NEWS FLASH: Drought ends at Ponderosa

Hang on day. Yesterday, March 18th, it was 87 degrees and I sprayed Simazine in the tree rows. During the night it changed from balmy to blizzard. Top winds near 80. Lots of roads closed in Western Kansas. Lots of tree damage and power lines down. Line crews were having trouble getting to the damage with the blowing snow and drifted roads. Forecast of 54 for tomorrows high. Ponderosa had tree damage and power outage, but survived another day. Lots of cover here so I think the birds will be fine.
 
Hang on day. Yesterday, March 18th, it was 87 degrees and I sprayed Simazine in the tree rows. During the night it changed from balmy to blizzard. Top winds near 80. Lots of roads closed in Western Kansas. Lots of tree damage and power lines down. Line crews were having trouble getting to the damage with the blowing snow and drifted roads. Forecast of 54 for tomorrows high. Ponderosa had tree damage and power outage, but survived another day. Lots of cover here so I think the birds will be fine.
 
East side is getting plenty as well. Never like to miss any rain but it's starting to interfere with planting in our area. Still a lot of corn to go in and id say beans are behind as well
 
Send some of that rain north, we are pretty dry here in NW IA, guessing 75% of the planting is done near me. Happy you folks are getting soakers.
 
Haven't had much to report this year at the Ponderosa until yesterday and got 1.25"
Since the first of the year snows of 6, 2, 2 and 1" maybe at most an inch of moisture.
Rains of 0.25, 0.05, 0.05, 0.50, 0.20, 0.10, 0.25" for a total of 1.40", although those little sprinkles don't do much.
Overall, the winter wheat looks good, thanks to last year's abundant moisture. My pond that was totally full last year is now dry. Fortunately, we have survived numerous red flag days with 40-50 mph winds and humidity in the 8% range.
Hoping for a good bird hatch and fawn recruitment this year. Last year was a bust for us and big bucks and I haven't found any big sheds this spring. I have been seeing a good number of whitetails, but zero mulies at the moment. Hearing the pheasants, but not seeing any hens, but the cover is outstanding. Seeing a number of quail pairs around the ranch. Not many turkey at the moment, but they come and go at the Ponderosa. Last year was disappointing with the turkey, I had hens in the farmyard when they should have been on the nest and I didn't see any hatches.
Always hopeful here at the Ponderosa that all will come together for an abundant year of healthy critters.
 
Last edited:
Haven't had much to report this year at the Ponderosa until yesterday and got 1.25"
Since the first of the year snows of 6, 2, 2 and 1" maybe at most an inch of moisture.
Rains of 0.25, 0.05, 0.05, 0.50, 0.20, 0.10, 0.25" for a total of 1.40", although those little sprinkles don't do much.
Overall, the winter wheat looks good, thanks to last year's abundant moisture. My pond that was totally full last year is now dry. Fortunately, we have survived numerous red flag days with 40-50 mph winds and humidity in the 8% range.
Hoping for a good bird hatch and fawn recruitment this year. Last year was a bust for us and big bucks and I haven't found any big sheds this spring. I have been seeing a good number of whitetails, but zero mulies at the moment. Hearing the pheasants, but not seeing any hens, but the cover is outstanding. Seeing a number of quail pairs around the ranch. Not many turkey at the moment, but they come and go at the Ponderosa. Last year was disappointing with the turkey, I had hens in the farmyard when they should have been on the nest and I didn't see any hatches.
Always hopeful here at the Ponderosa that all will come together for an abundant year of healthy critters.
Turkeys are weird. I do a fair amount of back road driving during work. The last couple years I would have sworn that they were gone. This year I have seen a bunch here in north east Kansas. Have only seen one pheasant though
 
Back
Top