The Alabama Waterfowl Association's Conservation Seed Program is in Full
Swing for 2004

With mechanical harvester being more effective and leaving less and less
residual grain for wildlife here in Alabama and the Tennessee River Valley
it is ever more important to plant food for both our local and migratory
wildlife for the following reasons.

The Tennessee River Valley Watershed, according to the February 1999, issue
of the National Geographic Magazine cited the Cumberland and Tennessee
Valley as the world's most diverse temperate freshwater ecosystems and vital
that this area has plenty of food for the neo-tropical migrants and other
migrating waterfowl that are dependant on this habitat. The neo-tropical
migrating songbirds have declined over 40 percent or more. Habitat loss,
especially areas of rapid urban development such as the TRV, are thought to
be the blame. This loss of habitat and grain production increases the
problem of providing beneficial food source, habitat and wetlands. (It is
very important to have a good food and water resource in the fall to furnish
the over-flying migrating birds habitat to replenish their energy for their
journey on south.) This is also true on their migration back north in the
spring. If the migrating birds do not return to their breeding habitat in
good condition, they do not reproduce as well. 

Alabama Waterfowl Association (AWA) is working with Resource Management,
Inc., Pioneer Hi-Bred International Seed Company and Dean's Farm Supply near
Hollywood to offer seeds for the planting of wildlife food plots at a
fraction of the cost of other suppliers. This is the surplus treated seeds
left over from seed suppliers and have proven to provide a good stand while
not introducing noxious weeds to the area. The seed company benefits because
the treatmen on seeds are considered hazardous waste and is expensive to
dispose of and adds to the nations landfills. 

Since 1995 AWA by subsidizing private landowners, farmers and wildlife
managers has distributed enough of these surplus corn, wheat, and grain
sorghum seeds to plant over 850,000 acres in Alabama.


As many know seed wheat this fall is at a premium. Many wildlife managers
plant feed wheat which is controversial and does not provide the germination
and can introduce many noxious weeds into the planting area. 

Soon you can get seed wheat for $5 a 50-pound bag. A limited supply is
available so call Dean's Farm Supply at 256 574-1112 before you come.



For more information check our web http://www.alabamawaterfowl.org