Greg Brenneman,
agricultural engineering field specialist
Situation
Many new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts involve seeding native
warm season grasses to promote a superior wildlife habitat. Most landowners
do not have experience seeding such grasses and have many questions about how
the process should be carried out. Because seeding costs from $65 to $350 per
acre, it is very important for landowners to seed correctly to avoid seeding
failure.
Response
To address landowner questions, test plots were completed in Washington and
Iowa counties with the purpose of exploring different ways of establishing native
grasses and forbs. Photos were taken and observations were noted throughout
the growing season, and this information was later used at follow-up meetings.
In August and September, four wildlife habitat management field days were held
at the southeast Research Farm and at Lake Sugema, as well as in Iowa County.
The field days were held in conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS), Iowa DNR and Pheasants Forever. Three field days were directed
at producers and landowners with CRP contracts, and one provided training for
conservation professionals who will advise landowners. To publicize the event,
a mailing was sent to those on a list of CRP participants provided by NRCS.
Information on native grass seeding/habitat management was also presented at
a Crop Advantage Meeting in Cedar Rapids and at a Master Conservationist class
in Mahaska County. Additional plots are planned for the summer of 2004 in Wapello,
Johnson, and Washington Counties.
Impact
In total, approximately 160 people attended the various sessions and gave positive
feedback. Participants included active farmers, landowners, acreage owners,
and staff members from NRCS, FSA and county conservation boards. Follow-up conversations
have shown participants are practicing the seeding and weed control techniques
discussed during the field days and meetings. These techniques include spraying
bromegrass in the fall for improved control, and completing late fall dormant
seeding as well as frost seeding for improved grasses and forbs.
Page last updated:
July 9, 2006
Page maintained by Linda Schultz, lschultz@iastate.edu
