I’m not sure this mild winter is a blessing or a curse, but now is a good time to take advantage of the above-normal temperatures and perform some infield chores before we take a turn for the worse.

This is an excellent time of year to clean up field edges by cutting back overhanging branches and dead or dying trees.

This practice helps crop production and controls weeds but can also benefit wildlife if you take a few extra steps. Newly trimmed branches make excellent browse for deer and small game through the winter and by placing branches into piles you can provide year round cover and habitat.

To create brush piles, crisscross 6- to 8-inch-logs for the base then add branches until the piles are about 6 feet tall. The branches can be loosely piled so light can penetrate and allow for grass and forbs to grow up through allowing for additional cover. Brush piles provide habitat for about half an acre, so placing them sporadically along a field edge would be the most beneficial.

It’s also a good time to investigate drain outlets for debris or plugging and clean up weeds and brush around the outlet pipe.

The outlet pipes should have an animal guard; either two stainless steel bolts installed horizontally or a flapper style. If the latter is chosen make sure the guard is completely in the pipe. If not, animals can flip the guard up and out of the way defeating its purpose.

Drain lines in fields and waterways should be inspected too to look for blowout or line damage and standing water. If damage is noted the area should be dug up and new perforated tubing should be installed in a manner that both ends are directly connected to a clean section of existing tubing and the area should be bedded heavily in gravel.

Grassed waterways should be walked to look for gully erosion or scouring. These areas should be noted and repaired early in the spring and reseeded with tall fescue and oats.

As you review your planting records from the past season take a look at the date on your most recent soil sample. If it’s a couple years old now would be a good time to pull some new ones. Having current samples details any liming requirement and can save a lot in fertilizer if P and K levels are near optimal.

These are just a few simple tasks that sometimes get overlooked but fitting them into the schedule now can save a lot of time and aggravation down the road.

Andy Gaver is a conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Butler County.