In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, Noble County rancher Grady Parmley joins the team to share how prescribed burn associations empower landowners to use fire as a powerful tool for grassland management. Grady recounts his own journey from being intimidated by fire to leading burns on thousands of acres through the North Central Range Improvement Association. With insights from OSU Extension experts John Weir, Dr. Laura Goodman, and Dr. Mark Turner, the episode explores how local PBAs foster neighborly cooperation, reduce wildfire risks, and improve both livestock and wildlife habitat.

Listeners will hear practical tips on equipment, safety, burn planning, and navigating the challenges of leadership and liability. Whether you're curious about how to join a burn association or want to improve your pasture management, this episode offers a blend of storytelling and expert advice that’s as educational as it is inspiring.

Takeaways:

1. Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) help landowners burn safely by pooling equipment, labor, and experience.
2. Grady Parmley transitioned from fire-fearful to a key PBA leader in Noble County.
3. Burn planning and weather forecasting are essential to safe prescribed fire.
4. Equipment like water trailers and side-by-sides are critical infrastructure for burn days.
5. PBAs often struggle with consistent member participation and leadership succession.
6. Cost structures incentivize active membership and help fund equipment and fuel.
7. Proper burns improve pasture visibility, reduce cedar encroachment, and enhance cattle management.
8. Wildlife like quail and deer benefit from restored grassland ecosystems.
9. Post-burn herbicide treatments help manage invasive species like sericea lespedeza and blackberries.
10. Liability concerns can be mitigated through shared responsibility and good communication.

Timestamps:
00:02:07 - Introduction to Grady Parmley and the North Central Range Improvement Association
00:03:13 - Grady's background and how he got into ranching and burning
00:06:41 - Lessons learned from fire mishaps and the importance of burn planning
00:10:11 - Benefits of burn associations and community support
00:12:48 - What a PBA is and how it works
00:14:06 - Coordinating large burns across multiple properties
00:16:52 - Burn equipment and infrastructure
00:18:02 - Challenges of PBA leadership and member participation
00:22:00 - Burn pricing and member incentives
00:25:02 - Visibility and safety benefits from burns
00:27:05 - Wildlife and livestock benefits from prescribed fire
00:30:24 - Managing cedar and invasive species post-burn
00:34:52 - Herbicide strategies to complement fire
00:40:02 - Burn association liability and safety culture
00:47:20 - Expanding PBAs and finding local resources
00:51:02 - Weather tools and planning resources for burns

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What do grasshoppers, prescribed fire, and peer pressure have in common? 
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jason Harmon, the new head of Oklahoma State University’s Natural Resource Ecology and Management department, to find out. 
From his early days counting insects in Wisconsin to leading research on pollinators and rangelands in North Dakota, Dr. Harmon brings a wide-lens perspective to land management—one that blends ecology, culture, and community.

Hosts John Weir, Dr. Laura Goodman, and Dr. Mark Turner chat with Dr. Harmon about everything from cattle grazing and monarch migration to how landowners manage for appearances rather than outcomes. 
They also explore how Oklahoma’s ecological diversity—and its people—are shaping the future of conservation. 
Whether you're passionate about prescribed fire, curious about critters, or just love hearing smart folks talk about working landscapes, this one's for you.

Takeaways

1. Dr. Jason Harmon’s background blends insect ecology with rangeland research.
2. Cultural perceptions influence landowners' willingness to adopt ecologically diverse pastures.
3. Fire remains an unmatched tool for managing range health and reducing woody encroachment.
4. Oklahoma and North Dakota face different stages of similar land challenges.
5. Pollinators are not just bees—grasslands can host hundreds of native insect species.
6. Milkweed interactions with cattle are species-specific and under-researched.
7. Oklahoma’s ecological range—from alligators to bighorn sheep—mirrors the diversity of its management needs.
8. Interdisciplinary collaboration enhances natural resource problem-solving.
9. Prescribed burning is a proactive solution that prevents larger wildfire disasters.
10. OSU’s natural resource programs offer versatile career pathways through specialized tracks.

Timestamps

00:02:05 – Meet Dr. Jason Harmon and his journey to OSU
|00:04:01 – Insect ecology and critter-counting origins
00:06:06 – Cultural peer pressure in land aesthetics
00:13:25 – Comparing North Dakota and Oklahoma land management
00:14:59 – Prescribed fire vs. grazing for ecosystem management
00:22:00 – Calf decomposition and surprising pollinator behavior
00:27:12 – Regal fritillaries and pollinator diversity
00:29:44 – Cattle interaction with milkweed species
00:33:39 – Adjusting to Oklahoma and its colorful town names
00:36:25 – Oklahoma’s ecological diversity and wild inhabitants
00:42:29 – Dr. Harmon’s vision for the department
00:49:00 – Promoting collaboration and public understanding
00:52:53 – Overview of OSU’s undergraduate options in natural resources

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In this episode of Blazin’ Grazin’ and Other Wild Things, we hear from Kayla Moss, Extension Assistant at Oklahoma State University, about her groundbreaking research in Oklahoma. 
Moss shares how she tackled the invasive sericea lespedeza using a combination of fire, herbicide, and grazing. 
She discusses how growing-season burns, when followed by a well-timed herbicide application, delivered the most effective long-term control—reducing sericea cover from 35% to under 1%.

The episode also explores the unexpected return of native legumes after treatment, the resilience of sericea seedbanks, and the practical trade-offs producers face when balancing cattle gains with ecosystem health. 
Supported by co-hosts Dr. Laura Goodman, Dr. Mark Turner, and John Weir, this conversation is full of science-backed strategies, real-world challenges, and relatable advice for any land manager facing invasive species.

Key Takeaways

1. Sericea lespedeza is highly invasive, with seedbanks that can persist for decades.
2. Growing-season fire followed by herbicide application a year later showed the most effective control.
3. Dormant-season fire alone may increase sericea cover.
4. Herbicide applied post-burn can reduce seed production significantly.
5. Cattle weight gains were not negatively affected by growing-season burns.
6. Native legumes like partridge pea and slender lespedeza can repopulate treated areas.
7. Seed germination of sericea is extremely tough, requiring even sulfuric acid in lab settings.
8. The cost of metsulfuron methyl herbicide is under $4 per acre.
9. Spot spraying and drone tech may offer future precision control options.
10. Integrated management is more practical and effective than standalone treatments.

Timestamps

00:01:46 – Meet the hosts and guest, Kayla Moss
00:02:37 – Overview of Osage County research site and plant community
00:03:29 – Introduction to sericea lespedeza and its invasive history
00:05:35 – Existing research gaps and integrating fire, herbicide, and grazing
00:07:04 – Wildlife implications and Bobwhite quail case studies
00:15:13 – Breakdown of treatment methods used in the study
00:19:01 – Impact of dormant vs. growing season fire
00:25:15 – Conditions of prescribed burns and drought effects
00:33:34 – Post-treatment results on sericea cover and seed production
00:40:01 – Native legumes returning after treatment
00:44:01 – Cattle weight gain comparisons and practical advice for landowners
00:51:31 – Final thoughts and takeaways

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The New World Screwworm, once thought gone from U.S. pastures, is creeping north again—and it’s bad news for both livestock producers and wildlife enthusiasts. 
In this episode of Blazin’ Grazin’ and Other Wild Things, Dr. Jonathan Cammack of OSU Extension walks listeners through the pest’s history, the landmark sterile fly eradication program, and the sobering reality that it’s now only 300 miles from the U.S. border. 
We explore how the insect’s gruesome feeding habits devastate livestock and deer populations, why winter weather offers only partial protection, and what producers can do to spot and treat infections early.

The conversation also highlights the equally concerning arrival of the Asian Longhorned Tick in northeast Oklahoma. 
This invasive parasite reproduces asexually, spreads rapidly, and carries livestock diseases already present in nearby states. 
Whether you’re managing a herd, tracking deer health, or just passionate about Great Plains wildlife, this episode delivers timely, practical insight into two pests that demand vigilance.

10 Key Takeaways

1. The New World Screwworm is advancing north from Central America into central Mexico.
2. Eradication in the U.S. was achieved through sterile fly releases starting in the 1950s.
3. Current spread appears to be aided by illegal or uninspected livestock movement.
4. Screwworm larvae feed on both dead and living tissue, causing severe wounds and death.
5. The pest threatens both livestock and wildlife, with deer being particularly vulnerable.
6. Cold winters can limit natural spread, but human-mediated jumps bypass that barrier.
7. Livestock owners should inspect animals weekly and treat all wounds promptly.
8. Few insecticides are approved for screwworm, and their effectiveness is short-lived.
9. The Asian Longhorned Tick is a newly detected invasive species in Oklahoma.
10. Cooperation between the U.S., Mexico, and Panama is key to keeping screwworm at bay.

Time Stamps

00:02:04 – Introduction of Dr. Jonathan Cammack and defining “New World” Screwworm
00:03:17 – Historical presence and eradication in the U.S.
00:05:14 – The sterile fly release program explained
00:08:47 – Early detection challenges and illegal livestock movement
00:10:42 – Life cycle of the screwworm and why it’s so destructive
00:13:41 – Efforts to reopen production and distribution facilities
00:14:50 – Wildlife impacts, with focus on deer mortality
00:18:47 – Challenges in controlling wildlife-borne spread
00:21:06 – Life span, temperature limits, and seasonal spread
00:22:18 – Livestock management practices to reduce risk
00:24:01 – Approved insecticides and treatment limitations
00:27:13 – Update on the Asian Longhorned Tick in Oklahoma
00:30:27 – Why the current screwworm spread is different from past outbreaks
00:31:59 – Resources for producers and wildlife managers

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In this episode, John Weir, Dr. Laura Goodman, and Dr. Mark Turner sit down for a conversation about Forest Stand Improvement (FSI) and how it plays a big role in shaping better wildlife habitats for deer, turkey, and quail—especially right here in Oklahoma. 
They swap stories and share how FSI differs from Timber Stand Improvement (TSI), and why even folks without marketable timber can still benefit from these management techniques.

You’ll hear plenty of real-world advice—how to get more sunlight to the forest floor, which trees to keep or cut, and what tools make the job easier (spoiler: PlantNet and iNaturalist apps get some love). 
They also dig into strategies like girdling, hinge cutting, and selective herbicide use. And of course, no land management talk would be complete without prescribed fire. It's not just about burning—it’s about building a better future for your land.

10 Takeaways:

1. Set clear wildlife goals—know if you're managing for deer, turkey, quail, or all three.
2. FSI is about habitat, not harvest—focus on diversity, not timber value.
3. Sunlight on the forest floor is key to encouraging beneficial plants.
4. Learn your trees—ID skills help you decide what to cut and what to keep.
5. Apps like PlantNet and iNaturalist are handy for identifying flora.
6. Girdling and herbicide are go-to methods for thinning unwanted trees.
7. Hinge cutting adds instant structure that wildlife, especially deer, love.
8. Fire isn't the end—it's a tool to keep your habitat strong and Cedars at bay.
9. Don't fear killing a few oaks—it's sometimes necessary for a better habitat.
10. Mix and match your methods—it's okay to combine tools and tailor your strategy.
     

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to episode and host
02:07 – Forest Stand Improvement (FSI) explained
04:39 – Defining wildlife management objectives (deer, turkey, quail)
07:05 – Importance of considering property size and surrounding landscapes
09:52 – Tools and apps for plant identification (PlantNet, iNaturalist)
12:12 – Recommended guidebooks and Oklahoma State Extension web resources
14:33 – Importance of ongoing plant identification and landowner education
17:11 – Initial steps in forest management: assessing sunlight and tree density
18:25 – Explanation of basal area in forest management
20:01 – Techniques for tree management: girdling and herbicide application
22:29 – Herbicide mixtures and their proper application
26:00 – Advantages and considerations of girdling versus hack-and-squirt methods
27:01 – Explanation of hinge cutting and its benefits for wildlife habitats
32:28 – Special considerations for managing habitats specifically for quail
34:55 – Description and application of hack-and-squirt herbicide method
35:32 – Aerial herbicide application for large-scale forest management
37:18 – Importance of creating variable canopy density
38:33 – Prescribed fire: its crucial role in habitat maintenance
40:24 – Managing fire risks and considerations for snags (standing dead trees)
42:26 – Fire rotation and management practices to minimize wildfire risks
45:00 – Transforming leaf-litter fuel types to herbaceous plants through prescribed fire
46:22 – Historical context of fire management in Oklahoma’s forests
48:01 – Risks of cedar encroachment on turkey roosting trees and forest health
50:00 – Episode wrap-up and summary

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In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, hosts John Weir, Dr. Laura Goodman, and Dr. Mark Turner dig deep into the value of growing season burns. 
They discuss how summer fires, often underused due to misconceptions about safety, can be the most effective tool for land managers dealing with eastern redcedar, poor forage quality, and wildlife habitat degradation. 
Drawing on years of OSU Extension research and firsthand experience, they reveal how fire during the warmer months can be slower-moving and safer than many think.

Listeners will learn how these burns enhance plant nutrition for both cattle and wildlife, why concerns about risk and liability are overblown, and how to plan burns that align with weather and vegetation goals. 
From practical strategies like creating wide firebreaks and managing brush piles to the science behind fire behavior and plant responses, this episode delivers insights that could reshape your approach to land stewardship.


Key Takeaways:

1. Growing season burns are highly effective at controlling larger eastern redcedar trees.
2. Livestock and wildlife benefit from increased forage quality post-burn.
3. Liability concerns around prescribed fire are largely based on perception, not data.
4. Most spot fires are small and manageable; large escapes are extremely rare.
5. Summer burns produce lower flames and slower-moving fires, enhancing safety.
6. Wind and humidity are key parameters in planning a successful burn.
7. Summer burns can expand the burning window, offering more flexibility for landowners.
8. Proper planning, equipment, and training minimize risks and maximize effectiveness.
9. Fire improves not only plant quality but also diet diversity for cattle and wildlife.
10. Growing season fires offer better results than dormant burns in many cases.

Timestamps:

[00:02:00] What is a prescribed fire? Terminology and misconceptions
[00:04:00] The main reasons people burn in the Great Plains
[00:08:00] Forage quality and fire's impact on plant nutrition
[00:13:00] Liability and risk—what the data says about escapes and claims
[00:29:00] Cedar variability and how to burn effectively
[00:36:00] Comparing dormant vs. growing season burns
[00:43:00] Safety and practicality of summer burns
[00:48:00] Rain timing, regrowth, and maximizing burn effectiveness

 

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Oklahoma’s public lands don’t stay healthy by accident. In our latest episode, Jeff Pennington—Central Region Supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation—details how his team shepherds more than 125,000 acres of WMAs with a heavy dose of prescribed fire, targeted grazing, and common-sense biology. 
Deer now headline the habitat bill, but everything from quail coveys to moist-soil wetlands benefits when fire keeps brush in check.

Jeff shares what it takes to ignite 16,000-plus acres a year on a three-year rotation, why summer flames can be gentler than winter ones, and how ODWC’s burn crews coordinate like a home-grown fire association. 
If you manage land, hunt state ground, or simply enjoy Oklahoma’s prairies and oak breaks, Jeff’s mix of hard data and front-line stories—yes, including flaming pants—offers a master class in turning careful burns into better wildlife for all.

Key Takeaways

1. ODWC manages ~125k public acres across central OK.
2. Prescribed fire averages 16–17k acres annually.
3. Three-year intervals balance forage, fuel, and brush.
4. Deer now drive most WMA habitat goals.
5. Cross Timbers require different tactics than limestone prairies.
6. Growing-season burns boost forbs, move cattle, and add diversity.
7. Smoke-dispersion planning is critical near OKC & Tulsa.
8. Burn crews act like an internal “PBA,” sharing gear and labor.
9. Hunters largely support more fire; complaints come when work stops.
10. Private landowners should lean on PBAs and agency tech assistance.

Timestamps

00:00 – 00:45 Show open and light banter
00:46 – 03:30 Jeff’s background and 30-year ODWC career
03:31 – 06:15 Overview of Central-Region WMAs (≈ 125 k acres across five regions)
06:16 – 08:45 Deer now “king”; quail decline and shifting habitat priorities
08:46 – 11:30 Prescribed-fire program burning 16–17 k acres per year
11:31 – 14:15 Key habitat types: Cross Timbers and limestone prairies
14:16 – 17:30 Three-year burn rotation and grazing synergy
17:31 – 20:30 Expanded dormant-season burn window and timing logic
20:31 – 23:15 Growing-season burns—benefits, limits, and wildlife response
23:16 – 26:00 Crew logistics: ODWC’s “internal burn association” approach
26:01 – 29:00 Smoke-dispersion planning near OKC and Tulsa metro areas
29:01 – 31:15 Hunter perceptions then vs. now; increased support for fire
31:16 – 34:30 Landowner tips: Prescribed Burn Associations and agency assistance
34:31 – 36:45 Memorable burns, including the famous “pants-on-fire” moment
36:46 – 39:00 Final takeaways, thank-yous, and episode wrap-up

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In this episode of Blazin’ Grazin’ and Other Wild Things, Josh Richardson from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation unpacks the challenges and triumphs of managing wildlife habitat on the state’s overwhelmingly privately owned lands. 
With a background in both private and migratory species work, Josh brings a wealth of experience to the table—from quail tracking with GPS to helping landowners realistically match goals with land capacity. 
He highlights the importance of passion, persistence, and partnerships in building thriving ecosystems.

Listeners will hear stories of grassroots conservation in action—friends clearing cedars, landowners creating firebreaks, and people even seeking to attract beavers. 
Josh walks through how to tap into Oklahoma's Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), explains how free assistance works, and reminds us that no acreage is too small to make a difference. 
Whether you’re new to land ownership or part of a multi-generational ranching family, this episode is filled with tools, tips, and inspiration for stewarding the land well.

Timestamps

00:02:00 – Introduction to Josh Richardson and his role
00:03:50 – Background in wildlife and education
00:05:17 – Quail research and hunter behavior
00:07:26 – Private land conservation challenges
00:10:26 – Most requested wildlife species
00:13:46 – Social dynamics and landowner collaboration
00:15:04 – Case study: local habitat success story
00:17:33 – Recommendations for new landowners
00:22:36 – WHIP and cost-share programs overview
00:25:23 – Practices covered and custom project examples
00:31:38 – Misconceptions about cedar as habitat
00:34:54 – Program accessibility and how to get involved

Key Takeaways

1. 95% of Oklahoma's land is privately owned—making private landowners vital for wildlife conservation.
2. The ODWC Private Lands team is small but highly active, providing free technical assistance statewide.
3. Interest in wildlife-friendly land management is growing, especially among recreational landowners.
4. Cost-share programs like WHIP support practices such as cedar removal, firebreaks, and wetland creation.
5. Josh emphasizes the value of realistic goals and working with local context and constraints.
6. Collaborative landowner efforts, like buddy systems for cedar cutting, can lead to large-scale impact.
7. Misconceptions about cedar trees being prime wildlife cover persist but often mislead habitat goals.
8. Absentee landowners can be easier to work with due to fewer entrenched practices or local norms.
9. Even small-acreage landowners are eligible for help—no size limit for assistance.
10. Good habitat work spreads through communities when neighbors see successful results.

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In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, we travel through the story of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve with Bob Hamilton from The Nature Conservancy. 
Bob shares how this iconic Oklahoma landscape transitioned from a failed federal park plan to a flagship private conservation project. 
He recounts the acquisition of the land, the reintroduction of bison, and the development of a dynamic management model that utilizes fire and grazing to simulate natural prairie processes.

Joining Oklahoma State University’s John Weir and Dr. Laura Goodman, Bob discusses how fire behaves on the prairie, how patch-burn grazing supports a variety of wildlife, and how GPS tracking has helped compare cattle and bison behavior. 
From historic land surveys to present-day fireline strategies, this conversation highlights decades of dedication to restoring and maintaining Oklahoma’s native grasslands.

Ten Things You'll Learn

1. The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve was established following a failed federal plan, leading to private conservation leadership.
2. Bob Hamilton played a pivotal role in land acquisition and ecosystem restoration.
3. The preserve uses a “managed chaos” approach to mimic natural fire-grazing interactions.
4. Bison were reintroduced in 1993 with a genetically diverse, disease-free starter herd.
5. Patch-burn grazing creates varied habitats that benefit different wildlife species.
6. Historical vegetation maps indicate that the Cross Timbers forest existed in 1872 and remains extant today.
7. Prescribed fires are conducted without traditional firebreaks, instead using water and topography to create a safe environment.
8. GPS-collared studies show that cattle and bison gravitate toward recently burned areas due to the improved forage quality.
9. Collaborative research with OSU has refined patch-burn grazing models and invasive species control.
10. Diversity in prairie structure supports nesting birds, small mammals, and native plants.

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In this fiery new episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, we bring the heat with special guests from Quail Forever—Tanner Swank and Adam Ray. 
They join host John Weir and Dr. Mark Turner to discuss how fire, community collaboration, and science-based management are revitalizing Oklahoma's native grasslands and Cross Timbers. 
Learn how Quail Forever's landscape-level work benefits not only game species like bobwhite and pheasant, but also pollinators, deer, and the entire ecosystem.

From confronting cedar invasion to empowering landowners through prescribed burn associations, this episode dives deep into practical strategies and inspiring partnerships. 
Whether you’re a land manager, Extension professional, or outdoorsperson, you’ll leave with a renewed appreciation for the power of fire and the people who wield it wisely.
 

• Fire is essential to maintaining grassland and oak woodland ecosystems.
• Quail Forever uses birds as indicator species to assess ecosystem health.
• Eastern redcedar encroachment threatens both forest and grassland systems.
• Prescribed burn associations are the backbone of landowner-led conservation.
• Fire helps restore balance in plant communities and increases biodiversity.
• Landowners benefit from collaborative burning to manage larger tracts effectively.
• Cross Timbers forests are under-managed and underutilized.
• Private lands are critical to restoring native habitats across the Great Plains.
• Native shrubs are necessary for quail habitat—but trees like cedar are not.
• The “Torch Bunnies” highlight the social and cultural side of prescribed fire.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome and guest introductions
01:00 – What is Quail Forever and its mission in Oklahoma
04:00 – Tanner and Adam’s background and love for fire ecology
06:00 – Managing the Cross Timbers and upland oak forests
13:00 – Common management prescriptions for landowners
18:00 – Wildlife benefits from habitat restoration
19:00 – Great Plains Grassland Initiative and fire strategy
22:30 – Prairie chickens, woody encroachment, and indicator species
25:00 – Shrub vs. tree encroachment: what quail really need
29:00 – Why private landowners are key to large-scale restoration
31:00 – Building large-scale burn units with neighboring landowners
35:00 – Partnerships and prescribed burn associations
38:00 – Resources and how to get involved
39:30 – Secret society of the "Torch Bunnies"
40:57 – Closing remarks

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