[Luv2hunteup]

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.

 

[Luv2hunteup]

Winfred matures in 10-12 weeks.

 

[Luv2hunteup]

The place we are buying already has ~7 acres of hay field that the neighbor (their grandkids, who we are friends with) bale for their livestock. So it kinda sorta already has plots. It is surrounded on two sides by Ag, usually corn or soy beans. So really I wanted a couple smaller plots of basically last season food. There are thick woods mixed in and a pond on the other side by the back of the house. It is a little over 30ac total, so not a ton of room, but I would like a couple winter food sources for the deer. I plan to start my own thread as soon as it is actually ours.

After thinking about it, it is probably more like 5 acers of hay.

When in doubt fertilize what you have, you don’t have to do it all just the spots that will benefit your hunt. It beats procrastinating until next year. Im in the habit of trying an experiment if some sort every year. It might not work out but it’s better than doing nothing. Deer do not seem to care if it looks like a pic out of a seed catalog.

 

[Luv2hunteup]

If you guys like winfred you will also like other brassica hybrids. T-raptor and Pasja hybrid will add variety to your brassica plots.

 

[Luv2hunteup]

Both of them have bulbs?.Where were you last week. Thank you

Enlarged root stem but no bulb to speak of. Lots of bio mass that can stand up to browsing with regrowth.

 

[Luv2hunteup]

I’ve used the Earthway bag and bucket style seeders. Both work well. I liked the bucket style better. I gave the bag seeder away and the bucket seeder collects dust on the shelf in the barn. I picked up a used Herd M-96 three point PTO seeder that needed a little TLC. An afternoon of work freeing up the gate, cleaning, painting and it’s working great. The setting chart is spot on if I drive at the speed suggested which is simple by looking at the decal on the tractor. I prepped 4 clover plots yesterday and had them completed before dark. No short cuts were taken because I expect them to last years. I’m now hoping for the rain in early next weeks forecast.

 

[Luv2hunteup]

I’ve emptied my rain gauge at camp 5 times since May 1st. 2-1/2” since then but that does not include all the moisture that has accumulated from the winter and few years. I have silty loam that holds moisture well. Even with the small amount of rain we have been receiving things are progressing along but at a slower rate. Weed and grass germination has taken place throughout the summer and multiple discings has been depleting the seed bank without the use of herbicide. Wind and sun is very effective.

Iweather rainfall is showing 1/4” today. It’s not much but I take whatever Mother Nature supplies. 2021 summer plantings include about an acre of soybeans, 1/2 acre of hybrid sorghum screen and 4 plots of perennial clover. 8 plots total so far. My larger hunting plots will be mostly Aroostook rye this year and a brassica blend in another plot. They are pretty ready to go with weeds and grasses under control.

 

[Luv2hunteup]

I’m a big fan of planting brassica in a blend that I mix. The year is no exception. T-Raptor and Pasja hybrids are typically included in the blend of rape, turnip and hybrid seed. A quick video that mentions both T-Raptor and Winfred brassica.

 

[Luv2hunteup]

How do you guys incorporate fertilizer? I’ve had good results fertilizing after pulling the spring tooth drag through to rough level the plot. After fertilization I’ll pull the spike tooth drag through to final level the plot. Seed is broadcast between cultipacker passes. I don’t have to worry about nitrogen evaporation if rain is delayed.

 

[Luv2hunteup]

It’s a bit early for rye even above the 46th parallel. How far north are you?

 

[Luv2hunteup]

Aren’t you glad you didn’t plant a dwarf variety of rape?

 

[Luv2hunteup]

I would gladly trade for some snow! Just maybe not as much as you guys get up there.

Bring your shovel, you can have as much as you want for free.