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Floyd County PF gives out seed to wildlife enthusiasts

By Amie Johansen amie@charlescitypress.com

One way to make life easier on wildlife in Northern Iowa is to plant food plots.

“January through March are critical months for food availability for wildlife survival,” Floyd County Pheasants Forever President Dave Van Waus said. “Most Iowa-over-winter wildlife benefit from a good available food source. This includes all species from songbirds to deer.”

To ensure food is available during the critical, harsh months of winter, food plots can be planted wherever possible.

“All food plots should be planted immediately if not sooner,” Van Waus said.

According to Van Waus, Pheasants Forever has been giving away food plot seed for the past 25 years.

“Last year we gave over 200 acres worth of corn, 35 to 40 acres worth of soybeans, 40 to 50 acres worth of grain sorghum and 10 acres of sunflowers,” he said.

Much of the seed Pheasants Forever hands out is donated.

“The corn and beans, 90 percent is donated by producers and seed corn salesman of one year old seed that they cannot use the following year for crop production,” Van Waus said. “Grain sorghum and sunflower seed we purchase from PF seed.”

There are no requirements to use Pheasant Forever’s seed.

“Anyone from wildlife enthusiasts to producers who can find space anywhere from a half acre to three acres (should plant food plots),” Van Waus said.

Planting a food plot is done differently than an acreage for the purpose of production.

“Lowering the seed populations are always better in food plots,” Van Waus said.

Lower populations creates a heartier/ stronger plant. Seed maturity doesn’t matter for food plots because the crop is not harvested for money, but instead harvested as needed by wildlife.

“Planting corn at a lower plant population per acre than producers will lead to a stronger, bigger stem for standability through winter,” he said.

Weed control during the growing season and fertilizing the soil, is critical for good food plot production. This assures there will be food left for the cold months ahead.

Food plot seed can be picked up at CarQuest on 507 N. Main St. Charles City. CarQuest will also accept seed donations on behalf of Pheasants Forever.

Floyd County PF gives out seed to wildlife enthusiasts

 

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