Wildlife Food Plot Field Day

EXTENSION UPDATE

By Elena Toro

Agriculture/Natural Resources Extension Agent

UF/IFAS Suwannee County Extension



There’s a popular saying that reads “seeing is believing” and just a few weeks ago over eighty avid hunters and wildlife enthusiasts had the opportunity to find out which wildlife food plot blends and cool season forages grow best in our area.



A “walking tour” of twenty-four wildlife food plots established at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center- Suwannee Valley was conducted on Saturday, March 7. The objective of this event was to highlight the importance of soil testing, selecting blends and forage varieties and managing stands throughout the cool season to increase chances of having productive stands for wildlife.



The day started with Andy Jackson from the Suwannee Co. Conservation District welcoming attendees and offering an overview of the importance of supporting this type of educational event. Joel Love with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Sciences (FDACS) gave a summary of the field activities conducted from the time the plots were planted back in the last week of October to the day of the event.



Dr. Ann Blount and Dr. Steve Olson from the University of Florida went into great detail about the adaptation, nutritional value of the plants and the costs involved with planting different blends and forages. Finally, I covered the significance of soil testing and adjusting pH in the soil by liming when soil tests show adjustments are needed. Chris Menhennett, District Conservationist was also present to respond to questions regarding cost share funds for conservation practices.



During the tour, Joel Love, Environmental Specialist “emphasized the importance of conducting split fertilizer applications so that plants can absorb nutrients as needed and produce more forage throughout the season. Most people plant the plots and never come back to fertilize” he added. In addition, Dr. Ann Blount, Forage Breeder with the University of Florida was able to show the difference between forages that are not adapted to local climate conditions versus using adapted varieties like the newly released variety of oats Horizon 201. Varieties not adapted to our area will suffer disease problems especially when planted before October 15 and yield very little or no forage.



The morning was packed with information that attendees could take back and use to improve their chances for success when planting stands next season. Some plots included high quality forages that attract wildlife such as Oats, Rye, Blue Lupine, Austrian Winter Peas, different types of greens (Brassicas) and Chicory among others. This demonstration area also helped identify blends that perform poorly even when properly planted and managed.



“Take Home” messages included:

· Conduct a soil test to determine pH and the concentration of nutrients in the soil.

· Lime the soil if soil test results call for it.

· Read the label in the bag of seed before buying. Use adapted varieties developed for our particular growing conditions.

· Use forage blends to increase the longevity and stability of the plot, as well as supply variety to suit multiple wildlife species.

· Winter legumes are more productive and dependable on the heavier clay soils of northwest Florida, or on sandy soils that are underlain by a clay layer, than on deep upland sands or sandy flatwoods.

· The pH of the soil must be a 6.0 or higher for most cool season forages.

· Plant between October 15 and November 15.

· Always use an inoculant when planting legumes.

As a follow-up to this effort, event organizers are planning to establish summer wildlife food plots at NFREC-SV in the coming weeks and conduct an event later in the summer so that those interested can build on what they learned during the walking tour. The Wildlife Food Plot Field Day was made possible because of the work and commitment of the Suwannee County Conservation District, FDACS, UF/IFAS Extension and Research and the UF North Florida Research and Education Center-Suwannee Valley.



Before I finish this article I would like to share with you that every year a team of specialists from UF put together a publication titled “Fall Forage Update” that includes all the recommended varieties for cool season forages based on variety trials. You can access that publication by going online to the IFAS Extension Website- Solutions for Your Life (http://www.solutionsforyourlife.org) and typing Fall Forage Update on the search engine or you can contact the Extension Office at 386-362-2771 and we will gladly make sure you get a copy of this publication.

Just as a reminder, Extension programs are open to all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person needing a special accommodation to participate in any activity should contact the Suwannee County Cooperative Extension Service at 1302 Eleventh Street, SW, Live Oak, Florida 32060 or telephone (386) 362-2771 at least five working days prior to the event. Hearing impaired can access the foregoing telephone by contacting the Florida Relay Service at 1-800-955-8770 or 800-955-8772 (TDD).

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