described.
The specificity of responses for this question varied from “depends on weather” to “Labor Day.” Some answered with only the month, while others offered the week (example: 1st or 2nd week in July). Responses were combined by the month described.
Prairie meadows are often saturated in the spring and fall. Repondents were asked if they were willing to retain or restore standing water during different migration times.
Respondents were asked the species they hunted and to what organizations they belong.
Many ranching operations depend on prairie meadows to graze cattle and produce hay. Nebraska meadows also serve as habitat for wild game birds and native songbirds. Studies have shown that waiting to cut hay until after the middle of July improves the chances that birds can nest and raise chicks successfully.