2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Phone: 573-222-3589 |
Annually, food crops such as corn, milo, winter wheat, and soybeans are planted on approximately 500 acres or 2 percent of Refuge lands. Cooperative farming is conducted under the terms and conditions of a Cooperative Farming Agreement or Special Use Permit on approximately 400 acres. Under the Cooperative Farming Program, all or a portion (typically 25-33%) of each crop is left as food for wildlife. An additional 95 acres of food plots are maintained by Refuge staff, Mingo Swamp Friends, and volunteers. Farming is used as a low cost means to maintain open habitats and reduce the amount of undesirable herbaceous and woody vegetation within moist soil management units and grassy openings. On some sites it is used to provide supplemental food for wildlife and is especially important for resident species during severe winters. The Refuge encourages no-till farming and restricts pesticide and herbicide usage. Farming may also occur if parcels containing currently farmed land are purchased as additions to the Refuge. Over the long term, the amount of farmed Refuge lands will decrease as permanent native habitat is established in these areas.
Haying occurs on less than 1 percent of Refuge lands annually. Haying is used as a low cost means to reduce the amount of undesirable herbaceous vegetation such as fescue and other noxious weeds within grassy openings. Haying is generally restricted until after July 15 th to minimize disturbance to nesting migratory birds. Haying improves visibility for wildlife viewing and maintains open habitat which is easier and less expensive to convert to native grasses or forest as funding is available.
