Oak Haven [Forages, LLC] teamed up with the MDWFP last year and the results were a "wildlife haven" indeed! Based in [Senatobia], MS, Oak Haven specializes in producing top-quality forage seed for wildlife. They own and grow all of their seeds and test hundreds of varieties each year in trial plots across Mississippi. "We primarily specialize in cereal grains such as wheat and cereal rye because these forages are the real work-horses in a food plot program. Our seeds are tested and selected for palatability and fast growth," says Steve Payne, Oak Haven's owner and biologist.

During October 2004, Oak Haven donated 100 bags of their Hunt Club seed blend to the MDWFP for planting on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) across the state. The mixture included forage oats, monarch triticale (a cross between forage rye and wheat), and boss cereal rye.

O'keefe WMA received 10 bags of the Hunt Club seed blend. Area Manager Robbie Kiihnl planted it on 10 acres with a grain drill and said that the seed blend "grew really well. We had great germination, lots of forage produced, and the deer really seemed to use those food plots." The MDWFP is grateful for Oak Haven's seed donation, which improved the forage quality on the WMAs where it was planted. For more information on Oak Haven Wildlife Products, visit their website at [www.oakhavenforages.com].