Burning has been a common tool used for land renewal in Wisconsin since the time of the earliest inhabitants. Controlled fires remove dormant vegetation and litter, exposing the soil to the sun and promoting new growth. Prescribed fires are conducted throughout the managed grasslands on a five-year rotation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planting and harvesting can be compatible land use on range that supports prairie chickens. Farming activity in the late 19th century and early 20th century provided a source of food and shelter. Set-aside land soon produced a diversity of weeds and grasses that were excellent brooding areas for hens with young chicks. Older, more established growth that followed provided nesting cover.

 

To create this cycle of soil and vegetation manipulation, small areas on managed land are planted in a crop rotation of corn, oats, and hay. Where there is a corn crop, a portion is left standing for winter food. After two years of planting corn, each area is seeded to grass and cut for hay for two more years. This is followed by several years of undisturbed grass. Then the farming cycle begins again.

 

 

Grazing is a valuable grassland management tool and has been an important part of the prairie chicken management program since the mid 1980's. Carefully regulated grazing can control unwanted woody vegetation and stimulate desirable grassland plants.