REGIONAL WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT FIELD DAYS IMPROVES WILDLIFE HABITAT AND INCREASES RANCH INCOME

Proposed by: Martha Thomas

Presenter: Walter, J., Extension Agent II, Livestock/Natural Resources, Florida Cooperative Extension, Cocoa, FL 32926

REGIONAL WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT FIELD DAYS IMPOVES WILDLIFE HABITAT AND INCREASES RANCH INCOME

Bateman, C.R .1, Gamble, S.F.2 , Jennings, E.W.3 , Mudge, D.M.4 , Newman, Y.C.5 , Shuffitt, J.M.6 , Thomas,* M.E.7 , Walter, J.H.8 , Warren, M.W.9

1. Extension Agent, Florida Cooperative Extension, Osceola County, Kissimmee, Florida 34744
2. Extension Agent, Florida Cooperative Extension, Volusia County, Deland, Florida 32724
3. Extension Agent, Florida Cooperative Extension, Pasco County, Dade City, Florida 33525
4. Extension Agent, Florida Cooperative Extension, Orange County, Orlando, Florida 32812
5. State Extension Specialist, Florida Cooperative Extension, Gainesville, Florida 32609
6. Extension Agent, Florida Cooperative Extension, Marion County, Ocala, Florida 34470
7. Extension Agent, Florida Cooperative Extension, Lake County, Tavares, Florida 32778
8. Extension Agent, Florida Cooperative Extension, Brevard County, Cocoa, Florida 32926
9. Extension Agent, Florida Cooperative Extension, Flagler County, Bunnell, Florida 32110

The Central Florida Livestock Agents Group (CFLAG) coordinated two Regional Wildlife Enhancement Field Days on beef cattle ranches in Central Florida in 2008 and 2009. The field days included establishment of various food plot mixtures grown for demonstration on approximately ten acre sites. Side by side plot mixtures from national seed companies along with local mixes and pure stands of forage crops were available for comparison. During the field days, University of Florida Extension Faculty presented guidelines for successful food plot establishment and conducted a field tour of the demonstration sites. Attendees were able to learn basic soil and plant science concepts needed for successful wildlife food plot establishment. Post program surveys indicated over 80% of the attendees learned concepts they plan to use on their own properties to more effectively develop supplemental food plots to enhance local wildlife populations. These practice adoptions allowed over 120 landowners to earn extra income form wildlife hunting and viewing while also benefiting the local environmental conditions.

All Accepted Proposals