monsanto demonstration

Two cooperative ventures have been undertaken at the Monsanto Demonstration Farm in Stuttgart, Arkansas.

An evaluation of the impact of long term flooding regimes on natural hardwood stands
Investigators: Andrew W. Ezell, Forestry; Rick Kaminski, Wildlife & Fisheries; Richard Maiers, Forestry; Andrew Londo, MSU Extension Service

Project Goal:
To collect and synthesize information that will assist land management personnel in properly managing greentree reservoirs.
Project Objectives:
1. To characterize the speciation of a bottomland hardwood stand following 40(+) years of annual flooding.
2. To evaluate the use of unusually large oak seedlings as regeneration stock in flooded areas.
3. To develop guidelines for the administration of the flooding regime to be used in a bottomland hardwood stand being used annually for waterfowl habitat. Variables will include flooding periodicity, water depth, compartment inundation
rotation and desirable species regeneration.

Winter abundance of waste rice and natural seeds and avian use in post-harvest manipulated rice fields in Arkansas
Investigators: R.M. Kaminski, Wildlife and Fisheries

Project Goals:
1. To quantify potential food abundance for waterfowl in harvested rice fields during
winter in relation to post-harvest field manipulations (i.e., disking, rolling, mowing, burning, or no treatment of rice stubble [control]).
2. To quantify waterfowl and other avian use of harvested rice fields in relation to above field treatments and estimated food abundances.
3. This study will help determine “best management” practices of harvested rice fields in relation to winter food abundance for waterfowl and corresponding use of these habitats by waterfowl and other birds. Rice producers will be able to use results and recommendations from this research to manage harvested rice fields for increased availability of food for wintering waterfowl and other birds.
Project Objectives:
1. Estimate abundance of waste rice for use by waterfowl and other birds in Arkansas
rice fields during winter in relation to post-harvest field manipulations identified above in Project Goals statement.
2. Estimate abundance of natural seeds for use by waterfowl and other birds in Arkansas rice fields during winter in relation to post-harvest field manipulations identified above.
3. Estimate waterfowl and other avian use (abundance) and species diversity in Arkansas rice fields during winter in relation to post-harvest field manipulations identified above.
4. Estimate diurnal activities of waterfowl and other birds in Arkansas rice fields during winter in relation to post-harvest field manipulations identified above to discern functional use of managed rice fields by waterfowl and other birds.