Phil and I talked about financing some food plots for next year. He talked to several of you and it sounded like a good idea so I talked to Dad some and he has talked to the Pioneer seed guy about options.
There is a corn variety that is shorter (they call it maize?) that is roundup ready. He asked about grain sorgum and they don't have any that is roundup ready.
We're looking at roundup ready so that it will require less tillage throughout the year. Some weeds are ok but the intended food needs to not be choked out.
Anyone want to do a little research on other food options? Or just make some suggestions?
3 comments:
Use this google search: (roundup+ready+whitetail+food+plots)
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=roundup+ready+whitetail+food+plots&btnG=Google+Search
The first four hits are pretty interesting. Generally they suggest using a mix of RR corn and RR soybeans, then over-seeding Brassicas (grean leafy stuff; radishes, lettuce, turnips, ect...) late so they will sprout underneath. They sell this stuff in commercial mixes (BioLogic ect...), but I bet a creative farmer could replicate it just as well.
One more then back to work:
This is a cool site about food plots ect...
http://www.habitatnow.com/
On the right side go to food plots and feeders, then look at the deer/brassica stuff.
Another good site:
www.foodplots.com
I'm no farmer, you guys have the experience there, but from what I've read and considering our situation, I'd go with some configuration of a mix of RR corn and RR soybeans as a winter staple. Find a plot that won't be oversprayed (like between the sloughs, although needs to be fenced) and plant the hell out of it with brassicas.
From the foodplots.com site:
"The second type of brassica to consider is dwarf Essex rape. This is a plant with big leaves like broccoli and deer will also feed heavily on them after the first hard freeze and into the winter. Finally, a third choice is Tyfon or forage brassica. Cattle growers commonly use this plant because of its high yield and high protein content. And if you get hungry while hunting you make a salad out of it. Bring the Italian dressing in your fanny pack.
There are also many commercial blends of brassicas offered by food plot companies and some of their selections are very highly evolved. I wouldn’t tell you that the standard product you get from the local co-op or from the online seed merchant is just as good as the specialized varieties offered by the food plot companies, but they will definitely work. Deer will come to them and deer will eat them. These planting provide very good nutrition during the fall and winter.
The advantage of brassicas is the fact that deer generally will leave them alone until the onset of colder weather at which time the plot will become very attractive. Brassicas, in general, are also cheaper to plant than typical food plot grain options such as corn and soybeans."
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