Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - 9:45 AM
251-2

Quail on an Agronomy Farm?.

Timothy Reinbott1, Ray Wright1, and Robert Pierce Jr.2. (1) 210 Waters Hall, University of Missouri, University of Missouri, Bradford Research & Extension Center, Columbia, MO 65211, (2) School of Natural Resources, UMC, ABNR, Columbia, MO 65211

The Bradford Research and Extension Center near Columbia, Missouri has been a leader in traditional Agronomic research in Missouri for over 40 years. However, in order to diversify our audience we have embarked on a project to attract more quail on the center. Working with the Missouri Department of Conservation we have increased the number of quail by over 20 fold in the last five years. Our management practices have included native warm season grass management, tall fescue pasture renovation, field border management, edge feathering, and the introduction of native plants. The management areas have been utilized for various training groups including the Master Naturalist program. In 2006 we hosted the first ever "Integrating Bobwhite Quail Management in a Modern Agricultural Setting" field day. As one person noted, "The audience at this field day had the same passion for quail as grain farmers do for corn and soybeans". The reaction by the Agronomy faculty has been positive and there has been no interference with their research.