Special attractant to game birds that prefer high oil seed crops such as dove, quail, turkey and pheasant
Drought tolerant
Wildlife sunflower is a special attractant to upland game birds as fall and winter feed. Wildlife sunflower is prefered by dove, quail, turkey, pheasant and other species of upland game birds.
Wildlife sunflower is a very drought tolerant crop. It is a reliable source of fall and winter feed because of the tolerance to limited and sporadic supplies of available moisture.
Wildlife sunflower may be planted when danger of frost has passed and through early summer for late season seeds. Planting dates may vary depending on timing of needs for fall and winter feed supplies.
Wildlife sunflower should be planted with seed in firm contact with the soil and no deeper than 1.5 inches.
Disease/Insect/Nematode Ratings:
Downy Mildew:
S
Head Moth:
S
Agronomic Traits:
Early Seedling Vigor:
Good
Growth Habit:
Upright with Medium Head
Days to Midbloom:
45-60 days
Relative Maturity:
85-90 days
Uniformity:
Moderate
Plant Average Height:
26-30”
Standability:
Very Good
Planting Rates:
Bushel Weight:
56 lbs.
Seeds Per Pound:
Approx. 3,000-4,000
Rate (Lbs.)
Dryland
Irrigated
Rows:
8-12
10-20
Broadcast:
12-20
18-40
Seeds/Sq. Ft.:
4-8
6-12
Adaptation Ratings:
Photosynthetic Type:
C4 - Warm Season
Soil Temperature:
Warm (50 F)
Water Requirement:
Very Low
Seeding:
Soil temperature should be at least 50 F.
Wildlife Sunflower is usually planted between June
1 and July 10 in the northern states.
Can be no-tilled into the stubble of winter and
spring crops.
Planting depth should be 1”.
Wildlife Sunflower is an excellent companion
with Black Autry Cowpeas and other game seed.
Harvest:
Wildlife Sunflower is usually ready for game
bird feeding about 85 days after seeding.
Crop Use Information:
Life Cycle:
Annual
Ease of Establishment:
Good
Shade Tolerance:
Poor - Fair
Drought Stress:
Fair
Wet Soil:
Fair
Low pH Tolerance:
Moderate
Minimum pH:
6.0
Saline Soils (White Alkali):
Fair
Saline – Sodic Soils (Black Alkali):
Poor - Fair
Hay:
N/A
Silage:
N/A
Grazing:
Do Not Graze
Strengths
Highly palatable after maturity to game birds.
Provides feed for many types of gamebirds.
Easily established.
Adapted over a wide area.
Responds well to varied weather conditions.
May be planted early.
Weaknesses
Requires seed to be in firm contact with the soil to insure stand es-
tablishment.
Download
Wild Sunflower Seed Mix PDF (764k) 
