Never tried rapeseed before but am impressed

[No-Tox]

I can't remember the exact percentage of rape that was within the plot mix I got to put out this year. I know it wasn't the biggest percentage, but it sure has come in better than anything else. We didn't get our usual October rains so the food plot isn't as thick as it typically is. I've done brassicas 2 seasons ago and deer never touched them. Looking forward to see if they like the rape this season.

 

[35-acre]

If I'm not mistaken the won't hit it hard until after a frost. Ever get the feeling that you've forgotten more than you actually know? LOL.

 

[Nightvision]

Looks great. From what others say, as soon as they learn to eat them it will be hard to grow them.

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

I quit planting rape years ago. The deer just didn't hit it for me. For me it's a high percentage of radish. Although this year they haven't been on the radish greens much. We do have a decent acorn crop though so...

 

[cavey]

I think it often comes down to the desired flavor of the day for deer. I did a canola/rape mix - 1st year they pounded it, never got to set starch post frost, constantly browsed almost to the dirt; next year the same mix, same field, same deer (mostly) and they never touched it.

It matured wilted and then rotted in the field ,,,

go figure?

 

[Bassattackr]

I quit planting rape years ago. The deer just didn't hit it for me. For me it's a high percentage of radish. Although this year they haven't been on the radish greens much. We do have a decent acorn crop though so...

Same.. I have some evidence of browse here and there, but very little overall. First year of radish on the farm however.





Oats and Wheat are a different story..

FWIW - Rape is a big ingredient in the FF Big and Beasty, and people always post how great that mix is..

 

[ruskbucks]

Plot looks good. I would suggest planting a few different brassicas in your next plot. I have noticed with dwarf Essex rape that they don't wait for a frost, start hitting it right away. Raddish also, but they seem to recover well and keep growing. Most of the others they won't hit too hard till a frost. I love brassica in northern WI, by planting a blend of rape, kale, raddish, turnip, and a few other brassica we have a plot that they hit hard through hunting season and a while after. Every spring the brassica are completely gone, eaten to the dirt.

 

[swat1018]

I plant radish/turnip mixes. I find they like the radish tops best, and the deeper tap root is better in dry times. The turnip greens and rape are similar, and you get a bulb on turnips.

 

[ruskbucks]

I grabbed a putt out of my field last weekend. The deer are hitting the bulbs hard already. The tops haven't seen much browsing, but the kale and rape are getting hit. I've also noticed they like the raddish tops and bottoms earlier that the others.

 

[TreeDaddy]

I have planted the paul knox PTT/daikon radish/ dwarf essex rape combo several times

Beautiful plots

Unfortunately, deer wont touch them here in east texas

However, we love to cook the PTT greens and bulbs for camp meals

bill

 

[Peeps]

I tried brassicas one year and didn’t think they germinated until I found huge bulbs growing inside my tree cages. The deer mowed the tops off as soon as they sprouted. Granted that was coming out of a very severe winter and I’m in the north woods with no crop fields close. That summer they also busted into my garden and ate my tomato plants to the stems. They were hungry.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I quit planting rape years ago. The deer just didn't hit it for me. For me it's a high percentage of radish. Although this year they haven't been on the radish greens much. We do have a decent acorn crop though so...

Acorns keep them off our greens as much too. Fatty calories in those acorns. After our acorns get eaten or begin to rot, the greens become a fast food buffet. Deer like Dwarf Essex Rape here, along with radishes and turnips.

Plot pics look great!

 

[No-Tox]

Food plot continues to come along and you can tell the difference with the rape planted this year. I didn't think there was that much rape seed in the mix but it sure has a lot of growth.
Deer aren't hitting it but also I don't have many deer on my property. The farmer with around 1,000 acres decided to plant soybeans this year and I'm sure the deer are just loving it versus what I have to offer.

 

[Bassattackr]

No-Tox, don't draw conclusions just yet.. Wait a couple weeks after his beans are out.

 

[No-Tox]

No-Tox, don't draw conclusions just yet.. Wait a couple weeks after his beans are out.

They harvested last week but there are still some spots that were too wet to harvest that are still standing. Need to sit on the levee between our properties one morning to see if the deer are feeding there.