<p> CRP Field Borders and Bobwhite Quail</p><p>Since the 1980s, bobwhite quail have declined more than 50% (up to 80% based on some estimates) nationwide. In Illinois, quail harvests exceeded 900,000 wild quail in the 1990’s, and this past years’ harvest (2013-2014 season) was 51,628 wild quail (greater than 90% reduction). Ring-necked pheasants have also experienced a similar decline. Overall, upland game bird hunting participation in Illinois has declined, but a lack of quality habitat is the limiting factor for local quail and pheasant populations. </p><p>To help reverse grassland bird population declines, USDA offers a very landowner-friendly CRP practice. CP33 Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds (aka Field Borders) are buffers of native grasses and forbs that can be planted along field edges. Fields greater than 5 acres, outside of the 100 year floodplain are eligible. The fields must be owned for at least 1 year, and have been cropped 4 of 6 years between 2008 and 2013. Field Borders can be 30 to 120 feet wide. </p><p>Field edges along timber and hedgerows typically produce reduced crop yields. These edges experience increased moisture competition, and the lower yields result in wasted inputs and net losses. Field Borders don’t require annual inputs like fertilizer and herbicide, and, at current soil rental rates, result in substantial net gains on those acres! Large tree-less fields don’t experience the same decreased yields on the edges, but, for those fields, the Field Border practice still offers very competitive payments and provides wildlife, soil, and water quality benefits.</p><p>The landowner/producer isn’t the only one who wins. Across 14 states, monitoring results have shown quail breeding densities to be 70-75% greater, and fall covey densities to be 50-110% greater in fields with Field Borders compared to nearby unbuffered fields. Also, grassland songbirds such as dicksissels, field sparrow, and indigo buntings have shown significant increases in fields with Field Borders.</p><p>Participating landowners receive competitive annual rental payments for the enrolled acres, and cost- share to establish and manage the practice. Additionally, participating landowners also receive a one- time, up-front Signing Incentive Payment of $150/acre, and a Practice Incentive Payment (additional cost-share resulting in 90% coverage of the practice installation cost).</p><p>Field Borders entail small changes to primary land uses at little to no cost for landowners, and provide wildlife habitat to species once prevalent in our state. Interested landowners should contact Phil Borsdorf at 815-281-0990.</p>