Specifications include, but are not limited to: This Invitation for Bid is intended for the establishment of a permit for the purpose of planting and harvesting grain crops on Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks managed land on the Milford Wildlife Area. There will be one (1) Permit area to bid totaling approximately 272.79 acres, having multiple tracts of land to be farmed with multiple types of crops. Currently, this acreage is divided into thirteen (13) separate fields. 4.4. All terms, conditions, and requirements of agricultural activities on these lands are detailed in the Agricultural Production Permit, Annual Permit and attached tract maps. Permittee must recognize that the Department is utilizing farming permits solely for the benefit of wildlife on land they manage and that agricultural practices and conditions may differ from those commonly used in the private sector. Permittee must also recognize and understand that wildlife management and public use constitute the primary operation objectives for the Milford Wildlife Area. Farming practices are utilized as a method of land management to provide habitat conditions necessary for the well-being of a diverse population of wildlife species. 4.5. An annual crop rotation is required, however due to flooding, noxious weed development, and other unforeseen circumstances, changes in the crops may occur and may be allowed with prior written approval from the Wildlife Area Manager. Unauthorized crop changes may result in revocation of the agriculture permit and loss of any future rights of the Department’s agricultural lands. 4.6. Diverse crop rotation on these areas will be required and permittee will not be allowed to plant more than 45% of any one crop type on permittee’s acres each year. Crops will be assigned by the area manager. Crop types may include but are not limited to corn, milo, soybeans, wheat, oats and sunflowers. Cover crops will also be planted on 50% of the lease acres each year following the cash crop, rates and mixes will be specified by the area manager. Cost share on cover crop seed may be available through the Milford Wraps group, contact Adam Bauer at 785-410- 0040 for more information. 4.7. As a part of the permit, the permittee will plant and leave a minimum of six (6) rows of corn or milo standing around the outside of each field for wildlife benefit. The entire soybean, oat or wheat acreage shall be harvested unless otherwise specified during annual planning. All fields and/or field borders will receive the same amount of fertilizer, herbicide, etc. as portions of fields to be harvested. 4.8. All existing infrastructure such as terraces, field entrances and waterways are to be maintained by the permittee. No-till is preferred but not required. Terraces are expected to be maintained at a minimum height of 12 inches. All minor erosion ditches are expected to be filled in by the permittee. If significant work is needed the area manager should be notified. Ex. new culvert, new terrace, wider grass strip to catch runoff, tree removal, etc.
