billygoat Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 Alright Todd and Martin, I need some advice. I have secured my lease again for next year, and was given the go ahead to put in a few small food plots (1/4-1/2 acre). I can probably afford to put in 2 or three, but the question is, what should I put in. The land is, essentially a "toiletbowl" shaped piece; ridges all around with crop ground in the middle. Next years crops will be the same- 10 acres of Alfalfa, 10 acres Soybeans, 20 acres corn, and 10 acres sudan grass. So what can I put in, as a food plot, that will present a "stronger" draw to deer, in a more protected setting? Any ideas would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 Re: Spring planning: what do I put in? While I am not Todd or Martin, I tried lablab plus this year for a early summer planting. Think beans are great for spring summer plantings. The deer are still using these plots. I really think you cannot go wrong with some type of beans in a spring planting. The sorghum in the tecomate ablab plus mix also seems to be a good draw, have been watching the does eating on the stuff just about every time I have gone out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 Re: Spring planning: what do I put in? [ QUOTE ] 10 acres of Alfalfa, 10 acres Soybeans, 20 acres corn [/ QUOTE ] Now that's tough to beat. What you want to provide is something highly attractive and something that will be available when the soybeans and corn are gone. What I would recommend is a mid-summer (Aug 1st-15th) planting of cereal grains and brassicas. Both will stay green during the entire winter and both a very palatable and attractive. I like winter wheat and rye grain for my cereal grains. I mixed my own this year and planted 50# of wheat, 50# rye, and 4# of Hamman Farms Winter Mix (brassicas) per acre and it has done great! A well fertilized plot will also be more attractive and nutritious! todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 Re: Spring planning: what do I put in? Id go with Brassicas...something different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bond Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 Re: Spring planning: what do I put in? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] 10 acres of Alfalfa, 10 acres Soybeans, 20 acres corn [/ QUOTE ] Now that's tough to beat. What you want to provide is something highly attractive and something that will be available when the soybeans and corn are gone. What I would recommend is a mid-summer (Aug 1st-15th) planting of cereal grains and brassicas. Both will stay green during the entire winter and both a very palatable and attractive. I like winter wheat and rye grain for my cereal grains. I mixed my own this year and planted 50# of wheat, 50# rye, and 4# of Hamman Farms Winter Mix (brassicas) per acre and it has done great! A well fertilized plot will also be more attractive and nutritious! todd [/ QUOTE ] I agree. Deer will walk through all our farm crops to get to winter wheat or winter rye. I never really had good luck with brassicas, but deer are supposed to love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 12, 2005 Report Share Posted November 12, 2005 Re: Spring planning: what do I put in? If it is a "protected" setting and there is other food sources around, you could plant just about anything and the deer would most likely be more prone to feed in your plot than the big open fields. I planted a couple summer plots this year with the lablab plus left it standing for the fall and then hand sewed in some winter wheat and rye back at the end of September. Will definitely be planting some peas and sorghum again next year, maybe just a little earlier in the season. We hold several groups of does nearby. We have several hundred acres of farm land very nearby us with corn, cotton, and beans. Once they start harvesting the deer usually end up moving around a little more, and occasionally will find my little plots and then continue to keep using them. Plant whatever you want, and good luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billygoat Posted November 14, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 Re: Spring planning: what do I put in? So how much will I need [ QUOTE ] 50# of wheat, 50# rye, and 4# of Hamman Farms Winter Mix (brassicas) [/ QUOTE ] to put in a couple well protected acres? It's tough, the guy I lease from is very timely about getting crops out, so I need something to draw these animals in... I had also given some thought to Sorghum and Sunflowers, but if my memory is right, they are really more effective, early on, correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 Re: Spring planning: what do I put in? that formula is per acre! Martin would know for sure but I think you would want to get your cereal grains and brassicas in around the first of August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhtr1 Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Re: Spring planning: what do I put in? I am not sure about the area you are in but down here we have soybeans and I can make them forget about them until they eat all of my plot. I plant American joint vetch and mix with alyce clover in the spring. This is about as good as you can get for protein and the deer love it. They will be in the field in the middle of a 90 deg day. I am not sure about lab lab but I do think you have to plant corn or somthing with it to grow on. Lab lab may be great but I cant see how it can beat the vetch as far as price and protein. I have never tried it. I think I will plant a small plot this year just to see how it goes. What ever you plant put out the proper lime and fertilizer. That alone will help attract the deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Re: Spring planning: what do I put in? yup doc you got the date right..Aug. 1st would be about right for his area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Re: Spring planning: what do I put in? [ QUOTE ] I had also given some thought to Sorghum and Sunflowers, but if my memory is right, they are really more effective, early on, correct? [/ QUOTE ] Dont know about the sunflowers, but here now in November the deer seem to still be eating on the sorghum some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted November 18, 2005 Report Share Posted November 18, 2005 Re: Spring planning: what do I put in? For a pure attractant you might try redtop cane. Good source of protein early then it changes to sugar late in the season. I've seen deer walk past a lot of other standing crops to get to it. If you let it grow tall enough, they'll also bed down in it. That's assuming it will grow in your climate and soil conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thayer Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 Re: Spring planning: what do I put in? For an early draw and a plot starter, buckwheat and sunflowers....after that the winter wheat, oats, cowpeas, and brassicas are very hard to beat...thanks DD... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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