Chufa Addiction

All You Need to Know About the Food Source that Turkeys Can't Resist

Q: Where can I buy chufa seed? How should I plant and how would I handle it to attract turkeys?
— Jim Oswalt, Marshall, Texas
A: The National Wild Turkey Federation sells chufa each year online through our Turkey Shoppe. We also offer discounts for quantities of 10 bags or more through the conservation department. Chufa normally goes on sale in January or February and continues until the supply is depleted. This year we were sold out by the end of May, so customers are encouraged to order early. A few other vendors sell chufa, but our Turkey Gold chufa is the best!

Turkeys will usually discover the chufa on their own. However, if planting in the area for the first time, you might want to lightly disk a small portion of the plot after the tubers mature for some exposure. However, be sure to check on your local hunting regulations; in some cases, this manipulation can be construed as baiting if done in and within certain days of hunting season.
— Donnie Buckland, NWTF director of upland programs

Check out a chat with Tom Hughes from last year for more on chufa by clicking here.

Q: What is the best soil type to plant chufa in?
— Murphy Drew, Magnolia, N.C.
A: The best soil type for planting chufa is a sandy or sandy loam soil. As you probably know, chufa produces underground tubers. Imagine an underground mass of tubers and roots that would most resemble the size of a volleyball. Looser soils will allow for better root expansion and will allow wild turkeys much easier access to the tubers.

However, sandy soils are not the limiting soil type for a successful chufa plot. In fact, I personally have planted more chufa plots in red clay than any other soil type and I have had great success in these clay soils. Chufa is a hardy plant and the general rule of thumb that holds true is that chufa will grow successfully anywhere corn will grow.
— Greg Boozer, NWTF wildlife biologist

Q: Does chufa need direct sunlight or will it grow in some shaded areas?
— Paul Jackson, Ashland, Ala.
A: Chufa needs almost full sunlight; it will not tolerate very much shade and still be productive. You might be able to plant a patch along a woods edge extending into a field, but like most agricultural crops, production will be affected in the shaded areas.
— Donnie Buckland, NWTF director of upland programs

Q: Is planting chufa considered baiting an area?
— Bracy Davenport, Colerain, N.C.
A: First, be sure to read your state regulations very carefully in regard to baiting. In most states it is illegal to purposefully place a food attractant for the purpose of harvesting game over it. In the specific case of chufa, you can plant it during the season, but I would not hunt over the new planting as it could be considered baiting. In most areas, the optimal time to plant chufa is after the season anyway so it shouldn't be an issue when you are trying to establish and good chufa field.
— Scott Vance, NWTF assistant vice president of conservation programs

Q: Is the chufa NWTF sells an American crop or does NWTF import the chufa they sell?
— Steven Dieck, Middleburg, Fla.
A: The NWTF has tested both foreign and domestic markets, and have seen a lot of market change and fluctuation. In more recent years, the NWTF has purchased chufa from Spain. The overseas market has proven to be much steadier both in price and quality. In better economic times, the NWTF has been successful at keeping the chufa price in the U.S. at a lower, more competitive range. Therefore we felt we were successful in our overall mission of benefiting our members. However, in the tradition of keeping all market options open, this season the NWTF has purchased chufa from several sources, including three from the U.S.

As you know, the economy has most businesses tightening their belt while continuing to look for ways to stay productive and remain poised for a market turnaround. The NWTF is no different. We are looking at our seed program this year and we have a plan to make a well informed decision as to where our source of chufa will come from next season as well as in the future. NWTF members should rest assured that the NWTF will not sacrifice quality from any of our seed sources as we are committed to bringing the best product to our members and customers.
— Greg Boozer, NWTF wildlife biologist

Q: In Washington, we need more solid evidence to prove to the government that chufa nutsedge is different than yellow nutsedge. They are different subspecies, but they get lumped into the same category out here. With the info I have above, I'd like to know the scientific name or variety of chufa. In Washington and other states Cyperus esculentus eptostachyus is an introduced yellow nutsedge and in the South Cyperus esculentus macrostachyus is a native variety. Is chufa a cultivated genotype of the native or the non-native? I want to plant chufa for wild turkeys but I hit roadblocks with agencies that consider chufa a noxious weed.
— Eric Braaten, Electric City, Wash.
A: There are a number of references in scientific literature and on the Internet to yellow nutsedge and its relationship to chufa. Both are the same species but they are very different variants. Generally, most authorities agree that the weedy, invasive type (yellow nutsedge) is Cyperus esculentus var. esculentus, and the cultivated, non-invasive variety (chufa) is Cyperus esculentus var. sativus.

Research by Dr. Andrew Dyer at the University of South Carolina (Aiken branch) has shown that the two variants are quite different in physiology and reproductive capability. Nutsedge produces a widespread network of tubers and roots and chufa produces a compact ball of tubers directly under the center of the leaves. Nutsedge flowers early in the summer, and chufa, if it flowers at all, does so in late summer or early fall. This means the likelihood of hybridization is near zero.

Dyer has suggested that the two variants are so different that they may deserve distinct species status. Nutsedge is also invasive, spreading quickly if introduced. Chufa will not spread from a planting site, and in fact, since it does not compete well with other vegetation, will quickly die out if not maintained.

Q: Is it true chufa makes a great drink?
— Steve Cole, Perryville, Ark.
A: Chufa makes a drink called "horchata," which is very popular in Spain. This recipe can be found online:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound (250 grams - 8.9 oz) chufa nuts
• 1 quart (liter) of water
• 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
• 1 tsp grated lemon peel (optional)
• About 1 cup of sugar (try less the first time - you can always add more!)

Instructions:

• Soak the chufa nuts in water for 24 hours.
• In a blender, grind the nuts, water, cinnamon, sugar and lemon until the texture is smooth and even.
• Let it settle for half an hour.
• Press the paste through a strainer to obtain fresh horchata.
• Refrigerate for at least an hour.
• Finish in the freezer for 20 minutes until slightly slushy.

This recipe makes 1 quart/liter.
— Tom Hughes, NWTF assistant vice president for education and outreach programs

Q: Do turkeys typically utilize chufa most in the fall or spring?
— Tom Blasdel, Wayne City, Ill.
A: If given the opportunity, with a sufficient number of chufa tubers available, turkeys will typically use chufa plots from mid-fall through late spring. In many cases, turkeys will use chufa plots daily, and they will sometimes rearrange their roosting locations to a point closer to the chufa plot.
— Tom Hughes, NWTF assistant vice president for education and outreach programs

Q: On my Tennessee farm, elevation varies from approximately 600 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Is chufa likely to do better at the top or the bottom of the hills?
— William Eddins, Fayetteville, Tenn.
A: Chufa may do well on hilltops and in valleys. However, factors like adequate soil moisture and good drainage, full sunlight for most of the day, lack of competing vegetation and good soil fertility are more important factors than elevation.
— Tom Hughes, NWTF assistant vice president for education and outreach programs

Q: Once chufa grows do you mow small fence rows in it or leave it all stand? Can you replant the seeds for another food plot?
— John Szeliga, Cary, Ill.
A: Chufa is an amazing planting for wild turkeys not only for its ability to attract wild turkeys, but also because it is such an easy planting to grow and maintain.

Once you establish a chufa plot and minimize competition, there is little additional care needed. Mowing is not necessary for chufa at all. In fact, once wild turkeys find the underground tubers after plant maturity there will not be a lot of plant matter left on top of the ground. Depending on the time of year, most of the plant matter on top of the ground will already be dead; what is left will be trampled or turned over by feeding turkeys.

Expecting a volunteer crop of chufa for a second year is possible, but typically these second year crops will not be as productive as a fresh crop. Therefore, I recommend you replant chufa annually.
— Greg Boozer, NWTF wildlife biologist

Q: Will chufa grow to maturity with Vermont's short growing season? Also, will the turkeys scratch for the chufa seeds or do they need to have it "turned up" in order for them to have easier access to it? I have heard conflicting reports on this.
— Don Isabelle, Pittsford, Vt.
A: Reports of chufa growing successfully have come from as far north as Maine. Chufa needs a 90- to 100-day growing period to reach full maturity. Once chufa reaches maturity, wild turkeys in the area will generally find the plot without any assistance.

That is not to say that a chufa plot planted in a not-so-favorable situation will attract wild turkeys. An island of chufa planted in a Wal-Mart parking lot will not have much success. This is a slight exaggeration I know, but you get the picture. However, it is possible to disk a small portion of the chufa plot to expose the tubers. You should only disk a chufa plot if there are no signs of wild turkey use. Keep in mind this practice can be viewed as manipulation of crops in some states and may be considered a game violation during various hunting seasons. Always check with your state wildlife agency for rules and regulations in these matters.
— Greg Boozer, NWTF wildlife biologist

Q: I have friends that plant chufa regularly each year and say I should soak my chufa overnight to increase the germination of the seedlings. Is this true or false? — Steven Dieck, Middleburg, Fla.
A: It is not necessary to soak chufa prior to planting, but during very dry periods it can improve germination. I generally soak mine for about 12 hours prior to planting. If you are planting chufa with a conventional planter DO NOT soak them as it can enlarge the seed and cause damage as it goes through the plates. If you plan to broadcast the seed then soaking them is a good idea.
— Scott Vance, NWTF assistant vice president of conservation programs

Q: Is there any way to keep raccoons and opossums out of a small chufa patch that is one-quarter to one-half an acre in size?
— Mark Poss, El Dorado, Ark.
A: I wish I had the magic solution for this problem. Depredation prior to germination and after maturity is a big issue for chufa. I have seen a number of folks use a two-wire electric fence placed at just the right height to intercept a raccoon-sized animal. This method is pretty effective if you can keep the fence hot. Some others have used deterrents such as tar coating the seed, spreading feces from predators on the field, etc. However, I've never heard of a method truly working well except the electric fence.
— Scott Vance, NWTF assistant vice president of conservation programs

Q: If you leave chufa in the ground can you disc it up and replant over the existing seeds? If so, when is the best time to disc it? Is it illegal to disc chufa during the turkey season? Also, what is best herbicide to use to keep the grass down?
— Arnold Andy, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
A: You can certainly replant over old chufa. However, you need to be aware that planting chufa year after year in the same plot can lead to infestations by nematodes, or roundworms, that will reduce your germination rate. The NWTF recommends rotating your chufa to a new patch every year and providing at least two fallow years in each field between chufa plantings.

In the Southeast we have found that planting chufa in early July can result in some of the best fields. Summer thunderstorms tend to provide enough moisture and you can avoid the spring flush of annual weeds that occurs during the spring. Many folks still like to plant in May, but they are also forced to do significant weed control.

In South Carolina, disking up your chufa and hunting over it is illegal. It is not considered a normal agricultural process and would be considered manipulating a field for the purpose of attracting game for harvest. In reality, there is no reason to disc up your chufa patch. The wild turkeys will have no problem finding the chufa unless you have a bad weed infestation.

Sethoxydim herbicide is the best way to keep grasses controlled in your chufa. Sethoxydim comes in several trade names including Poast®, Poast Plus®, Arrest® and Vantage®. You need to monitor your fields closely and once the grasses reach 4 inches tall you can spray right over the chufa with 1.5 to 2 pints of Poast herbicide per acre (see the herbicide label for non-cropland use) along with one quart per 100 gallons of solution of crop oil concentrate as a surfactant.

Surfactants are wetting agents that lower the surface tension of a liquid to allow easier spreading and lower the interfacial tension between two liquids. If you also have broadleaf weeds such as coffee weed and pigweed, use 1.5 pints per acre of 2,4-DB (also called Butyrac 175), but do not use 2,4-D because it may kill the chufa. You may use this mixture alone or in a tank mixed with the Poast. In either case, use the same rate of crop oil concentrate as recommended for the Poast mixture.
— Scott Vance, NWTF assistant vice president of conservation programs

Q: What should I do to keep turkeys from eating all the chufa before spring arrives? I have planted chufa for years, and most of the time it is all eaten by the time the spring season comes along.
— David Van Valkenburg, Kennesaw, Ga.
A: That's a good problem to have in most cases because it means you have a healthy turkey population. You may want to consider planting an even larger plot of chufa to accommodate the heavy fall use. Usually, birds are feeding on other food sources at that time of the year, especially in an area with oaks and acorns nearby. You might also consider planting an alternate food plot source in another area or rotating your plots every couple years so that the turkeys do not become accustomed to the same location year after year.

Some old garden tricks also may work for short periods of time. You may try hanging aluminum pie plates so that they will blow and clang with the wind. I've even heard of some people moving a dog out to their chufa patch. However, turkeys are pretty quick to learn how long the lead is on the dog!
— Donnie Buckland, NWTF director of upland programs

Q: Will other animals besides turkeys feed off chufa?
— Rochelle Tieman, Cincinnati, Ohio
A: The most common offenders that we hear of here in the Southeast are feral hogs, which can wreak havoc in a chufa patch by their rooting and feeding on chufa. There are also some other offenders including raccoons, squirrels and crows.
— Donnie Buckland, NWTF director of upland programs

For answers to more frequently asked questions about chufa, click here.

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