Modified items

All recently modified items, latest first.

Economic and Production Performance of Native Grasses as Forage in the Fescue Belt: The primary purpose of developing this literature review and summary was to inform producers about the potential benefits from utilizing warm-season grasses in the Fescue Belt. Effectively, managing forages is not always straightforward for livestock producers. Summarizing the economic and production benefits from using warm-season grasses could help producers make more informed forage management decision and might encourage producers to consider adopting warm-season grasses. Furthermore, this literature review also gathered information about the potential benefits of using native grasslands as forage to the quail population in this region, which could likely result in an economic benefit to the producer from leasing farmland to hunters.

Assessment of Native Grasses for Forage & Bobwhite Habitat: The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, through its Center for Native Grasslands Management will conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a working lands conservation model for enhancing northern bobwhite and other grasslands wildlife populations. Specifically, we will evaluate native grass forage production within fescue-belt landscapes to determine how effective this strategy is for improved survival and productivity of northern bobwhite and abundance of associated grassland bird species. The study will be conducted in cooperation with partner agencies within the fescue belt.

Outcomes from Delivery of NRCS's WLFW-Bobwhite in Managed Pine Savannahs: In 2016, the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Working Lands for Wildlife partnership began funding management activities designed to enhance, restore, and protect bobwhites habitat on private lands. Through the WLFW program, NRCS is able to assist landowners to voluntarily create and maintain bobwhite habitat in order to support the range-wide recovery of the species. In 2018, NRCS entered into an agreement with the University of Georgia to assess habitat outcomes and bobwhite population response to our conservation actions. n collaboration with the University of Georgia, NRCS is now looking to monitor some of these managed lands to help tease out habitat features that promote excellent bobwhite habitat. If possible, additional information (e.g., other forestry management actions employed) may also be collected through interviews with landowners and/or conservation partners.

General/Terrestrial Ranking Guidance (GA example): Whether a NRCS state has ranking fund pools or guidance that is bobwhite specific varies, many simply have a terrestrial ranking/funding pool. This is an example of ranking guidance for a general terrestrial sign-up in Georgia.

338-Prescribed Burning: 338-Prescribed Burning. This job sheet has been modified for Bobwhite Quail management in the Southeastern United States. Caution: Prescribed burning should be conducted only by those who are trained and experienced in its use. The landowner is responsible for obtaining all permits and clearances as required by law.

645 Covey Headquarters Planning Job Sheet (MO example): 645 Quail Covey Headquarters Planning example from Missouri NRCS

647 Early Successional Habitat Management: 674 Early Successional Habitat Management Job Sheet. This job sheet was modified for Bobwhite management in the Southeastern United States.

314-Brush Management: Quail (GA and SE example): 314- Brush Management Practice. This job sheet has been specifically modified for Northern Bobwhite in the Southeastern United States.

666-Forest Stand Improvement for Bobwhite Quail: 666- Forest Stand Improvement. This job sheet has been modified specifically for the management of Bobwhite Quail and other early successional species in the Southeastern United States. • Follow state Best Management Practices (BMPs) for forestry and all applicable laws and regulations. Creating and maintaining open canopy pine savanna with the implementation of proper thinnings in combination with frequent prescribed fire and/or brush management (see job sheets for Prescribed Burning for Bobwhite Quail-338 and/or Brush Management for Bobwhite Quail-314) will provide the required conditions needed for a host of species dependent or favored by early successional habitat such as quail, deer, turkey, songbirds, small mammals, native grasses and wild flowers, pollinator insects and plants.

Northern Bobwhite in Working Grasslands: The northern bobwhite is often referred to and "edge" species, seeking habitat where crop fields intersect with woodlands, pastures, and old fields. The desired outcomes of project practices is 1) improved cattle production for grazing operations, 2) restore native grasses to the agricultural landscape, and 3) improve soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on farms.

Map of Fescue Belt: Map of fescue belt within the U.S. superimposed over map of states participating in WLFW NOBO, Grasslands, and Savannas

BBS Hotspots for Northern bobwhite: Hot spot map based on breeding bird survey data for northern bobwhite, as of 2011.