March 3, 2015 • Page 2 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Researchers Identify Cover Crops To Lure Deer Away From Livestock Feed When Steve and Dud got up to go get a paper, it left just Doc and Bert sitting at the philosophy counter of the Mule Barn truck stop. Bert turned his head and smirked a little, being careful not to let Doc see him. Doc also didn’t see Dud outside, punching in a number on his cell phone while Steve stood by as a cheerleader. “Doc,” said Loretta, filling the coffee cups, “phone call for you, Hon.” “Here? Okay…” Doc walked over to the cash register and picked up the phone. “This here Doc?” said the caller. “The Doc what lost his squirrel?” “Uh …” Doc looked around for help. There was none. “Yes. Yes it is.” “Found your dang squirrel here, Doc. That reward thing still good?” “Well … yes.” “Five dollars and a quarter, right? Now is that cash or check? I don’t take no checks.” Doc is looking all around and looks wilderness-type lost. “Cash I guess.” “Only thing is, Doc. Need to be sure this is your squirrel, right? So can you describe him for me?” “He’s … gray.” “All gray squirrels are gray, now, ain’t that right? How about any distinguishing marks? Tattoos?” “No tattoos.” “So far so good. Now you said in the ad his name is Chipper. Well, I called him Chipper and the son of a gun bit me.” “He did?” “What I mean to ask here, Doc, is … did you and your squirrel get along? No squir- BROOKINGS — Fall cover crops, such as clover, turnips and peas, can provide nutrientrich winter forage and help lure hungry deer rel problems? He looks like he away from hay and other needs a square meal to me. stored livestock feed, You feed him good?” according to Distinguished “What?” “You know … like Squirrel Professor Jonathan Jenks Chow free choice, or did you of the South Dakota State put him on a nut ration? I University Department mean, he ate like there was of Natural Resource no tomorrow. Dang near ate Management. up the whole five dollars and The Agricultural a quarter reward money in Experiment Station squirrel food.” researcher and graduate Steve and Dud walked back into the café, then, with student Troy Wieberg are the cell phone still at Dud’s identifying which cover ear, and the laughing began. crops are more likely to “You were right all along, attract deer through a Doc,” said Bert. “In winter, three-year grant for nearly everyone can use a good $90,000 from the Federal hoax.” Aid to Wildlife Restoration, Doc bought the coffee. administered by South -----Brought to you by Slim Ran- Dakota Department of dles’ new book Strange Tales Game, Fish and Parks. of Alaska, now available as a The project, which is in Kindle book on Amazon.com. its final year, focuses on eastern South Dakota. Full-Time Mechanic Needed Must be able to work on trucks, drill rigs, heavy equipment and perform general maintenance. Apply in person. 307 S. Robinson Ave., Hartington, NE 68739 (402) 254-2568 Informational Meeting Tuesday, March 10, 9am Bloomfield Community Center Wednesday, March 11, 9am Hartington (Tooties) Thursday, March 12, 9am Crofton Legion 402.337.0063 Cover crops, planted in August or September, must have sufficient fall moisture, which made eastern South Dakota an ideal location for the experiment, according to Kevin Robling, big game biologist for the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. In addition, “this area has the potential to experience lots of issues with depredation during severe winters.” Though some landowners have experimented with cover crops, such as turnips, on their own, this is the first controlled experiment, according to Jenks. “We’re looking at preference and nutritional characteristics,” he pointed out. Selecting cover crops For the research project, Jenks and Wieberg planted six cover crops — purple top turnips, Daikon radishes, Austrian winter peas, winter rye, chicory and crimson clover — at the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Research Facility. The deer are then allowed to forage on the crops. Preliminary results showed that turnips and radishes are the top two choices followed by peas, according to Jenks. “These provide high crude protein and moderate to high Jamesville Township Annual Meeting Tuesday, March 3, 2015 7:30 p.m. Kevin Kirschenmann Residence SERVICE ENGINE SOON Light on? We can help! FREE Scan on OBD11/‘96 or Newer Vehicles Our service staff will retrieve Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) from your vehicle at no charge to help you determine needed services, repair or further diagnoses with a trained technician. Please see our services staff for more information. www.tyndallford.com Open Monday - Friday 8-5:30 Saturday 8-1:00 Located 1 Mile West of Tyndall, SD on Highway 50 605-589-3362 Toll Free at 1-888-877-5035 Schuurmans Farm Supply digestibility.” Preventing depredation, reducing density “The leading covariant that will dictate the amount of deer depredation on an annual basis is the severity of the winter,” according Robling. “We’re coming off years of peak harvest and peak population,” Robling said, noting high deer numbers from 2007 through 2011. However, a combination of factors including liberal antlerless harvest, disease and severe winters has reduced the population below management objectives, he explained. “We’re trying to grow our herds in most management areas with very few units across the state at or above management objectives,” Robling said. The majority of the issues occur when large herds, upward of 100 to 200 individuals, go into yards and eat stored livestock feed, especially hay and distiller grains, according to Robling. However, “whether it’s 10 or 100, we still can experience depredation.” Cover crops are an indirect way of possibly preventing depredation and redistributing deer densities, he explained. Once researchers identify the most palatable forage types, the Department of Game, Fish and Parks may plant crops to attract deer to state-owned lands that are open to public hunting and potentially lure deer away from areas where they may cause problems. He estimated that no-till drills could handle crops, such as sorghum and rye, and radishes can be sown using a broadcast spreader on the back of a four-wheeler and then worked in with a drag. “We’re not talking about large tracts,” Robling said, with most cover plots in the range of three to five acres. “Deer are going to go for the candy bar and we’re trying to provide that.” Buy • Sell • Trade Brian & Jean DeGroot, Owners 802 Broadway, Yankton, SD Quality... USED Cars, Trucks, Campers, Boats & Consignments 665-1596 www.bridgecityautoyankton.com 225 ACRES OF YANKTON COUNTY REAL ESTATE FOR SALE BY SEALED BIDS AND PRIVATE AUCTION The following described farmland located in Yankton County, South Dakota will be offered for sale by sealed bid with a private auction to follow for successful, qualified bidders: The S 1/2 NE 1/4 and SE 1/4, Except Madsen Tract A, Section 12, Township 96, Range 54 2006 Hustler Super Z 31 H.P. Kawasaki 72” Deck Front Suspention 1,100 hrs. $5,995 New Holland M22 4-Wheel Drive - 22 H.P. Diesel 60” Rear Discharge Deck 698 hrs. LIKE NEW - $6,950 2005 Hustler Super Z 25 H.P. Kawasaki 72” Deck Front Suspension 582 hrs. $5,800 5 miles West of Tyndall on Hwy. 50 Corner of Hwys. 50 and 37 www.schuurmansfarmsupply.com Ph. (605) 589-3909 or Cell (605)464-1113 The farmland is located 4 miles West of 4-Way Stop in Viborg and 1 1/2 South. This parcel consists of approximately 195 acres of tillable farmland according to FSA records and 27 acres of pasture. Sealed bids will be accepted at the office of Gary Ward, 109 North Main Street, Viborg, SD 57070 until 5:00 p.m. on March 8, 2015. The three highest bidders and any bidders within ten percent (10%) of the highest sealed bid will be notified and invited to attend a private auction to be conducted at the office of Gary Ward in Viborg, SD on March 15, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. The Seller reserves the right to reject any and all bids. 10% down is due upon acceptance of the bid. The balance of the purchase price will be due at closing. Closing will be on or before April 15, 2015. The cost of title insurance will be shared equally between Buyer and Seller. Intereseted parties should contact Daryl Madsen, phone number (605) 660-1039, or madsenfarms@ gmail.com for bidding instructions, offer sheets, FSA and soil survey maps.