Quail Unlimited, NaTURF and Sharp Brothers

The team to help you bring back the bobwhite call on your land!

Sharp Brothers Seed Company became a preferred marketing associate of the Native Turf Group in November of 2003. Native Turf Group is a consortium of companies that has been breeding, developing and marketing "NaTURF" brand turf-type Buffalo Grass since 1991. NaTURF brand seeded Buffalo Grass varieties from Native Turf Group bring you the benefits of the native turf species Buffalo Grass that are improved for turf qualities and more attractive for general turf use.

Quail Unlimited (QU), America's leader in quail conservation, and Sharp Brothers Seed Company have partnered to provide low-cost quail nesting and brood mixes for landowners and quail enthusiasts.

The native grass and forb mixes available from QU and Sharp Brothers are designed to provide the short, bunch grass growth form that is preferred by bobwhites. In addition to the grasses, a variety of preferred forbs are included to provide overhead structure and attract insects for ideal bugging sites for quail chicks. These grass and forb mixtures can be planted along field borders, non-farmed odd areas, forest openings and abandoned crop fields, and to replace nonnative species that provide poor quality habitat such as Fescue and Bermuda Grass.

Two mixes are available at this time. One, known as the "Eastern Mix", is designed for areas receiving more than 35 inches of rainfall per year. This mix contains grass varieties that will remain at preferred quail height even in higher rainfall areas. The second mix, known as the "Western Mix", has a small amount of taller grass varieties added and is adapted to sites receiving less than 35 inches of rainfall per year.


To Place orders for these two mixes, you must contact
QU National Habitat Office
868 Road 290, Americus, KS 66835
620-443-5834, (fax) 620-443-5817

Eastern/ High Rainfall Mix
Little Bluestem 2.0pls# per acre
Sideoats Grama 1.0pls# per acre
Virginia Wildrye .5pls# per acre
Tall Dropseed .5pls# per acre
Forb Mix .5pls# per acre

Forb mix includes: Illinois Bundleflower, Showy Partridge Pea, Plains Coreopsis and Alfalfa

Western/Low Rainfall Mix
Little Bluestem 1.2pls@ per acre
Sideoats Grama .5pls# per acre
Virginia Wildrye .5pls# per acre
Tall Dropseed .5pls# per acre
Big Bluestem .25pls# per acre
Indiangrass .25pls# per acre
Blue Grama .5pls# per acre
Forb Mix .5pls# per acre

Forb Mix includes: Illinois Bundleflower, Showy Partridge Pea, Plains Coreopsis and Alfalfa;

NOTES: The abbreviation, "pls" indicates Pure Live Seed.

Q. How is this native grass mix beneficial to quail?
A. Numerous scientific studies and observations by wildlife managers have shown that the preferred nesting cover for bobwhites are low-growing native bunch grasses like Little Bluestem, Broom Sedge and Sideoats Grama. When planted at the recommended seeding rates, an established stand provides ideal nesting cover for quail and other ground-nesting birds.

Q. Why are there forbs (wildflowers and alfalfa) in the mix?
A. Blooming plants, or forbs, are beneficial in a number of ways. They help attract insects, the exclusive diet of quail chicks and provide a canopy plant structure to protect the birds from view by avian predators. They also provide seeds as an additional food source and the legumes fix nitrogen, which helps keep the grass stand healthy.

Q. I have a forested site. Will these grasses grow in a shaded site?
A. Native grasses and forbs are adapted to grow in full sun. They will not grow well in shade. Native grasses may be planted in woodlands where at least 50% of the ground is in full sun at midday.

Q. When do I plant this mix?
A. Native warm season grasses need soil temperatures over 50 degrees to germinate so planting should take place in mid-spring when temperatures and soil moisture are optimal for germination. In the Midwest, this is usually in April. In areas of low summer rainfall, plant as early as possible to give the new plants the benefit of spring rains for a good start prior to summer drought. Dormant season seeding is possible after the soil temperature has dropped below 50 degrees. Generally, between Thanksgiving and early February, it is safe to dormant seed native warm season grasses.

Q. What kind of soil preparation is required?
A. The ideal soil conditions would be to have a clean-tilled (no weeds or grasses) milo or other sorghum field the year prior to planting, which has been idle over the winter. Plant seed directly into the firm, clean seedbed the following spring without tilling. Native grasses should be planted at a shallow depth of 1/4 inch or less. If tillage is required to control competition or to achieve an xposed mineral soil condition, till the site during the fall prior to planting to allow it to winter mellow. If spring tillage is required, disk the site several times, then cultipack or drag and allow to settle with one or two rains prior to planting.

PLANTING TIPS
Establishment:


  • No-Till Method: For the best conservation practice, no-till the seed into the stubble of a previous crop or the existing stand of another species that has been successfully eradicated. Pay close attention to previous land use practices. If a row crop has been planted for many years in succession, a residual herbicide carryover is possible. For chaffy seed, use a native grass seed drill.

  • Conventional Method: If you feel you must plow up the site before planting, prepare your seedbed like you would for any other crop. The seedbeds need to be firm, not fluffy, so the seed will not be planted to deeply. Use a cultipacker to firm your seedbed or some other type of roller that will create a smooth planting area that is not too hard.

  • Plant the seed no more than ½ inch deep with a native grass drill. Emerging seedlings lack the strength to push through too much overlying soil. The majority of planting failures results from poor planting practices, such as planting too deep.

  • If weeds are a problem or a potential problem, consider using an herbicide recommended for warm season grasses.
    • WE MAKE NO RECOMMENDATIONS. FOLLOW DRIECTIONS CAREFULLY. DO NOT TANK MIX A PESTICIDE WITH HERBICIDE. REMEMBER MORE IS NOT NECESSSARILY BETTER.
  • Broadcasting Method: You may broadcast the seed onto a prepared seedbed and then roll the planted area lightly. You will probably need to mix the seed with a carrier to help insure an even application. Some people use a 0-13-13 fertilizer as a carrier.

Management:


  • Fertilizer is not recommended during the first year. Moderate levels of phosphorus and potassium may be beneficial for root establishment, but nitrogen should not be used. Use a soil test to help you decide proper application rate. During the second year, fertilizer will enhance vigor and production of forage.

  • A controlled burn is recommended every one to three years, if possible. If you cannot burn, establish a mowing pattern to control woody species invasion and prevent thatch build up. Mowing should be at a height no lower than eight inches and no later than August 1.

  • Rotational grazing or flash grazing is another good management tool. Prevent livestock from overgrazing warm season grass to a level that will not rebound. Graze no lower than six inches and target a regrowth of 12 inches.

  • Do not harvest seed during the first year of establishment. The grass should be at least 20 inches tall for use in the second year. Grazing or cutting should be to no less than eight inches.

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