Don Higgins blend or CIR Switch

[Hoytvectrix]

I've been trying to develop an easy access, low impact spot the past few years. It was mostly intended for getting our does at, without having to put extra harvest pressure on the interior. Turns out bucks like the location of the plot also. Deer can filter in from an untouched piece of sanctuary woods of ours, but can also choose to filter in from a bit of cover belonging to the neighbors. I'd like to keep as many on ours as possible, and putting in another acre of switch will help I think. It's a travel corridor. I'll take 1 acre out of ag production to accomplish this. I ordered 10 lbs of RC Big Rock. Starting to wonder if it'd be a little safer to cut the rate and add a little of something else. In looking at Ernst, it seems maybe Kanlow is going by the wayside, and they mention 3 or 4 others that "replace" Kanlow. Has anyone tried any of these? Independence, Liberty, Timber are 3 of them. I know a few have questioned the RC lineup, not having many years of observation behind them yet. Or am I overthinking this, for just a small strip of travel corridor?

Were you able to get your RC Big Rock in the ground? I mentioned Kanlow a few times in this thread for another project I completed in 2021. I converted a mostly pure field of reed canary grass to Kanlow and Cave in Rock. The Cave in Rock was drilled in one section of the field in 2020 and the Kanlow drilled in the summer of 2021. My only complaint with this project is that I likely planted at too high of a rate. Here is what the Kanlow looks like 3 years later:

A five foot Miracle Tube for reference:


This is a wetter site and the Kanlow is marketed as one of the lowland switchgrasses. I am currently prepping another site on another farm that is more upland like and am considering RC Big Rock. It seems to be getting quite a bit of attention online. Despite the price tag of RC Big Rock, Kanlow is still $6 more per pound.

 

[mtholton]

MY RC Big Rock has done well. Very sandy soil. First picture is of a screen I planted this spring, around 4 feet now. Started slow and came on strong. Should be a great screen by next year. Second picture is a screen I planted last year. I didn't get as good of prep on that one and wasn't sure if it would outcompete the weeds in the second year. First year was weedy. It beat out the weeds and is now over 7 feet in many areas and I have to mow some paths through it just to get into the plots its so thick... I had had great success with CIR as well in prior years, but RC seems to be a bit taller for sure at least for me.

 

[Brian662]

12-15' wide screen of RC Bigrock planted last March. Ground was tilled, packed broadcast seed and packed again. Sprayed with atrazine. Last year was thinner but 4-5' tall. This year is 6-8' tall mostly in the 8' range. Screen is ~170 yards long and there are two spots where you could see if someone else was standing 15' away. Unreal product compared to unimproved varieties. Planting 5 or 6 more acres next year on my new property.

 

[Mortenson]

I did get the RC Big Rock down, and up. Haven't seen it since early summer, so not sure what it's looking like. I don't anticipate laying eyes on it 'til after we get the corn out, hopefully in 6-8 weeks. I snapped these pics when we were arrowhead hunting on 5/29. I imagine it will have strong weed pressure, but it should be there.

 

[cbw]

12-15' wide screen of RC Bigrock planted last March. Ground was tilled, packed broadcast seed and packed again. Sprayed with atrazine. Last year was thinner but 4-5' tall. This year is 6-8' tall mostly in the 8' range. Screen is ~170 yards long and there are two spots where you could see if someone else was standing 15' away. Unreal product compared to unimproved varieties. Planting 5 or 6 more acres next year on my new property.View attachment 68048View attachment 68049

Looks amazing! Nice job!


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[homegrownbucks]

If I had to guess, I would say rw switchgrass is the cultivar “Liberty”. It seems to fit the description better than anything else in my opinion

 

[Mortenson]

Finally got to see the RC Bigrock after it's infancy. A few spots were thin, guessing due to overlapping chemical. But overall pretty pleased. Mostly 5' high, with seed heads a little taller.

 

[buckdeer1]

I like to plant wheat and then spray with RU early in spring the same day or close to when I plant.I would check to see what your local NRCS is using as that usually is meant for your area.I have planted Blackwell,Kanlow and both grew well.Thing I really like about switch over NWSG is I can plant with my regular dril

 

[Foggy47]

I made the decision to go to more permanent screen / bedding areas on my land after last years hunt. Gotta break up my food plots and get better cover. Been watching videos and reading info for a few months now.....and there certainly is allot of conflicting information out there....depending on whom you listen to.

I have come to stop watching the Switch guru's with posts that are over 3 years old....as they do not use the new and improved varieties. Also, anyone that uses roundup after planting is off my watch list.

The new varieties of Switch are a game changer.....if what I am reading and watching is correct....and I think it is. Gone are the days where you wait and hope for switch to develop in the following year or two. The new varieties of RC Switchgrass (four varieties) seem to be the answer. Although I suppose you could include Don Higgin's Real World in this area as I realize he has a group of followers. In any event you can now get some great results in the first year....if you plan properly.

I am uncertain if Don's "Real World" switch products are simply "re-badged" brands of "R C" switch grass? Dunno....and not going down that rabbit hole.

For me, I'm in Zone 3 and need a variety that can be drilled in my climate and sand. I figured I better pull the trigger and buy some switch.....and decided that the RC Tecumseh seemed to be a bullet-proof variety for my area. It may not get quite as tall as a few others....but time will tell.

I now wish I had included a second variety in my order and blended them together. Alas.....I am going down this path with Tecumseh.

This topic has been quite confusing due to the overload of different information and getting some of these terms sorted out. The world of switch is changing fast. If you got info from three or four years ago.....you are out of date.....IMO.

Seems Jon at NWW may have the best site and info on this topic.....even so, if you have not been following along for a period of time (and I had not) then this whole topic is confusing . Much easier to establish and get results today....if you do it right.

 

[T-Max]

I made the decision to go to more permanent screen / bedding areas on my land after last years hunt. Gotta break up my food plots and get better cover. Been watching videos and reading info for a few months now.....and there certainly is allot of conflicting information out there....depending on whom you listen to.

I have come to stop watching the Switch guru's with posts that are over 3 years old....as they do not use the new and improved varieties. Also, anyone that uses roundup after planting is off my watch list.

The new varieties of Switch are a game changer.....if what I am reading and watching is correct....and I think it is. Gone are the days where you wait and hope for switch to develop in the following year or two. The new varieties of RC Switchgrass (four varieties) seem to be the answer. Although I suppose you could include Don Higgin's Real World in this area as I realize he has a group of followers. In any event you can now get some great results in the first year....if you plan properly.

I am uncertain if Don's "Real World" switch products are simply "re-badged" brands of "R C" switch grass? Dunno....and not going down that rabbit hole.

For me, I'm in Zone 3 and need a variety that can be drilled in my climate and sand. I figured I better pull the trigger and buy some switch.....and decided that the RC Tecumseh seemed to be a bullet-proof variety for my area. It may not get quite as tall as a few others....but time will tell.

I now wish I had included a second variety in my order and blended them together. Alas.....I am going down this path with Tecumseh.

This topic has been quite confusing due to the overload of different information and getting some of these terms sorted out. The world of switch is changing fast. If you got info from three or four years ago.....you are out of date.....IMO.

Seems Jon at NWW may have the best site and info on this topic.....even so, if you have not been following along for a period of time (and I had not) then this whole topic is confusing . Much easier to establish and get results today....if you do it right.

You are right. If you looked into switch a few years ago and did t look again until now, you would think they were planting completely different things.


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[Brian662]

I made the decision to go to more permanent screen / bedding areas on my land after last years hunt. Gotta break up my food plots and get better cover. Been watching videos and reading info for a few months now.....and there certainly is allot of conflicting information out there....depending on whom you listen to.

I have come to stop watching the Switch guru's with posts that are over 3 years old....as they do not use the new and improved varieties. Also, anyone that uses roundup after planting is off my watch list.

The new varieties of Switch are a game changer.....if what I am reading and watching is correct....and I think it is. Gone are the days where you wait and hope for switch to develop in the following year or two. The new varieties of RC Switchgrass (four varieties) seem to be the answer. Although I suppose you could include Don Higgin's Real World in this area as I realize he has a group of followers. In any event you can now get some great results in the first year....if you plan properly.

I am uncertain if Don's "Real World" switch products are simply "re-badged" brands of "R C" switch grass? Dunno....and not going down that rabbit hole.

For me, I'm in Zone 3 and need a variety that can be drilled in my climate and sand. I figured I better pull the trigger and buy some switch.....and decided that the RC Tecumseh seemed to be a bullet-proof variety for my area. It may not get quite as tall as a few others....but time will tell.

I now wish I had included a second variety in my order and blended them together. Alas.....I am going down this path with Tecumseh.

This topic has been quite confusing due to the overload of different information and getting some of these terms sorted out. The world of switch is changing fast. If you got info from three or four years ago.....you are out of date.....IMO.

Seems Jon at NWW may have the best site and info on this topic.....even so, if you have not been following along for a period of time (and I had not) then this whole topic is confusing . Much easier to establish and get results today....if you do it right.

Don's switchgrass is not an improved variety and will take the ~3 years to get to maturity AND he charges an arm and a leg. It's good switch but still needs all the traditional prep methods.

From what I know about your property Foggy, I think you'll be very happy with Tecumseh.

What your plans are - screening vs bedding should determine the planting rate. Your 3p500 should put put it in at the perfect depth.

 

[Foggy47]

Don's switchgrass is not an improved variety and will take the ~3 years to get to maturity AND he charges an arm and a leg. It's good switch but still needs all the traditional prep methods.

From what I know about your property Foggy, I think you'll be very happy with Tecumseh.

What your plans are - screening vs bedding should determine the planting rate. Your 3p500 should put put it in at the perfect depth.

Thanks Brian....good to hear your input. The "old" days of hunting over food plots is gone from my land. Needs much more screening and cover to break up my larger plots and provide some access for us....and for the deer to work the land better.

Every time I had read into switch in the past....it seemed to be more work than it was worth to me....and dealt with fire and strange (to me) chemicals. It's gotten a whole lot easier if it works as I have recently read.

 

[Foggy47]

Lots of recent talk about the size of the switch seeds.....and how some feel the larger seeds like the RC Big Rock is superior to smaller seeds like the RC Tecumseh. Lots more seeds per pound in the smaller Tecumseh......but it sounds as though the larger seeds are taller (?) or perhaps more hardy at planting? Dunno. The Tecumseh seems bullet proof for my latitude. Zone 3.

Not sure I get the point of the seed size. Seems the rates would vary quite a bit from the seeds per lb figures I saw. Almost double the number of seeds with Tecumseh over The Big Rock or another new RC variety (name escapes me right now).

Lots of what I have seen posted says to keep a relatively low seed rate 4 to 7 lbs / acre.......but that could mean almost twice as many seeds in one variety vs the other. So far I am currently focussed on 5 to 6 lbs / acre. May get a little heavier in property perimeter screening....where I cannot get too wide.

Never plan to burn (too many pine trees) and mowing this mass might be a bummer.....if and when that time comes.

Will do an application of Roundup and 2-4D in May.....and follow with a second application of Roundup a few weeks later at seed time....as well as an application of Simazine to follow at or soon after planting.

Will mostly do existing food plot areas.....and some extensions around these plots that are good staging and bedding areas. May experiment with a few other small areas too....just for the experience for the future.

Still developing an absolute planting plan to make my maze and take advantage of the sun, etc.

 

[Foggy47]

Lots of recent talk about the size of the switch seeds.....and how some feel the larger seeds like the RC Big Rock is superior to smaller seeds like the RC Tecumseh. Lots more seeds per pound in the smaller Tecumseh......but it sounds as though the larger seeds are taller (?) or perhaps more hardy at planting? Dunno. The Tecumseh seems bullet proof for my latitude. Zone 3.

Not sure I get the point of the seed size. Seems the rates would vary quite a bit from the seeds per lb figures I saw. Almost double the number of seeds with Tecumseh over The Big Rock or another new RC variety (name escapes me right now).

Lots of what I have seen posted says to keep a relatively low seed rate 4 to 7 lbs / acre.......but that could mean almost twice as many seeds in one variety vs the other. So far I am currently focussed on 5 to 6 lbs / acre. May get a little heavier in property perimeter screening....where I cannot get too wide.

Never plan to burn (too many pine trees) and mowing this mass might be a bummer.....if and when that time comes.

Will do an application of Roundup and 2-4D in May.....and follow with a second application of Roundup a few weeks later at seed time....as well as an application of Simazine to follow at or soon after drilling.

Will mostly do existing food plot areas.....and some extensions around these plots that are good staging and bedding areas. May experiment with a few other small areas too....just for the experience for the future.

Still developing an absolute planting plan to make my maze and take advantage of the sun, etc.

 

[Brian662]

Lots of recent talk about the size of the switch seeds.....and how some feel the larger seeds like the RC Big Rock is superior to smaller seeds like the RC Tecumseh. Lots more seeds per pound in the smaller Tecumseh......but it sounds as though the larger seeds are taller (?) or perhaps more hardy at planting? Dunno. The Tecumseh seems bullet proof for my latitude. Zone 3.

Not sure I get the point of the seed size. Seems the rates would vary quite a bit from the seeds per lb figures I saw. Almost double the number of seeds with Tecumseh over The Big Rock or another new RC variety (name escapes me right now).

Lots of what I have seen posted says to keep a relatively low seed rate 4 to 7 lbs / acre.......but that could mean almost twice as many seeds in one variety vs the other. So far I am currently focussed on 5 to 6 lbs / acre. May get a little heavier in property perimeter screening....where I cannot get too wide.

Never plan to burn (too many pine trees) and mowing this mass might be a bummer.....if and when that time comes.

Will do an application of Roundup and 2-4D in May.....and follow with a second application of Roundup a few weeks later at seed time....as well as an application of Simazine to follow at or soon after planting.

Will mostly do existing food plot areas.....and some extensions around these plots that are good staging and bedding areas. May experiment with a few other small areas too....just for the experience for the future.

Still developing an absolute planting plan to make my maze and take advantage of the sun, etc.

I think you can get away with ~6 lbs/acre everywhere and you'll be happy with it.

There was some research done a few years ago from the guys who brought the RC line to market where they skipped every other row with the planter. I think it was supposed to limit the "lodging" switch does when it gets snowed on. Might be worth looking into in your region, that would be my biggest concern for your property.
You can read more about it on "switchgrass for habitat" forums on Facebook I believe.

 

[Foggy47]

I think you can get away with ~6 lbs/acre everywhere and you'll be happy with it.

There was some research done a few years ago from the guys who brought the RC line to market where they skipped every other row with the planter. I think it was supposed to limit the "lodging" switch does when it gets snowed on. Might be worth looking into in your region, that would be my biggest concern for your property.
You can read more about it on "switchgrass for habitat" forums on Facebook I believe.

Yep, been spending quite a bit of time reading on the Switchgrass for Habitat Facebook site. it has some good information.....from people that are up to date on Switch. Been pretty helpful.

Some of the trouble for me has been sorting out the old ideas on Switch from the new RC varieties......and some of the advice on the You Tube videos can steer you wrong....and have conflicting ideas. Kinda like switching between CNBC News and FOX News.....lots of "disinformation". Grin.

 

[T-Max]

You hit on something very important I think. As they move into these new improved varieties, at some point they need to start talking about seeds/acre instead of pounds/acre. Big difference like you mentioned.

I hadn’t realized their different varieties carried different seed sizes. I thought they were all bigger than CIR. Chippewa is the variety I think you were looking for. I’m borderline big rock or tecumseh so I went with both for variety. Excited to see if I can make it work this time.


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[T-Max]

Will do an application of Roundup and 2-4D in May.....and follow with a second application of Roundup a few weeks later at seed time....as well as an application of Simazine to follow at or soon after planting.

Do you or anyone here happen to know if you can tank mix Simazine and roundup for that last application? Label will probably tell me, but didn’t know if anyone here has first hand experience.


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[Foggy47]

You hit on something very important I think. As they move into these new improved varieties, at some point they need to start talking about seeds/acre instead of pounds/acre. Big difference like you mentioned.

I hadn’t realized their different varieties carried different seed sizes. I thought they were all bigger than CIR. Chippewa is the variety I think you were looking for. I’m borderline big rock or tecumseh so I went with both for variety. Excited to see if I can make it work this time.


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Yep....you read my "intent" on the Chippewa variety. I bought quite a bit of seed....all in 5 lb packs.....so it's easy to put into my drill...and watch what happens on an acre by acre basis when I drill seed. I am intent on doing this right....as the cost of prep, seed, herbicides is significant....and if you screw it up you loose allot of time to correct the issues. Of course, at the end of the day, it's all weather dependent.

I want to dig a bit deeper into that seed size issue. It really could be a significant planting difference when drilling only 5 or 6 lbs / acre.

 

[Foggy47]

Do you or anyone here happen to know if you can tank mix Simazine and roundup for that last application? Label will probably tell me, but didn’t know if anyone here has first hand experience.


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I was told to do a separate application. (Roger Sampson) ....and that is what I will do.