Soybean Protection

[bueller]

Is it worth considering a soybean/buckwheat mix? My thought is the buckwheat if not planted too heavy could provide some shelter for the beans to establish.

 

[Big Snow Man]

Doubt it

 

[swat1018]

Maybe I missed it, but did you say how many acres? There is a point where they won't keep up with the beans, if you have enough.

 

[Peplin Creek]

Is it worth considering a soybean/buckwheat mix? My thought is the buckwheat if not planted too heavy could provide some shelter for the beans to establish.

I actually did this in the spring and then sprayed the plot and planted brassicas. 1/3 acre plot. The buckwheat and soybean mix actually did alright and protected the beans so they weren’t wiped out. Deer were still in it most days though. Not sure you’ll get what your setting out for.

 

[Bill]

Typically not an advocate of Eagle beans because I can't broadcast rye into them early enough for it to amount to much in the fall. I plant a lot of beans so browse doesn't kill me. But if we're talking a small plot, protecting Eagle beans might be worth the extra $. If you can get them going they do grow like crazy.

 

[tynimiller]

Maybe I missed it, but did you say how many acres? There is a point where they won't keep up with the beans, if you have enough.

Approximatley 2 to 2.5 total divided into three main sections with a small "hallway" 5 yards wide connecting two of them.

 

[St. Croix]

Just shoot more does!

 

[Big Snow Man]

I think Bueller was planting a half acre total

 

[NWWI]

Don't waste your time! My fence charger went dead for a couple weeks last summer and it didn't take long for the deer to figure it out. It also didn't take long for them to figure out I fixed it either! Spend the money and insure your crop and hard work are not wasted.

 

[tynimiller]

Don't waste your time! My fence charger went dead for a couple weeks last summer and it didn't take long for the deer to figure it out. It also didn't take long for them to figure out I fixed it either! Spend the money and insure your crop and hard work are not wasted.

Again though "wasted" I bet we differ on. Soybeans are one of the most nutrient dense foods we can offer deer during the summer months...so should it be a failure worst case is I provided amazing browse for the deer in a rather crucial time frame depending on the year weather wise. I view that as a good thing...granted BEST case is they devour the rest, but the fenced area is able to canopy and pod produce due to the experiment "works".

 

[Bill]

Don't waste your time! My fence charger went dead for a couple weeks last summer and it didn't take long for the deer to figure it out. It also didn't take long for them to figure out I fixed it either! Spend the money and insure your crop and hard work are not wasted.

Just curious how long your fence was up before the solar charger went? I had a 3 acre tree/shrub nursery fenced for a couple years. When it finally went it took a while before they figured it out. I was actually glad to see them get in. Was kinda worried conditioning them to stay away for a few years might stick beyond the fence.

 

[NWWI]

Just curious how long your fence was up before the solar charger went? I had a 3 acre tree/shrub nursery fenced for a couple years. When it finally went it took a while before they figured it out. I was actually glad to see them get in. Was kinda worried conditioning them to stay away for a few years might stick beyond the fence.

It was only in a couple weeks old. I bought a brand new solar charger and something went wrong with the battery or charger.

 

[tynimiller]

I have no doubt that should I desperately want beans to pod out and know for sure that will occur E-fence is the way to go...however, not set up for that currently budget wise this year at least...and I'm kinda habitat geeked about just experimenting with not electrifying a fence, but hopefully discourage use. I have realistic goals with it to the point I expect it to fail eventually. The dream would be the deer will avoid the spot sectioned off simply due to I'm giving them the rest of the 3 acres or so to devour down to the ground first....as the area I'll most likely protect will only approach 1/3 to 1/2 an acre.

 

[Wild Thing]

I had the same experience as Yoder with the Plot Saver fence. It worked well initially but when I wasn't able to be around to freshen it up the deer just jumped the fence and devoured my beans. I have since acquired 3 solar chargers (Parmak) and haven't looked back. I use steel T-Posts for the corners and fiberglas line posts every 30'.

Can't get photos to upload here for some reason so I am posting a thread which I posted on the Michigan Sportsman forum a while back that does have some photos in it:

E-Fenced Soybeans

 

[swat1018]

Try Milorganite. It does reasonably well.

 

[Peplin Creek]

Try Milorganite. It does reasonably well.

How long does that stuff work?

 

[swat1018]

How long does that stuff work?

I know guys that say 3 weeks easy, without rain. The guy that told me about it puts it down when the beans start coming up, then two weeks later, and sometimes a third time. He says with his 3 acre plot, once they get that far along the deer don't hurt them enough and he lets them go.

 

[bueller]

I know guys that say 3 weeks easy, without rain. The guy that told me about it puts it down when the beans start coming up, then two weeks later, and sometimes a third time. He says with his 3 acre plot, once they get that far along the deer don't hurt them enough and he lets them go.

Any idea what rate he is applying it?

 

[Fall's Legend]

Four acres, only standing crops in my area. Cold and snow and the deer are still barely using them. Hardly hunted. Rye grain growing amongst the beans. Big disappointment this year!

 

[jsasker007]

I think that without excess acres in beans or electric fence you don't have much of a chance at seeing any bean make it to 10" tall. Once they find the beans it's party over and it will be gone in a hurry. jmho.