Built around durable native and adapted grasses paired with high-value legumes and forbs, this mix establishes a persistent, upright stand that protects nests, supports chick movement, and delivers critical food resources throughout the year. The balanced grass–forb ratio helps suppress weeds while still providing insect production essential for broods.
This mix performs best on Intermountain and Columbia Plateau sites where long-term cover, resilience, and NRCS compliance are top priorities.
Milkvetch, Canada (2.6), Rabbitbrush, rubber (0.06), Fescue, Idaho (0.9), Wildrye, Basin (1.2), Flax, Lewis (0.22), Bluegrass, Sandberg (VNS) (0.55), Wheatgrass, Bluebunch (1.5). Updated January 2026.
Primary Benefits
- Dense nesting cover for sharp-tail grouse and upland birds
- Strong brood habitat with adjacent insect forage
- Winter structure and snow catch for wildlife protection
- Durable stand longevity under CRP management
Best Fit Sites
- Eastern Oregon shrub-steppe and grassland systems
- SAFE and CP25 enrollments
- Dryland and loamy upland soils
NRCS & CRP Alignment
- CP25 — Rare and Declining Habitat (Sharp-tail Grouse)
- SAFE (State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement)
- 327 — Conservation Cover
- 645 — Upland Wildlife Habitat Management
Planting Notes
Seeding rate: ~7 PLS lbs/acre
Planting window: Late fall dormant seeding or early spring
Establishment: Drill preferred; broadcast with light incorporation
Management: Delay mowing or disturbance until after nesting season
