Submitted Photo Brenda and Kerry Dockter are recipients of the 2020 North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award for management practices on their ranch near Denhoff.

DENHOFF – Kerry Dockter believes you’re never too old to learn.

As a result, his family’s beef cattle ranch near Denhoff operates in a constant state of adaption and innovation, thanks to his careful observation, openness to new perspectives and ability to work with researchers and nature. That type of management led to the selection of the Dockter-Jensen Ranch as the recipient of the 2020 North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the prestigious award recognizes private landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife resources in their care.

In North Dakota, Sand County Foundation presents the award with American Farmland Trust, North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition, North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.

The Dockter and Jensen families will receive $10,000 and a crystal award.

“The way they live and manage their operation is an outstanding model in the implementation of voluntary conservation and outreach on the role private landowners play in conservation. They are a true inspiration for other landowners,” said Jerry Doan, president of the N.D. Grazing Lands Coalition.

Dockter returned home after college to ranch with his parents, Theo and Norma. In the four decades since, Kerry and his wife, Brenda, have become land management innovators. They’ve tested ways to enhance wildlife and pollinator habitat while improving the ranch’s bottom line. Utilizing cattle as a tool to improve the land for future generations is a practice they’ve come to know well.

The Dockters never lost sight of the fact that native grasslands are the backbone of their grazing operation. As a result, they developed rotational grazing systems to promote a diversity of native grasses. They’ve extended the grazing season while producing forage for the winter. Longer recovery periods between grazings allows the grass to stimulate root development while sequestering carbon.

When few ranchers in North Dakota were willing to try fire as a management tool, the Dockters used prescribed burns to enhance wildlife and pollinator habitat thanks to a strong working relationship with The Nature Conservancy.

The ranch sits in the heart of the Missouri Coteau (mixed-grass prairie) “Duck Factory” of Sheridan County. They’ve collaborated with North Dakota State University and other researchers to demonstrate the compatibility of cattle grazing with waterfowl and grassland bird production.

Haying now occurs after mid-July to allow grassland-nesting birds the time needed to hatch. Frequent dialogue with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and allowing hunters access to their land, further shows regulators and the public the compatibility of grass-based agriculture with vibrant wildlife populations.

The Dockters have been able to increase the stocking rate of their pastures, while protecting their soil thanks to embracing a suite of conservation practices. On other parts of the ranch, innovative crop rotations, no-till practices and cover crops have improved soil health while eliminating erosion. Such efforts earned the family the Sheridan County Soil Conservation Achievement Award in 1994.

Much of the ranch’s native grassland and wetlands are permanently protected by conservation easements that ensure future access for grass-based agricultural uses.

Dockter Ranch changed its name to Dockter-Jensen Ranch when one of the Dockters’ three daughters, Kristi, and her husband, Kyle Jensen, moved back to help, learn and someday take over the ranch. Family members each have served on local school boards, township boards, fire departments and agricultural organizations.