Field borders for agronomic, economic and wildlife benefits

"Original authors: Robert A. Pierce II, Bill White, D. Todd Jones-Farrand, Thomas V. Dailey and Brent Carpenter""During the past few decades, dramatic changes have occurred across Missouri's agricultural landscape. Those changes include generally larger farms, increased field sizes, promotion of monocultures and improvements in farm equipment. Although many of these changes have provided economic benefits, there have been trade-offs. For instance, traditional edge and fence row habitats and other types of early-successional vegetation (such as shrubs, grasses, annual weeds and forbs) that were once a common sight around many fields (Figure 1) have been eliminated or the quality significantly reduced on many farms (Figure 2). This type of vegetation provides food and cover for many species of wildlife and is an important habitat component for the survival of bird species such as bobwhite quail. Many species of wildlife have adapted to "edge" habitats, which are created at the interface of two or more plant communities, such as the transitional zone between a woodland and crop field or pasture."--First page.Revised by: Robert A. Pierce (Associate Professor, Fisheries and Wildlife Extension), Ryan Milhollin (State Specialist, Agricultural Business and Policy Extension)New 11/08; Revised 10/2