Dipper rotation

[dipper]

The brassicas need added n to get the mega bulbs. After clover termination I add 50 pounds urea/acre at planting and 50 more of slow release n, when brassicas are up. My soil tests estimate I get about 50 pounds/acre when terminating clover. For what's that worth. The cool thing is, it doesn't matter, your gonna have deer food no matter what!

When was the clover planted? This fall or last year with the rye? It's funny watching the clover turn up when u flatten it.

Your guaranteed to have deer food this fall. Depending on your exact control method, will dictate what specific plant thrives the most. Native hunter had a good line about that, but I forgot exactly what it was. Maybe he can chime in?
The important thing is you are protecting your investment into that soil, saving time, $, and attracting/ holding deer.
I'm really excited to see some pics of those fat bucks u have on those plots!
My last suggestion is stay creative and don't go in on one thing. Leave some of that super thick rye, use some of that clethodim, top dress some n, don't in others. The plots aren't gonna be picture perfect, like on TV. Be observant to what the deer prefer, and u can tweek things next time. Either way, there is such little calculated risk with what your doing.

 

[dipper]

Kudos to u for giving that renter the boot! U are really doing the best for your land. When u really consider rent income, and educate yourself on what is actually happening when a renter is removing crops from your soil, you are $ ahead with a poor man's plot. Most importantly, who are being an A+ steward to your land!
Which appears to be world class, that's awesome!

 

[Bill]

No renter I got rid of them 6 years ago.

I've planted and left the beans all those years. So nutrients should have gone back down. Only 3 years of broadcasting rye into the beans in the fall. Didn't learn that trick until later.

I'll hit them with some N when I get back. They'll have to struggle The first 4 weeks. :D

I can't pay for a fat buck this year. Some little ones and fat does.

 

[Bill]

Oh and I just put the clover in. Figured I had it why not.

 

[SD51555]

No renter I got rid of them 6 years ago.

I've planted and left the beans all those years. So nutrients should have gone back down. Only 3 years of broadcasting rye into the beans in the fall. Didn't learn that trick until later.

I'll hit them with some N when I get back. They'll have to struggle The first 4 weeks. :D

I can't pay for a fat buck this year. Some little ones and fat does.

You may want to consider a soil sample. If the deer did a great job of eating, you may end up with fewer nutrients than a harvested bean field considering the deer carried the beans and leaves away and pooped them back out elsewhere.

 

[Bill]

I never considered the poop factor. :D

I've been meaning to get the soil tested one of these years.

 

[Bill]

This is definitely not growing stuff the way I'm used to. I'm taking the wait an see approach. There is stuff I planted and stuff I didn't coming up.

In this one pic I can see pigweed (deer eat it), purslane (deer eat it), crab grass, rye, soybean, clover, radish and turnip.

 

[dipper]

You have it in there, those are gonna be some huge bulbs. It's never pretty, but it's there.
Did u get rye germination?

 

[Bill]

You have it in there, those are gonna be some huge bulbs. It's never pretty, but it's there.
Did u get rye germination?

Thanks, that's reassuring. Yes some rye germinated but it's growing slow. Based on spring growth I figured it would be 18 inches tall by now. The clean it up in me wants to spray for the grasses I didn't plant. I think I'm just going to hold off and see what nature does.

 

[dipper]

I don't think u dragged the rye? U just flattened it? Just imagine, those seed aren't getting any soil contact if they are laying on top, or not touching the ground as well. By dragging it, you are ripping the seed head apart and dispersing it.
Its not picture perfect but the deer don't care. Keep an eye on that crabgrass, and don't be afraid to use a grass select if your rye hasn't really taken off.
your used to these picture perfect, tidy, bare soil plots. That rye thatch isn't as appealing to the eye as bare soil. The deer don't care what it looks like, and I see a lot of green there and it has a lot of time to grow

 

[Satchmo]

Thanks, that's reassuring. Yes some rye germinated but it's growing slow. Based on spring growth I figured it would be 18 inches tall by now. The clean it up in me wants to spray for the grasses I didn't plant. I think I'm just going to hold off and see what nature does.

Bill,
This is my first year doing this process as well. My plots are only 2 weeks old, but the green is filling in with the nice rains we've had lately. I'm fairly confident that all will turn out well, but I also take great comfort in the fact that if it doesn't, $20 worth of rye will save any plot that is struggling.

 

[dipper]

Bill,
This is my first year doing this process as well. My plots are only 2 weeks old, but the green is filling in with the nice rains we've had lately. I'm fairly confident that all will turn out well, but I also take great comfort in the fact that if it doesn't, $20 worth of rye will save any plot that is struggling.

I'd add some oats just because it's fun, oh-the deer also love it.

 

[Satchmo]

I'd add some oats just because it's fun, oh-the deer also love it.

True Dipper, and I have oats in my mix now. I just like the rye for back-up, because if I have to over seed late in the season, that sh*t will germinate down to about 35 degrees, grows if you spit on it, and stays green & desirable right through our rifle season.

 

[Bill]

I don't think u dragged the rye? U just flattened it? Just imagine, those seed aren't getting any soil contact if they are laying on top, or not touching the ground as well. By dragging it, you are ripping the seed head apart and dispersing it.
Its not picture perfect but the deer don't care. Keep an eye on that crabgrass, and don't be afraid to use a grass select if your rye hasn't really taken off.
your used to these picture perfect, tidy, bare soil plots. That rye thatch isn't as appealing to the eye as bare soil. The deer don't care what it looks like, and I see a lot of green there and it has a lot of time to grow

You're right I didn't drag it. When I ran the drill I had the FEL on the tractor about 3 inches off the ground. That shattered quite a few cause it seemed like rye seed was everywhere. Dragging kinda scares me on my farm. Anytime I break the surface it seems like ragweed explodes. You have me thinking. I'm going to take a closer look at the crabgrass vs rye content. I may spray.

 

[Bill]

Bill,
This is my first year doing this process as well. My plots are only 2 weeks old, but the green is filling in with the nice rains we've had lately. I'm fairly confident that all will turn out well, but I also take great comfort in the fact that if it doesn't, $20 worth of rye will save any plot that is struggling.

I hear that. Oats and rye don't cost much. I'm actually rethinking summer plots. My place is in the middle of a sea of beans and corn. There's no lack of food anywhere around here in the summer.

 

[Bill]

Well the cleth took care of the grasses. The DER isn't getting a chance to grow their hammering it.

Radish and turnips are struggling along. Natural clover is out competing every thing. I added 2lbs/acre of red clover but the seed bank decided to give me lots more.

All in all its a salad bar.

 

[SD51555]

Looks nice and clean. Are you dry there? I can't imagine you're hurting too much for moisture with that blanket.

 

[Bill]

It has been dry.

Rain is suppose to come in tonight. Might jump the brassica's.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

It looks like you have a good stand of brassicas there. If you're in Missouri I'm guessing you'll have time for them to take off with a good rain. The brassicas I overseeded in oat stubble did pretty well, but some areas were noticeably thicker than others. The plants in the thin area produced some pretty impressive bulbs, but the weeds seemed to like the openings in the canopy. The deer browsed some of the weeds so I left that type and hand pulled some of the others that the deer were leaving alone.

You seem to have some really nice uniform spacing on your brassicas.

 

[Bill]

It looks like you have a good stand of brassicas there. If you're in Missouri I'm guessing you'll have time for them to take off with a good rain. The brassicas I overseeded in oat stubble did pretty well, but some areas were noticeably thicker than others. The plants in the thin area produced some pretty impressive bulbs, but the weeds seemed to like the openings in the canopy. The deer browsed some of the weeds so I left that type and hand pulled some of the others that the deer were leaving alone.

You seem to have some really nice uniform spacing on your brassicas.

Thanks,
Rained yesterday quite a bit. I'm hoping that gives them a kick in the pants.
Can't take credit for the spacing, that was all the no till drill.