Twenty-two-year ‘megadrought’ experienced throughout the West Agriculture News March 30, 2022April 6, 20220 Photo by SUSAN DOVERSPIKE A sandhill crane taking off in a dry meadow. by Kasey Yanna for Burns Times-Herald According to researchers, the American West is experiencing a 22-year megadrought — the driest conditions it’s seen since the 1500s. Nearly 73 percent of the entire U.S. West (a group of nine states) and 76
Planning under way for Malheur Lake and flood-irrigated wet meadows Agriculture News March 9, 2022March 22, 20221 Photo by Jeremy Hill The Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative recently completed an updated strategic plan, which includes the goal of restoring Malheur Lake back to a clear-water state. by Amy Morfas for Burns Times-Herald The Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative (HBWC) recently completed an updated strategic plan. One of the plan’s goals is to restore
Wildfire resiliency project infused with $5 million Agriculture News February 23, 2022February 23, 20220 Stock photo Partners of the Harney County Wildfire Collaborative will address fire suppression, prevention, and restoration of this sagebrush sea landscape. High Desert Partnership (HDP) was awarded just over $5 million from the Oregon Department of Forestry to implement the Southeast Oregon Wildfire Resiliency (SOWR) Project. The SOWR project will use critical fuel
Two local scientists honored with awards from an international society Agriculture News February 16, 2022February 15, 20220 Dr. Jon Bates and Dr. Kirk Davies, scientists for the Agricultural Research Service at the Eastern Oregon Ag Research Center in Burns, were selected for major awards from the Society for Range Management. These awards were presented last week at the SRM Annual Meeting in Albuquerque, N.M. Bates received the SRM
Otley elected Oregon Farm Bureau second vice president Agriculture Community News December 29, 2021December 28, 20210 Submitted photo Shane Otley will serve a two-year term as Oregon Farm Bureau's second vice president. Shane Otley, member of Harney County Farm Bureau, was elected to serve a two-year term as Oregon Farm Bureau’s (OFB’s) second vice president. Otley was elected to the position by the OFB House of Delegates, a grassroots group
Harney Basin’s ranchers, plants, and wildlife are preparing for winter Agriculture News October 27, 2021October 27, 20210 Photo by JESSICA HEDGES For local ranchers like Mitch Baker, fall is full of activities like caring for cattle. Meanwhile, area plants are going dormant for the winter. by Lauren Brown for Burns Times-Herald Colorful leaves piling on the ground and the crisp, cool mornings mean that fall has arrived in the Harney Basin. For
The impact of the drought is far reaching in Harney County Agriculture News September 22, 2021September 22, 20210 Photo by ANDI HARMON Ranchers moving cattle near Little Stinkingwater. by Lauren Brown Burns Times-Herald It was a hot, dry summer. While it may have been nice for outdoor activities and events, such as weddings and other get-togethers, those long, hot spells created extreme drought conditions for the majority of Harney County. This in
Fire prevention efforts under way in Stinkingwater Mountains Agriculture News September 8, 2021September 8, 20210 Submitted photos Two members of the Harney County Wildfire Collaborative monitoring crew, Megan Ellibee and Danika Piotrowski, at work in the Stinkingwater Mountains region. by Lauren Brown for Burns Times-Herald Each summer, the wildfires in the West dominate the news. This summer, Oregon was home to the largest wildfire in the country. The lightning-caused Bootleg
Hitting the Jackpot: Youth win big at cattle show Agriculture News Youth July 28, 2021July 28, 20210 Submitted photo Held Saturday, July 17 at the Harney County Fairgrounds, the Jackpot Show offered youth an opportunity to exhibit their market and breeding beef projects. The show was open to local youth as well as those from outside the county. Thanks to generous donations from multiple sponsors, the winners took
Spring in the Harney Basin brings hope Agriculture News April 21, 2021April 21, 20210 Photo by SUSAN DOVERSPIKE As everything awakens from the cold winter, water and warmer temperatures bring the landscape to life. By Lauren Brown The spring season is always welcomed with open arms in the Harney Basin. We put the cold, dark winter days in the rearview and watch as the landscape transforms from