About Us
County Impact Statements - Cleveland County
Wildlife Habitat Preservation and Improvement Becoming Big Business
in Cleveland County
Interest in attracting and holding wildlife on private properties and leased
lands is big business in Arkansas. Extension has always been available to take
soil samples and give fertilizer recommendations for areas to be planted. Now,
Extension is taking it one step further by giving wildlife planting
recommendations and conducting research to evaluate best planting methods and
plant selections for different areas and animal species.
Two landowners in the county agreed to allow Extension to plant wildlife food
plot demonstrations to evaluate the effectiveness of different forage types.
Participants learned about the importance of applying the proper amount of
fertilizer and lime, and about proper soil preparation and seed planting depth.
Participants also got to evaluate the effectiveness of herbicide applications
for controlling unwanted weed species. The establishment of different plants
also allowed the participants to see which ones were preferred by different
wildlife species.
I cannot believe what a difference putting out lime made to these wildlife
food plots. I didn’t know that I had turkeys on my land until we planted a
food plot that turkeys really like.
- Scott Crabb, wildlife food plot demonstration participant
Wild turkey hens feed in a wildlife food plot demonstration site
in Cleveland County.
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Impacts
- Two county residents learned the importance of proper soil preparation
and plant selection for attracting wildlife by participating in wildlife
food plot demonstrations.
- Participants at the Smackover Flower Show learned about proper planting
techniques and decisions for wildlife food plots.
- Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts received information on planting
wildlife food plots and wildlife plant selection during the Bradley County
Co-op Hunters’ Night Out event.
- 4-Hers and other youth attending three 4-H workshops this summer learned
how to identify wildlife and how to survive by eating insects.
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