Perham, Minnesota
May 1, 2007
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., and outdoor television
personality Babe Winkelman have partnered to provide more forage
for Minnesota’s wildlife.
“We’re planting seeds for all types of wildlife - deer, turkey,
pheasants, ducks, geese, bear,” says Babe Winkelman, host of
“Good Fishing” and “Outdoor Secrets.” “It’s far beyond a small
plot that offers food to a few animals in the wilderness.”
The “plot” on Winkelman’s 262-acre ranch in Perham, Minnesota,
comprises approximately 60 acres of fields and 55 acres of
native prairie grasses plus the woods of his property. Winkelman
has maintained this forage refuge for five years, with 2007
being the first year Pioneer has participated in the project.
The company has provided Winkelman with Pioneer® brand soybean
and corn hybrids with the Roundup Ready® gene, grain and forage
sorghum, alfalfa and sunflowers. The progress of this plot also
will be featured on upcoming episodes of “Outdoor Secrets.”
“There aren’t a lot of crops grown especially for wildlife,”
explains Winkelman. “A lot of us who want to be immersed in
wildlife choose to plant these plots ourselves.”
“We’re happy to help Babe provide food to more species by
expanding the number of crops grown in his plot,” says Marty
Lovrien, Pioneer account manager for central Minnesota. “He
recognizes the importance of a high-quality forage refuge, and
we want to assist by providing seed with the highest yield
potential.”
In addition to high-quality seeds, Winkelman also understands
other steps needed to assure a quality refuge spot for wildlife
in his area.
“Depending on the type of crops you plan to grow, you should
test the soil and fertilize appropriately,” says Winkelman. “You
should approach a plot like this in an organized way and respect
your surroundings. People look at the woods as a place where
animals and wildlife live, and a plot like the one we’ll grow as
the food source; when in fact, the whole woods itself is a food
plot. An area like this, integrated into the woods, helps us
maintain and manage natural wildlife.”
“The same things that go into a farmer’s crops go into a forage
area like Babe’s,” says Lovrien. “By using premium seed that
will germinate under less-than-ideal conditions, including cold
stress, he’ll see yields that both he and the wildlife on his
ranch land will appreciate.”
For more information on the necessary steps to establish a
forage refuge plot, contact your local Extension service office;
and for more information on seed to plant in a forage refuge
plot, contact your local Pioneer sales professional.
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont,
is the world’s leading source of customized solutions for
farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors.
With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access
to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a
science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802,
DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions
essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people
everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a
wide range of innovative products and services for markets
including agriculture and food; building and construction;
communications; and transportation.
® Registered trademark of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
® Roundup Ready is a registered trademark used under license
from Monsanto Company. |
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