These four units planted over 1,100 acres of habitat in 27 counties by 98 different landowners. A mix of native warm season was planted on 947 acres, pure switchgrass was planted on 135 acres and food plots made up the remaining 52 acres. This compares to 410 acres in 15 counties by 29 landowners with the two drills that we had last year. Four, Michigan genotype native warm season grass fields were established at Rose Lake this past June and July for the purpose of producing Michigan genotype switchgrass, Indiangrass, big bluestem, and little bluestem seed. Each site is approximately acre in size.
Plans are to expand the planting on each of the sites next spring.
This propagation sites will be used to produce Michigan genotype seed for future conservation purposes. This year the Private Lands Unit was instrumental in collecting native grass seed from the Allegan State Game Area and Fort Custer Military Reservation in southern Michigan. Custer Military Reservation staff. Hand and mechanical collection occurred on selected stands of Indiangrass, switchgrass, big bluestem, and little bluestem. Over 100 pounds of seed were harvested and cleaning will be completed this winter at the NRCS Plant Materials Center.