My seed supplier told me the Winfred Brassica does well in sandy soil . Said if it has decent rainfall when it gets established, will do well once it has dry conditions . Anyone try it ? I planted purple top turnips, forage radishes and rape last August . Got 12 to 15 inches high and the deer had it about flattened by late October . I could not hunt in October ,as I wasl laid up after knee surgery. First week of November it was still drawing a few deer . Just looking for other options . Might plant a few strips of Winfred and still plant the others that I used last year . He said the Winfred can withstand the grazing and grow better than what I used . I am a curious person and like to try other options . Will still try it regardless .
Winfred Brassica
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I’ve planted it on silty loam. It did well until the soil got saturated. I’ve found hybrids provide the most tonnage per acre. It’s worth the $1/# more for the price of seed.
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I tried them last year and was impressed. They stood up to drought and browse pressure very well. These pictures show their ability to regrow; before, during, and after. This was a first year plot on sandy soil.
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I have not personally planted Winfred brassicas but there seems to be several guys on the www.habitat-talk.com forum that do. You might want to check them out.
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Wow
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Late June, I had read they could be planted earlier than most other brassica's which is why I planted that early. I planted more on another property mixed with PTT and radish in late July that did just as well, on worse ground. I did give them plenty of urea. This year I will plant them with a mix of other brassica's in late July. The deer around me like brassicas and I prefer to have a bulb to keep them around later into the season.
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Winfred matures in 10-12 weeks.
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Anyone planting Winfred this year? I am going to order some today.
I know the title of this thread (link below) in the Habitat-Talk forum is "Spring planted winter rye" but there is a lot of info and photos on Winfred Forage Brassicas. I am impressed enough to want to plant some here next week. I like the fact that it can grow to heights of 4-5 feet, that it grows back after being browsed down and that the deer are even fond of the thick stems in winter. Sounds like it produces a lot of tonnage.
spring planted winter rye? (discussion on Winfred begins on page 3 - post #43)
2#/acre in a mix or 4-5#/acre as a stand alone.
Will let you know how well it does for us here at Lone Oak.
I know the title of this thread (link below) in the Habitat-Talk forum is "Spring planted winter rye" but there is a lot of info and photos on Winfred Forage Brassicas. I am impressed enough to want to plant some here next week. I like the fact that it can grow to heights of 4-5 feet, that it grows back after being browsed down and that the deer are even fond of the thick stems in winter. Sounds like it produces a lot of tonnage.
spring planted winter rye? (discussion on Winfred begins on page 3 - post #43)
2#/acre in a mix or 4-5#/acre as a stand alone.
Will let you know how well it does for us here at Lone Oak.
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I purchased some today and will try it out for the first time as well. I will be sowing into standing rye and will cultipack and spray the rye to terminate it. After approximately 12+ inches of rain in the past two weeks, my soil is finally moist! Thankfully I'm on sandy loam here in SW Michigan.
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Great! Keep us posted on its progress NTCPA. We have had less than 2" of rain here in the last 4-5 weeks but it is raining at the moment so fingers crossed.
I will be broadcasting the Winfred and also some turnips and maybe a little radish into my sugar beets, which have really struggled during these drought conditions. They have perked up quite a bit with the little bit of rain we have had recently but they are still pretty thin (probably didn't help that I ran over some of them while spraying). Will have to keep the Winfred thin enough that it doesn't outcompete my sugar beets. Will spray the RR SB one more time prior to broadcasting the brassicas.
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If I'm understanding correctly, this particular brassica will regrow as it is browsed? This is my main reason for not going crazy with rape or kale or other brassicas that don't produce bulbs, because once the greens are gone they are gone. At least if you go heavy on the turnips you get a nice fat bulb to go with the greens. For small plots this is a major consideration.
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Im pretty sure, almost positive, John Komp from northwoods whitetail seed puts winfred brassica in his sweet feast mix. I noticed the regrowth on certain brassicas on his mix in the past and believe i just read the seed list the other day on sweat feast package
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Yes - That is my understanding as well TTI88. It can be grazed by cattle up to 4 times per season.
OVERVIEW
Winfred forage brassica is hybrid cross between kale and turnip. With its particularly leafy growth, Winfred is highly digestible and has good palatability for grazing whitetail, cattle, and sheep. With its superior regrowth potential, Winfred can be grazed up to four times within a growing season. Additionally, it has great frost tolerance and is known to stay green and lush when temperatures reach as low as 10°F. Whether used alone or in a mixture, this variety is a solid performer and is widely adapted to a range of climates and soils.
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Very interesting, and perhaps a bit of a game changer for small plots. Very intrigued, might have to add some to my mix. Not sure if that will happen this year, but for those that get some in the ground this year keep us posted!
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I ordered some yesterday for a small secluded plot. Going to plant as a stand alone.
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Where you get the seeds from?
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Merritt, shipped the same day.
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I'm debating on adding some crimson clover with it to provide nitrogen
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Thank you, Going to plant my bulbs next week and might throw little of this in the efence. I am planting brassicas in same plot 2 years in a row..... I know I shouldn't but have no other choice till I open more hardwoods this winter and spring
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