Outdoorsmen, landowners, sportsmen and conservationists from throughout Northwest Missouri came to the Missouri Department of Conservation Headquarters on April 22 to help improve their property for wildlife.

By 7 that evening, MDC officials had given out 3,800 pounds of forage sorghum seed to more than 100 area residents or cooperators. The seed will be used to plant hundreds of acres of Northwest Missouri with food plots which will improve habitat and provide a food source for Missouri’s wildlife.

Forage sorghum is related to milo, yet grows taller, said Jeff Powelson, private lands biologist for MDC. It provides a good food plot for not only deer and turkey, but also upland birds, doves, rabbits and waterfowl. Forage sorghum food plots will provide not only a quality food source, but also act as a good cover for wildlife.

Forage sorghum is an early maturing plant, reaching mid-bloom about 40-50 days after planting. Mature plants normally grow to about 26 to 30 inches in height. After maturing, these plants become more palatable throughout the fall.

The forage sorghum seed is very tolerable and can grow well in dry or wet soils. The seed also can be planted until the end of May with satisfactory results, Powelson said.

“For an optimum food plot, I would highly recommend checking the soil fertility. Not everybody does it because there’s a cost factor there.” Powelson said. “For most first-time plots, the seed should do well, but those planting food plots in the same location year after year should definitely have their soil tested to determine what is needed.

“There’s a lot of new people out there interested in planting food plots and improving habitat on their property. Many are looking for information on how to do it, and we’re doing the best we can to ensure they get it.” Powelson said.

Powelson said planting a food plot often entails a lot of trial and error, but after several seasons many learn the ins and outs of proper management. He also reminded those planting food plots to not worry too much about weeds coming up in their plots. Many of these weeds are as beneficial to wildlife as the very seed planted.

For those who have planted food plots in the past, Powelson recommends using a rotation program in which areas are left idle every other year to give the soil a rest.

For those interested in more information about improving habitat and providing food plots for wildlife, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation at (816) 271-3100. Powelson also recommended contacting your local county extension office for further information.

MDC officials had some seed still available for those interested in putting in a food plot this spring. The remaining seed will be given out through a voucher program. To obtain a voucher, call the MDC office or stop by.

Outdoors correspondent Jeff Leonard can be reached at outdoors@npgco.com