So everyone agrees a destination plot or two should help my property. I was thinking about doing 5 acres of soybeans and hope the deer don't mow them down too soon. I may plant my other smaller plots in them as well to add some volume so that some might survive! Is there another crop that would go well with the soybeans or should I just go with a pure stand? Has anyone used Quail Haven soybeans? I'm in GA.
Soybeans only or add something?
- Thread starter WeedyJ
- Start date
yoderjac
5 year old buck +
It is always good to mix grasses and legumes. I had high deer density and browse pressure when I was planting beans. I found RR forage beans stood up best for me. If I planted enough acreage, I could plant ag beans. When using RR beans, you are limited to RR adjunct crops. I used corn at a 7:1 ratio (beans to corn) by weight. That was enough corn to add some vertical cover to the soybeans which encouraged more use during shooting hours.
If you are using non-RR beans like Tyrone forage beans or Quail Haven beans, you have more options for an adjunct crop but you will have a weedier field (not necessarily bad unless the weeds out-compete the beans with your browse pressure). If you are using forage beans, some are climbing and lattice crops may work well. Sorghum could be a nice fit.
If you plan to broadcast a cover crop into beans for fall, keep the grass element in the mix light.
Thanks,
Jack
Tree Spud
5 year old buck +
Need to determine if you will be spraying beans for weed control.
I planted Real world beans this year and they have out performed ag beans by not shattering as much and producing good pods.I broadcast winter wheat when beans start to yellow. I also plant about 5 acres and of this 412 are beans and 1/2 acre is clover and winter wheat.I have a fairly high density and didn't have any problem as growth kept up.It can depend on how much rain you get at the right time.A small patch of clover or even alfalfa can take some pressure off the beans
yep
Didn't seem to be as heavy this year, but usually pretty heavy.
Haven't thought about that yet. Still learning. Supposedly Quail Haven do well in my area but not RR
True about the Ag. I have other smaller plots not adjacent to where I'll plant, so don't know if planting those at the same time would help.
My hogs are bad to eat soybean seed at time of planting. No way could I plant corn for support. My hogs have educated me on the virtue of clover. I have had decent luck with the tecomate mixes that incorporate a high percentage of ebony pea. It is a small enough seed they dont seem to mess with it. The ebony pea does need structure to climb.
yoderjac
5 year old buck +
Real world beans are ag beans. They are just a couple varieties mixed that have high shatter resistance characteristics.
Ever tried putting out corn piles to distract them for the first week or so? May be time to finally try out the thermal scope! Also considered adding buckwheat to take off some early grazing pressure.
j-bird
Moderator
The big thing is that I would plan on overseeding your standing beans with a mix of crimson clover, turnips and rye/wheat combo. I do this just to get a little more food out of the plot area. I spread the clover and turnips about the time the beans start to turn yellow.....then I broadcast the rye/wheat later to give the clover and turnips a head start. Timing will vary depending on your area. Now I plant regular ag beans so I am not sure how this will work if you have forage type beans. I just use a broadcast spreader and let the rain do the work and as the bean leaves turn brown more sunlight is available and the greens will grow. This is also a great "plan B" should the deer wipe out your beans...in my opinion.
