Farm Use
Improve your land use with Sharp Brothers Seed!
Native plants are best for conservation, wildlife habitat and even livestock forage. That's why the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) gives you extra incentives for using them. CRP specialists at Sharp Brothers Seed will help you create a seed blend to maximize your CRP score–and do the best job for your land over the long term. They can also advise you about cost-sharing opportunities and where to find services such as drilling and herbiciding.
These native species are economical, widely available and offer prime sources of wildlife food and cover. Choose five or more to mix with approved Missouri native warm season grasses and raise your CRP score.
- Grayhead Coneflower
- Roundhead Bushclover
- Lanceleaf Coreopsis
- Partridge Pea
- Rattlesnake Master
- Purple Coneflower
- Illinois Bundleflower
- Prairie Blazing Star
- Purple Prairie Clover
- Pale Purple Coneflower
- White Wild Indigo
- Ashy Sunflower
- Foxglove Beardtongue
- Get ready to plant - Bare soil drilling: roll or culti-pack the soil first, then drill. Bare soil broadcasting: roll or culti-pack before and after planting. Drilling into existing vegetation: spray with a non-selective herbicide in the fall. In late February or early March when vegetation begins to green up, spray again with a non-selective herbicide plus Plateau, then drill your seed. Broadcasting into existing vegetation: use the same herbicide regime, plus burn just prior to planting. Broadcast with a carrier such as potash, cracked corn, or vermiculite, then roll or culti-pack.
- Calibrate your drill - All native seeds require a very shallow planting depth. This is critical. Planting too deeply has led to more failed and slowly established stands than any other factor.
- Choose your maintenance regime - Natives are low maintenance and may only need treatment once or twice during your contract.(see the official CRP guidelines for full details)
- Don't want to do it yourself? - Hire a knowledgeable and experienced native plant contractor.
Native warm-season grasses and wildflowers provide excellent quality livestock forage and long-lasting beauty! Native forage is highly palatable and very nutritious. It also provides better gains and livestock health during the heat and drought of summer than exotic, cool-season pastures. Aside from being a wise, long-term investment in your land, Missouri natives promise lasting beauty for your farm and rural neighborhood. Missouri natives are your conservation heritage–and your farm's gift to the future.
