Missouri - Elsberry Plant Materials Center Highlights

Promote the use of reduced tillage and increased plant coverage on the soil

Comparing cover crop seeding rates to the cover crop standard
Plants developed for conservation cover to promote plant diversity, such as pollinator habitat
Evaluating selected cover crops in new tree plantings
Evaluating selected cover crop varieties to determine which work best for the service area

Develop Forages for Pasture, Hay and Biofuels to Provide Permanent Cover

Released Ozark Germplasm little bluestem for the southern service area (southern MO and IL) and finalizing the release of a northern selection of little bluestem for the northern service area (IA and northern MO, IL)
'Cave-in-Rock' switchgrass, 'Rountree' and 'OZ-70' big bluestem, and 'Rumsey' Indiangrass improve summer forage for livestock and provide wildlife habitat, while controlling erosion.
Evaluate perennial warm-season grasses for vegetative barriers and herbaceous wind barriers.

Control runoff and increase wildlife habitat

Evaluating cover crops in a corn and soybean rotation and how it affects water quality and soil health
Native shrub species, 'Midwest Premium' American plum and 'Sun Harvest' American hazelnut provide field borders, wind breaks, and wildlife food and cover.
False indigo bush is a wetland species used for wildlife habitat, streambank stabilization, and upland covey headquarter plantings for quail.
Multiple use native species developed for native mixtures. 'Cuivre River' Virginia wild rye used for filter strips and wetland berms, and little bluestem and Grayhead coneflower used for upland buffers.