Your PF Board met on March 4th, to address the issue of seed distribution and budget constraints. We established a 2010 budget and developed new Seed Distribution Guidelines for this year. We feel that the quality of each plot is important and are striving to become more efficient and effective in our planting practices. Our soil testing program is successful and has been expanded this year. We had 127 “Priority Pre-Order Seed” members last year. This year we have 187, a 33% increase.

Our chapter is the only one in the state that provides “free” seed, fertilizer and herbicide to “active” members. It is our goal, through our soil testing program, to have every member’s soil Ph. levels at 6.5, and have the soil P and K levels in the optimum range. Members with these results would need no fertilizer to plant “Cool Season Nesting” (clovers/alfalfa/grass), and only Nitrogen to plant “food plots”. Livingston County provides a challenge for pheasants because it is nearly 30% forested. Our habitat planting program needs to provide adequate food, nesting and shelter, especially from avian (hawk) predation.

Seed distribution this year will be on Saturday, April 24th and Saturday May 8th. (10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.). (Location: American Legion parking lot on the corner of M-59 and Grand River)

Our 2010 Guidelines are:

1. EVERY MEMBER MUST HAVE CURRENT SOIL SAMPLES on record regardless of plot size. Each plot needs to be sampled. Samples will be current for three (3) years. (M.S.U. lab only.)
2. Members may utilize (2006 -2009) soil samples providing they were taken in places you wish to plant.
3. Members with tests exhibiting Soil Ph.levels of 6.5+ and levels of P & K in the optimum range, will be exempt from the three year test requirement.
4. PRIORITY PRE-ORDER MEMBERS can receive up to five (5) acres of FREE SEED & HERBICIDE. IF THEIR SOIL SAMPLES HAVE Ph. LEVELS OF 6.2 OR ABOVE, THEY ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR SOME FERTILIZER (AMOUNTS DETERMINED AFTER CONTRACTS ARE SIGNED). Those plots limed last year need to be retested this year so that we will have an updated Ph record
5. “Roundup Ready” corn will be capped at one (1) bag (4 acres at 20,000 kernels per acre). These plots must be planted by drill or corn planter. No broadcasting!
6. We have a limited supply of “R/R Beans” which are to be mixed with R.R. Corn. (See FOOD PLOT attachment). Beans alone offer no avian predator protection and little winter food value.
7. Cool season Nesting Cover (clovers, alfalfa and grasses) and some Switchgrass will be available. These grasses require less fertilizer and should be planted in plots of more than 5 acres. PF National requires a 5 year contract for Cool-Season and a 10 year contract for Switchgrass plantings. Soils need to have a 6.5+ Ph. and optimum P and K levels.
8. At the end of the second distribution day (May 8th.) if available, we will sell Roundup Ready Corn for $20 per bag. (2 bag limit) Roundup can be purchased for $4 per quart.
9. Members can purchase additional fertilizer at Jorgensen Farm Elevator. Call Mike Turner, identify yourself as a LCPF member, per-pay (check/card) and pick it up at their facility on Dietz Rd. between Holt Rd. and Grand River in Williamston. (517-655-2121) (Tax exempt)

The seed mixes for this year include. (Michigan Mix, R/R Corn, R/R Soybeans, Forage Sorghum, Grain Sorghum, Blizzard Mix, Sunflowers, Cool Season Nesting Cover and Switchgrass.) Our Michigan Mix includes corn, grain/forage sorghums and sunflowers. (broadcast) Because each mix requires a different fertilizer regimen, it is critical that you fill out the soil sample information completely. We need to know the previous crop planted.

Soil Sampling Instructions are on the Soil Testing Procedures (2010) attachment. We will have four (4) evening (Priority Seed contract sign-ups). You will need to attend one. Bring a copy of your soil sample.

If you have any questions about the testing procedure or previous soil samples call Brian Woolcock.
For soil test kits, or equipment usage call Jason Fyke, Habitat Chairman, at 517-294-2881 Yours in Conservation,
Brian Woolcock
Education Chairman/Crop Advisor
LCPF #465
517-521-3849 home
517-388-0051 cell
231-378-2328 vacation cottage email:bvwoolcock@acd.net

Soil Testing Procedure 2010 download THIS MS Word file

PF Soil Testing download THIS MS Word file

For Sprayer calibration download THIS MS Word file

Lime To Win download THIS Adobe PDF file

Liming Acid Soil Pays download THIS Adobe PDF file

MSU Soil and Plant Nutrient Lab download THIS Adobe PDF file

Information on Establishing and Managing Switchgrass download THIS Adobe PDF file

Copy of PF "Contract" or Habitat Project Agreement download THIS Adobe PDF file

Note: There are changes happening in the seed industry

This year we will be required to record the distribution of the Dekalb Roundup Ready Corn and Sorghum (and other Monsanto brands). Please read this very important information regarding the distribution of dated food plot seed (corn and sorghum only) and please help us make sure that EVERYONE involved in seed distribution is aware and follows these unavoidable new requirements.

New Reporting Requirements on Donated Seed-- DeKalb Seed (through parent company Monsanto) provides much of the donated crop seed that PF distributes for food plots. We were recently told by Monsanto that PF chapters are now required to provide much more data about the use of that seed for wildlife. We are now required to accomplish two specific recordkeeping tasks at the time of seed distribution:

1. Cooperators (i.e. landowners) may receive genetically modified (GM) seed such as Roundup Ready Corn, ONLY if they sign a Monsanto Wildlife Technology Stewardship Agreement that records simple information about the recipient (form attached). I will provide the agreements at seed distribution.

2. PF must provide accurate distribution records for all Monsanto seed, including grain sorghum. This data must be provided to PF by chapters and partners. We must submit these records to Monsanto each year.

For Food plot Seed Record Keeping Document download THIS MS Word file

For Seed Recordkeeping Clarifications download THIS MS Word file