Michael and Cynthia Kelly, owners of Kelly Ranch on the southern edge of the Nebraska Sandhills, are this year's official winners of the National Environmental Stewardship Award. The award winners were recognized at the 2003 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn.

The Kelly Ranch is a prime example of exceptional stewardship practices, a family owned and managed integrated cow/calf and stocker operation, which has been in the family since 1885.

The combined ranches include both owned and leased land, comprising approximately 20,000 acres of native Sandhill grass, 500 acres of native meadow hay, 350 acres of irrigated alfalfa and 130 acres of irrigated corn. In addition to the native grasses, livestock are supplemented in the winter months with the meadow hay, alfalfa and corn raised on the ranch.

"The Kelly family operation was selected as this year's top national winner for their extensive, long-lasting soil and water conservation techniques, developed and maintained in an especially challenging natural environment - the Nebraska Sandhills," says NCBA President Wythe Willey. "They are an incredible role model for all of us."

The Kelly operation is also the first regional and national winner to have been nominated by an environmental organization, The Nature Conservancy.

"Cattle producers are the original stewards of the land, and it is rewarding to hear that environmental groups are acknowledging our efforts. We really are moving in the right direction in terms of environmental stewardship when groups such as The Nature Conservancy are not only acknowledging our hard work but nominating cattle producers for awards," says Willey.

All livestock on the Kelly ranch are on a planned rotational grazing system allowing the range some rest during the growing season. As a result, the Kellys have realized not only an increase in available forages for livestock, but witnessed an increase in wildlife on the ranch as well.

Ranch enhancements by the Kellys include seven miles of cross fencing, 11 livestock water wells, 7,818 feet of livestock water pipeline, 12 new windmills and 19 new livestock water tanks. In addition they have planted 11,178 trees for livestock and wildlife windbreaks. Of these improvements 1.5 miles of fence, new windmills and 2.5 miles of pipeline have been funded through cost-sharing programs with both Environmental Quality Incentive Program and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program funding.

"I am honored to have been selected from all of the impressive regional winners as this year's national winner," says Mike Kelly. "I should note that partnerships have helped me financially to do things I couldn't afford to do myself. These are things that I wanted to do - improving our ranches by enhancing forage production and utilization, restoring the condition of the riparian areas along the North Platte and Birdwood Creek, enhancing wildlife habitat and protecting the water quality of our aquatic systems. I am glad we can make a difference."

The Kellys have worked with numerous groups to achieve their production and environmental goals for their ranch, including: The Nature Conservancy of Nebraska, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sandhills Task Force, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District.

The regional and national winners received bronze sculptures by western artist Vern Friesen. The bronze was presented to the winners at the NCBA convention in Nashville in January. ©