Forked Deer River Quail Forever Chapter

01/30/2026

01/28/2026

Since planting season is upon us, let’s talk about seed drill calibration!

When planting anything, especially native plants, it is crucial to calibrate your seed drill! Planting at a lower seeding rate than required can result in thin stands and higher competition. Comparatively, higher seeding rates could result in better establishment, however, this doesn’t always lead to higher yields and cost efficiency decreases. Some native plant seeds are fluffy or slick, which then impacts the flow of seed through the tubes of the drill. Calibration aids in this seed flow by adjusting the machine to what’s being planted.

There are many things to consider when calibrating a seed drill, including: ground speed, seed size and shape, density, weight, and purity. It’s important to calibrate your drill under field conditions when possible to ensure a higher success rate.

Ultimately, we recommend that you calibrate your drill every time you plant, whether it be the same seed variety or not, because seed lots are ever-changing.

If you are gearing up to plant and need assistance calibrating your drill, contact your local Farm Bill Biologist, or drop us a comment below! 🌼🌾

01/23/2026

❄COVER FOR YOUR COVEY❄

Bobwhites may not be buying all the milk, bread, and eggs, but they are preparing all the same for the winter weather this weekend!

In winter, a covey will forage in woody vegetation such as plum, blackberry, or sumac thickets. At night, they will form a tight circle under light cover with their heads facing outwards, allowing them to remain vigilant and warm.

Winter weather can be detrimental to quail, as cold temperatures and lack of access to food can have deadly consequences.

Cover is crucial in providing bobwhites shelter from the elements such as cold temperatures, wind, rain, and snow. Good thermal cover is typically comprised of thick woody vegetation, native shrubs, native grasses, and native forbs that allow for openness at the ground level while providing overhead protection.

In addition, bobwhites become more opportunistic in the winter time. Mostly feeding on the seeds of native forbs, however, they will also feed on leftover herbaceous material and snails, slugs, and other insects. Managing for a wide variety of species that provide a year-round food source is crucial for bobwhite survival and energetic needs to survive the winter!

If you have any questions about implementing these practices on your property, now is the time to get started! Planting native plants during the dormant season aids in successful establishment because the seeds are able to go through natural freeze and thaw cycles to germinate!

Contact your local Farm Bill Biologist or drop a comment below for more details!

01/20/2026

🌿HOW'S IT GROWING?🌿

We are kicking off the new year ready to GROW!

Whether you are planting native plants or watching them naturally regenerate, you may be wondering, what is the process they go through to become the lush wildlife habitat we know and love come summertime?

The process begins with a clean seed bed (if you're planting) or the seedbank (if naturally regenerating) in the months between December and March, ideally.

If you are planting, it is important that you have seed to soil contact and seeds are either broadcasted or drilled no greater than a quarter inch into the soil. For already established native stands, this process occurs naturally when dormant plants shed their seeds.

Once this occurs, these seeds go through natural freeze and thaw cycles. These cycles aid in germination by eliminating the protective seed coats in a process called scarification.

Come spring, you will begin to see basal rosettes, or an arrangement of leaves growing flat or close to the ground radiating from the base of the stem. At this time, most of the plant's energy is focused on establishing an extensive root system which aids in many native species' ability to prevent erosion and tolerate drought.

Finally, these plants will fully establish over the course of late spring and early summer to provide habitat for a myriad of wildlife species, including our personal favorite, the bobwhite quail!

If you are interested in enhancing or restoring wildlife habitat on your property, be sure to contact your local Farm Bill Biologist or USDA Service Center!