The Covey Headquarters Newsletter
EQIP proves to be positive for quail numbers

- Jeff Powelson, Private Land Conservationist, St. Joseph, MO

I have been called several things in my life but this was the first time for being called "CRAZY". Back in the fall of 2003, an Andrew county farmer signed up an Ag production farm into the EQIP program. At that time, the landowner looked at me and called me "CRAZY" for recommending edge feathering for quail management. In order for the landowner to receive wildlife benefit points on his EQIP score sheet, he would need to complete an edge feathering practice along side his existing crop field borders of warm season grasses. After explaining what edge feathering entailed, he stated "I have to do what?" He wanted to score as much as he could, so he finally agreed to complete 9/10 of an acre of edge feathering around his crop field borders. He agreed to conduct 9 separate 1/10 acre plots. A year and a half has passed since his EQIP contract was initiated. After completing the third edge feathering spot in the winter of 2004, he noticed a covey of quail and several pheasants using them within days. The landowner was so excited about the results: he ended up completing almost 2 acres worth of the edge feathering plots throughout his entire farm. This past February, we went out to status check his plots to verify completion of the practices. While looking at the third edge feathering plot, we watched a covey of 16 quail sit under the snow and ice covered edge feathered downed trees, until they flushed and flew only 40 yards before sitting down in the next edge feathering plot. The landowner looked over at me and said, "See, I told it works, and no you are not crazy". The landowner stated he has seen an increase in the number of birds on this particular farm, both in number of birds per covey and number of coveys. Not only did he complete the edge feathering projects, but he has changed his prescribed burning techniques on his buffer strips. He now, only burns a third of the strips each year, instead of burning all the strips throughout the entire farm. This type of disturbance is critical to your quail management goals. To find out more on how to use farm bill practices to your advantage contact your local USDA office or Local Private Land Conservationist.