Food Plots?

[Dan Thiem]

Now I see them. Way to go! It looks awesome! I like the way you have opened it up so the sun gets right in there.

Do you have plans for making any more?

[Mark Christianson]

I have plans to expand the 7 plots I have, and to make a few more even....

Its an addiction.

If you build it, they will come.

And keep coming...

And maybe you might even see something like this....

Honestly, I have so many pics from deer in the plots, I could take down the FM site, and cause the server to meltdown...

[BLACKJACK]

biglakebass, what kind of camera do you have? Would you buy it again? I was looking at some this weekend at Scheels in St.Cloud. Didn't pull the trigger. Trying to hold out for a digital. Maybe Santa willl bring me one

[PerchJerker]

About the spraying question, it depends on what you've planted. Basically, if you've planted a broadleaf you can spray for grass, and if you've planted a grass or cereal grain you can spray for broadleaf weeds, but you can't spray for broadleaf weeds in clover or chicory or brassicas unless you want to lose what you planted (there are a few exceptions but that is the rule).

If you have a perennial like clover or chicory you can mow it for weed control, but if you have an annual you don't want to mow it.

Tilling and planting in the spring will cause weed growth in your food plots. Fall planting is better for weed control. But deer eat a lot of weeds, so don't worry too much about weeds unless they are literally taking over your foodplot.

[BLACKJACK]

Is anyboody getting any action in your food plots this time of year? Specifcally food plots that aren't corn? All my clover spots are eaten right down to the ground, but I also planted a couple of spots into rape and clover/turnip/rape combos that were supposed to be good once they froze and frankly I've been disapointed by the lack of use by the deer. Any deer activity that I've been seeing has been in picked corn and soybean fields. Do any of you have anything planted that attracts the deer this time of year?

[Mark Christianson]

I have one plot behind the house, but it was mowed flat to the ground a long time ago. Not sure if they are nibbling on it or not with no snow around to see if they are there.

All my other plots are 150 miles away, and I have not been up there in a few weeks. I can only hope there is some value left in them for the deer and turkeys.

[Beeber]

Captain,

About the weed question. Where there is a will there is a way. This is what I do for a living (Ag Chem Research and development primarily herbicides). Perennial weed control is best done before you plant preferably in the fall so the plants will move the herbicide down to the roots. Your best option is Roundup + 2,4-D or Banvel. Another shot of roundup before you plant will help out the situation. Then depending on what you plant, there are in-crop options for both broadleaf and grass control in almost everything.

If you have specific questions let me know.

Later

[BLACKJACK]

Beeber, what would you recommend to spray on a grain sorghum pheasant food plot? I sprayed it with 2,4D which killed off the broadleafs but the foxtail is so thick that it’s practically choking out the sorghum.

What do you think of the roundup ready corn or soybeans for a food plot? Can you plant them year after year? Seriously considering this instead of sorghum if I can find a cheap 4 row planter. I know soybeans won’t hold up as well to snow but on a lite snow year like this, the deer and pheasants would like them.

[Beeber]

Blackjack,

You have a couple of options for Foxtail and other annual grasses and small seeded broadleaf’s in Grain Sorghum. One is Atrazine applied preemergence, or postemergence with an oil additive and the other is Dual II Magnum also applied preemergence. For the best results a tankmix of the two is the way to go. The Atrazine rate should not exceed 1 lb ai/A and the Dual II Magnum rate should not exceed 1.75 pt/A. For the correct rates for your situation and any restrictions you may need to heed, read and follow each product Label as your soil texture and OM level will determine how much you can use and any recropping restrictions you will have to follow. Also make sure the sorghum seed has been treated with Concept seed treatment. I don't think you can but sorghum seed that has not been treated with it but make sure as Concept is what provides the tolerance to the herbicides in Sorghum. Check at your local Ag center for further details on the application.

As for RR Corn and Soy the nice thing about the RR system is that it is relatively user friendly but make sure you do not spray anything you do not want to kill. You most likely will need multiple applications over the course of the summer to keep the plot clean, as Roundup is not a residual product.

Later

[BLACKJACK]

Thanks Beeber. I'm looking hard for a planter, going to watch the auctions. If I can find one, I'm going to go with the roundup ready corn. If not, I'll look into your atrazine idea. Problem is that I don't have a sprayer, in the past I've had the local elevator in Sunburg spray and since I a small operator, I'm ususally last on their list.

If I go with the roundup for a couple of years, will that knock back the foxtaill enough so that the third year I can go with the grain sorghum again without atrazine?

Food plot update. I noticed that the deer are finally starting to eat some of the plots planted with the brassicas, the rape and turnups. Maybe on a normal year, cooler earlier, they'd eat them down earlier while hunting season was still open. Would like to see 5-6 inches of snow to see if they'd dig down thru the snow after the plants that are left. Can't cross the brassicas off the list yet!

[Beeber]

BlackJack,

Foxtail seed can stay viable in the soil for a number of years so you may be able to thin it out a little over a couple of years but you will still need to spray for it when you plant your sorghum.

Later

[trollneyes]

I have an area that I would like to plant clover in. The ground does not have very good drainage, but it is good enough for CRP to grow. The reason I would like to plant this area is that it borders a thick willow stand that is a very good bedding area. What clover types have any of you had good luck with in low lying areas with less than perfect drainage? Also does anyone know what percentage of CRP can be taken out and planted as food plots? 5% sticks in my head but maybe that number is high I am not sure.

[trollneyes]

Bump

[tealitup]

Ok guys.. Here is a question. I have never tried to make a food plot. I own about 200 ac. 50 miles Northwest of Two Harbors.

The area is wet - have a couple swamps - and if you know the north country it is very unforgiving.

I have one area that is open. When i mean open - its about 150 yards by 100 yards. In the summer and fall it has high weeds. Many rocks and some small trees. This area is about 1.5 miles into the woods.

I can bring round up to kill most of the weeds, but do not think I can bring a tractor. I could walk a tiller back there - but will the rocks damage the equipment?

Any ideas? I have been reading these posts and you all have me thinking.

[Mark Christianson]

Well anything is possible, depending how much time you have and how much work you want to put into it.

I have never used a tiller for a plot. We have some ATV implements we have bought(new from stores and even a couple old farm implements).

The first 3 or 4 plots I made were all hand and ATV work. It was work a lot of hand work, but they look great now.

If you have the ambition, anything is worth a try. You dont need to do it all at once. Start small and expand on it next year.

[East Rush Rules]

Hey Teal,

I would give whitetail institutes no-plow a shot! Thats what im doing and ive heard a lot of good stuff about the product. It can be planted without tilling the soil, all you have to do is nock down the weeds, or round up them! It would be a lot easier to do this then hall a bunch of stuff around! Korey

[cyberamish]

I've used a tiller on smaller plots befor with good results. I would mow the area with a brush mower, round up the area a couple of times first then till and wait a couple weeks, and round up again. I have done this on plots roughly 20 yds x 50 yds and then planted them in greystripe sunflowers. worked quite well and the deer love the seeds off the flowers. I have also planted one plot with biologics NZ blend and it grew very well. Doing plots that big with a walk behind tiller will definately be a workout but it can be done. Our area (near Duluth) grows more rocks than anywhere I have ever seen but it really hasn't damaged the tiller that I can see. If I hit a real big one it will kill the motor or the tiller will hop up. Maybe check around for an old used tiller if damage is a concern though.

[tealitup]

East Rush-

I have seen the no till items, but was not sure how they would do. When should I plant? Wait til' fall? I was thinking over memorial day I would head north and see about using round up - is this too early or should I let the weeds grow a little before using round up.

[East Rush Rules]

Hey teal,

Im not too sure about all of this foodplot stuff, so you better ask one of the many experts on here!! I just planted my no plow this last weekend. I think it is in time, it says on the bag anytime from april something to june 3rd, so i think you have time!! Go for it! Korey

[PerchJerker]

If you don't have any way to till the soil I would spray with Roundup on Mem Day weekend. Check again in a month or so and if there's more weeds growing spray them again. The no till blends can work really well, but the biggest key is making good seed-to-soil contact and the second biggest is probably to fertilize when you plant. Since you'll be broadcasting into soil you didn't till you'll want to go with a heavy seeding rate. You might also want to consider adding some oats or wheat or rye grain to the no till blends - the cereal grains should come up fast, and should provide a nice nurse crop while everything else gets started. I'd suggest planting in the first part of August and praying for rain. Good luck.