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LINCOLN COUNTY - When wildlife refuge land near the border of Lincoln and Lyon Counties was opened for grazing in 2024, it wasn't only livestock farmers who benefited, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Brandon Semel said. It was also something that helped keep the grassland healthy.
Now, the Fish and Wildlife Service is again seeking bidders for cash rent cattle grazing in Lincoln County. The Big Stone Wetland Management District is accepting bids for three grazing units, ranging in size from 140 to 480 acres. Bids will be due by noon on Oct. 16.
Semel said another area of refuge land around Gislason Lake will be fenced in for grazing contracts for up to three years.
In 2024, half of the Gislason Lake unit of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was fenced in and made available for short-term grazing. Gislason Lake is located on land right on the border of Lyon and Lincoln Counties.
"That went really well," Semel said of the program. Having grazing in the Gislason Lake refuge helped create an environment with different lengths of grass, and encouraged a mix of native prairie plants to grow, Semel said. The grazing also helped create access to treat or get rid of invasive trees on the grassland, he said.
"We were able to improve grassland habitat in this way," he said.
Semel said the new short-term grazing program will start around May 15. The purpose of the program is to use grazing to reduce the amount of plants like smooth brome on the grassland, and encourage the growth of native prairie plants.
Bid packets for the short-term grazing program may be picked up at the Big Stone Wetland Management District on County Road 19 in Odessa, or be received by email. Sealed bids are due back by noon on Oct. 16.
Semel said people interested in bidding for grazing can contact him at brandon_semel@fws.gov, or (320) 808-9470 for more information.