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Williams Creek Farm of SW Iowa

Found the mix we seeded. Lots of diversity. Seeing a few come through…
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Zoomed in…
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Yesterday, I toured our farm after we've had a lot of rain the past few weeks. I'm excited to see how my experiment with the organic corn is looking. But I'm pretty bummed about our summer food plots. Here's some pics.

As mentioned in another thread--I flushed the first quail on our farm right next to the QuailSafe CRP. Here's where it was dusting itself:
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Failed Milo plot that is a part of the CRP program:
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Organic (non-GMO) corn is looking nice. At first I was concerned because there was no ears. But in talking with a good farmer friend, he said the ears won't show up until it starts tasseling. I have lived in corn country my entire life--how did I not know that?!? :-)
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This is a first year clover plot. I posted in another clover thread about my debacle... LOTS of weeds (pigweed, I think?). Earlier there was a lot of volunteer soybeans coming up with the clover and oats, so I haven't touched it. Was planning to mow, but am concerned it would smother the clover. Roller crimp? Right now I plan to do nothing and see what it looks like next spring.
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We got 7" of rain a few weeks ago, and it flipped our bridge over. I knew I should have had two cables instead of one. Should be salvable, though. :-(
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I had 3 plots where I drilled a summer mix that seems like it completely failed. Only grass growing up. I'm glad we can recover for our fall plantings here soon. :-)
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I can't tell for sure, but that may be waterhemp and not pigweed in your clover plot. Either way, I'd mow it right away before it chokes out your clover. The residue might smother some of the clover, but the clover might fill back in once it gets sunlight. I mowed some 6' tall rye that left a thick layer of thatch and the clover underneath worked its way through the junk.
 
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Got 4ac fall foodplots drilled in today and yesterday.
- GC Fall Release
- brassicas
- clover/brassica mix

Good chance of rain tonight.

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The clover / alfalfa plot we put in last year is looking the best any of our clover has done…
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The other timber plot, however, I failed completely. Sprayed 3 weeks ago with cleth and 2,4Db and added 1/2 dose of gly—which was a mistake. Torched everything. So started from scratch tonight. Sometimes learn the hard way!

Keeping an eye out for the invasive sericea lespedeza. Last year had good success using MSM60. Will treat when it starts flowering.

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The clover / alfalfa plot we put in last year is looking the best any of our clover has done…
Our best plot ever was a mix of red clover and alfalfa. Deer around camp never had it so good. Thick and lush for 3 years before the alfalfa started to thin out. We also planted that plot right around Labor Day weekend. The following spring it was off to the races. Good luck with all your plantings!
 
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Thanks, [mention]Bowsnbucks [/mention] !


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I’m 100% convinced that deer are not attracted to today’s hybrid corn. The past few years, we’ve had the farmer leave some standing, and it was crickets in late season winter.

This year, I bought a bag of organic corn from the farmer renter (he’s a seed dealer). With a recent snow, the deer are absolutely hammering day and night.

Compared to two other places on the farm where we left the farmers corn stand, and it isn’t near the traffic.

We see the same thing in the beans we have the farmer leave. Next year, will try some non-treated beans to see if any different.

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I’m 100% convinced that deer are not attracted to today’s hybrid corn. The past few years, we’ve had the farmer leave some standing, and it was crickets in late season winter.

This year, I bought a bag of organic corn from the farmer renter (he’s a seed dealer). With a recent snow, the deer are absolutely hammering day and night.

Compared to two other places on the farm where we left the farmers corn stand, and it isn’t near the traffic.

We see the same thing in the beans we have the farmer leave. Next year, will try some non-treated beans to see if any different.

cd6a06e2986972b8e8cd8cd9b001c70c.jpg


b205f7937f57d220edecd96873294614.jpg

da429246e29674060c57bcccbde0cdea.jpg



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That is super fascinating. I have heard many make that same claim/observation. I honestly was a bit skeptical but it does seem many say that is the case. I have listened to the same about Alfalfa. I am curious how much it is impacted by the area/location. For example, we dont have any corn fields near our farm, I suspect if I planted corn, the deer would destroy it. However, in an area where corn is abundant, they can be more particular.
 
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