JUNE 2017• NEBRASKAland 69
staunch believers in using prescribed
fire to enhance pastures, and they
promote the practice to other area
ranchers. Though their initial burns
were small, spring fires, they and their
neighbors will now jointly burn over
a thousand acres of pasture. Pfeiffer,
Lang and Brueggemann often help with
the more complicated burns.
Recently, Pfeiffer convinced the
Imminks to try winter burning. "Winter
burns are really great for killing
cedars. Their foliage is so dry that they
succumb easily to the heat and flames,"
said Jon Immink. "The winter fires also
creep through the low ground killing
brush. Later in spring, the grass in
the bottoms is too green to burn. Our
burned pastures always have the best
summer grass and the cows love them."
Cattle are not the only animals
responding well to the Imminks' prairie
management. "Our cedar cutting and
fire has done great things for wildlife.
We now see large flocks of prairie
chickens, and quail are everywhere
in our pastures," said Immink. "The
chickens boom in spring on one of
our hilltop prairies so we graze the
area short each year so the birds will
return."
Over the years, Jon Immink and
Pfeiffer have spent hours together
driving pastures discussing prairie
wildlife and management. Their time
together has forged a mutual trust
which was evident during critical
moments of Immink's prescribed fire
when he relied on Pfeiffer's experience
and advice. The fire training of other
NPLT staff also proved valuable.
When large cedars in a draw erupted
into flames and drifting embers started
spot fires in an adjacent pasture,
Brueggemann had anticipated the threat
and was waiting to dowse them with
water.
At the day's end, the burn safely
done, the 130-acre pasture was littered
with scorched cedars, and relaxing
among friends, Jon Immink's face
held a wide smile. Another successful
Northern Prairies Land Trust project
was complete. ■
NPLT's Chance Brueggemann gazes upon the smoldering aftermath of the prescribed burn on the Immink pasture.
The early March fire resulted in the nearly complete kill of all red-cedars less than 10 feet tall.
PHOTO
BY
GERRY
STEINAUER
