Turkey and Foul Food Plots. Checkout our facebook page

Transcription

1 Turkey and Foul Food Plots Garrett Coleman, CCA Forage Agronomist Checkout our facebook page 1

2 Food or Cover Birds needs nesting area and food sources Most are grain crops that birds like best Getting these grains to maturity is hard May need fencing to keep deer out Millets Handle variable soils Ducks Love Japanese Millet Pearl Millet 2

3 Sorghum Also known as Milo Grain crop used in cheerios and to make malasses Corn BMR 84 Greenleaf Corn 50 lb bag Plant in rows 1 bag to 2.5 acres Low ear set Turkey and Geese, like seedling Untreated 3

4 Small Grains Spring Ok on somewhat poorly drained ground Handles lower ph, like 5.5 Great introductory crop to get a plot established Need sun Primarily Oats Spring Triticale gaining popularity Small Grains Spring Barley, Oats, Triticale Plant them up to 1 in deep, early spring Get the weeds controlled before you plant them and let them out grow them Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer at planting, i.e. 200 lbs/ac of Triple 15 Use a grain oat, barley for turkeys 4

5 Buck Chew 32% Preferred Forage Oats 30% Triticale 20% Barley 15% Enhancer Italian Ryegrass 3% Crimson Clover A quick growing mix of small grains, high sugar ryegrass, and Crimson Clover Great option for first year plot. Buckwheat Handles tough ground but likes well drained Plant 4 th of July Plant 1 2 deep Plant 50 lbs per acre Will respond to fertilizer Grain set 60 days after planting 5

6 195 GT1 Soybeans 6

7 Glyphosate Tolerant We know have Glyphosate Tolerant bean Plant at 1.5 bags per acre Plant 1 inch deep Excellent dual-purpose grain or forage Tall bean with lots of pods 195 GT1 Soybeans Late fall pods will shatter dropping beans so the birds can get them 7

8 Soybeans Deer love them. Biggest Problem overgrazed and kill them early Woodchucks eat them too Insects like them Turkey s will graze the insects Will eat beans when drop Provides early to mid summer grazing if get established Good feed when young Will only eat the leaves when old Soybeans Prefer well drained soils with a high ph 6.5 or better Fertilize with N if put on lower ph soils Likes full sun 2X Inoculate the seed, small packages available 8

9 Soybeans Plant ½ to 1 deep, big seed that needs covered Plant into warm soils Late May, early June Roundup Ready grain type beans available but should not be used in food plots May need to fence them off to get established Chufa Same as yellow nutsedge lots around natively Nut at the base of the plant Turkey eat the nut Likes wet soils 9

10 Turkey like Clovers and Legumes Attract tons of bugs Red Clovers Medium Type Upright growth high yields Crimson Clover Short lived, hardy Berseem Clover Annual quick growing, does not handle drought well White Clovers Ladino Palatable, more upright than other white clovers White Lower growing better spreading via stolons Red Clovers Medium Type Upright growth high yields Crimson Clover Short lived, hardy Quick growing Should winter kill Was cheap now more expensive 10

11 Game Bird Buffet Great Cover and Feed 25% Grain Sorghum (Milo) 25% Dwarf Sunflower 20% Japanese Millet 15% Dwarf Corn 15% Buckwheat Seed at 20 lbs/acre in late spring Add a balanced fertilizer Agronomy Behind Food Plots Garrett Coleman, CCA Forage Agronomist 11

12 Starts with a Seedling Keys to starting Good seed to soil contact Sun and Water Remember Sun Get it to take off Fertility Weed control All comes from the Soil Soil Type and Texture know what you have Soil maps online- Web Soil Survey Page.htm Soil Testing 12

13 Soils Soils 13

14 Soil Sampling Sample to your tillage depth (go to 6 inches) if you don t know. Minimum of 30 cores per sample submitted or 10 cores/acre Mix cores in a bucket Air dry them and send into the lab Soil Sample Results Soil ph Lime Recommendation Fertilizer Recommendation N-P-K N = Protein Feeding the soil will feed the deer Sample Kits available 14

15 In the field testing Cornell Soil ph test Kit Available at your local extension office $15 each Will quickly give you a liming recommendation No fertilizer recommendation Soil ph is the most important High precipitation leaches Ca and Mg leaving Acidic soils in NY Some exceptions of high ph soils in NY Low ph ties up nutrients Want to maintain our plot ph at 6.5 to 7.0 Requires consistent liming in to maintain Legumes require high ph for N fixation 15

16 Liming Virgin soil will require more lime than you can apply in one season Apply a maximum of 2 tons/acre per application Patients, will require multiple years of application Recommendations based on 100 ENV Equivalent Neutralizing Value Lime Types Ag Lime, has to have an ENV number ENV takes into account Fineness (affects reaction time) and Purity Pelletized lime finer ground reacts more quickly, (not more potent) Easier to spread with small equipment 16

17 Application Rate Soil Test Recommends 2 tons/acre of 100% ENV lime The feed mill has 83% ENV lime available Divide 100 / available lime ENV 100/83 = 1.2 Multiply 1.2 X 2 tons/ac = 2.4 tons/acre Apply 2.4 tons/acre of the 83% ENV lime Fertilize The Soil Avoid putting N on Legumes Stimulates weeds Spread fertilizer and seeds at a half rate in two directions for even coverage 17

18 Understanding Fertilizer Nitrogen Phosphate Potash Triple % in mix, so if you put 100 lbs/acre of Triple 15 you put down 15 lbs of Nitrogen, 15 lbs of Phosphate, and 15 lbs of Potash Don t worry about being off a few lbs of one nutrient or the other Weed Control Most Important Weed Control Start early Will require multiple applications Wait 3 days after spraying before tilling for Glyphosate Using annuals work best for first time plots 18

19 Weed Control Perennial weeds are easiest to kill in the fall when sinking root reserves Spray mid September with a mix of Glyphosate and 2,4 D 2,4-D can t plant broadleaf crops into it for at least 8 weeks so don t use in the spring Spring will require two apps. Clipping or Mowing Can be done to control annual weeds in perennial plots, like clover plots Good to clip if gets ahead of the deer New re-growth is more palatable 19

20 Soil Prep Start with clean area, weed free Seed to Soil Contact Use what you have Old disc or drags, tow with your truck or garden tractor Spin Spreader Roller Micro Plots use hand tools Rake up debris loosen the top soil Soil Prep Goal Smooth level seed bed Consider working in two directions 45º angles Add leveling boards or chains last pass 20

21 Soil Prep Firm your seed bed Burying seed to deep is the biggest reason for failure Micro Plots Done with hand tools Sprayer Hand Rake Spreader Chain Saw Weed eater Make Sure you have sunlight Brassicas don t like shade Oats, Rye, and some clover or chicory can handle slight shade 21

22 Planting Seed Be careful using Till and Plant Equipment Often bury seed Broadcasting can work well Drills can work well but understand how to set them up Seeding Depths and Rates Check our chart The smaller the seed the shallower it should be planted Alfalfa, Clover, Chicory, Grass Seed ¼ deep Small Grains Rye, Wheat, Oats, Peas ¾ Brassicas ¼ ½ deep 22

23 Mixes work best Diverse mixes improve performance across area However mix compatible species Example: Brassicas with slow growing perennials don t mix. Match life cycles and seeding times Consider weed control Grasses in a broadleaf mix and vise-versa Plot Location Rule #1 Sun, Sun, Sun Clear Cut areas Old Hay Fields Logging Roads Pond banks Don t be afraid to try something 23

24 Intensive Plot Managment Garrett Coleman, CCA Forage Agronomist (716) Perennial Species Most Clovers, Alfalfa, cool season grasses Grow multiple years Requires less establishment labor, but more maintenance fertility. Annual Species Oats, Winter Rye, Wheat, Corn Soybeans, Brassicas Grow one year, or part of two years (winter grains) Requires more seeding labor, but less maintenance fertility. 24

25 Seeding Times Spring Seeding (April and May) Clover, Alfalfa, Chicory, Grasses, Oats Summer Seeding (July to August 1st) Brassicas, Buckwheat Late Summer Seeding (August 1 st -15 th ) Clover, Alfalfa, Chicory, Grasses Fall Seeding (August 15 October 10 th ) Winter Rye and Winter Wheat, Austrian Winter Peas, Winter Triticale Forage Production Through the Year Need multiple plots to feed through year Multiple Species 25

26 Year 1 March April May June July August September Soil Test and lime all plots Spread Lime again if needed Plot 1 Seed Buck Chew Mow Buck Chew Seed Forage Feast Brassica Plot 2 Plant Soybeans Plant Winter Triticale Plot 3 Mow Plot Frost Seed Clover Mow Clover and Grass Plot 4 Plant Game Bird Buffet Froze ground easy to spread on Year 2 March April May June July August September Plot 1 Plant Soybeans Plant Winter Triticale with Austrian Winter Pea Plot 2 Frost Seed Clover into the Winter Triticale Mow Triticale clover growing Top Dress Clover Fertilizer Plot 3 Mow Clover and Grass Spray with Glyphosate Kill Plot Plot 4 Seed Buck Chew Mow Buck Chew Seed Brassica and Crimson Clover 26

27 Frost Seeding Improves Stand Yield and Quality Timing and weather is everything Lot of luck Keys to success Remove existing forage Mob graze or mow short Drag Mat Keep stand grazed short Establishment Frost seeding More reliable than we thought Virginia Tech Study Compares frost seeding with no-till drilling into an existing stand Frost seeded Feb 2009 No-Till Drilled March 2009 Grazed heavy in spring 27

28 Results Both methods worked to establish Red and White Clover into an existing grass pasture 8 lbs/acre of clover seeded 4 lbs Red, 2 lbs White, 2 lbs Ladino Frost seeding established more plants earlier 11/sq ft vs 6/sq ft for no-till drilling in spring By August both methods had similar yield and stand counts 15% of total forage yield, about 2.5 tons DM/acre Significant Increase Frost Seeding Excellent to establish clover Good for Orchardgrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Italian Ryegrass, and Festulolium Pasture Refresher mix great for horse or livestock meadows Don t forget to fertilize 28

29 Red Clovers Medium Type Upright growth high yields Crimson Clover Short lived, hardy Berseem Clover Annual quick growing, does not handle drought well Clovers White Clovers Ladino Palatable, more upright than other white clovers White Lower growing better spreading via stolons Red Clovers Medium Type Upright growth high yields Crimson Clover Short lived, hardy Quick growing Should winter kill Was cheap now more expensive 29

30 Deer Love Clover More digestible than alfalfa More undegradable protein Survives ensiling Bypass protein Handles more variable soils When do deer utilize Clover? Early Spring through mid summer High protein, moderate energy levels Great building block forage Handles drought fairly well 30

31 Clover Placement Moderately well drained to well drained soils Will handle some wet ness but not a lot Need full sun High ph soils Timing Clover Seeding Frost Seeding late winter early spring (March) Only into established stands Spring Seeding Perennial (April and May) Late Summer Seeding (August 1 st -15 th ) Plant shallow don t bury seed to deep only ¼ 3/8, or broadcast and pack on the surface Seed bed should be firm 2X inoculate 31

32 Clover Management Starts out easy being frost seeded Can be seeded under forage oats Weed control, erosion control Clip out annual weeds Broadleaf weeds are hard to control with spray Clip to keep the forage fresh, new growth Spray out grasses pretty easy in clover Clover Management Maintain ph Lime the year before planting, then annually Maintain Potash levels N-P-K (Potash is K) Overseed annually Old farmers would say the key to a long lived clover plot is frost seeding every year. Clovers are only 2 or 3 year life cycle in the northeast 32

33 Big Buck Clover Mix 45% Jumbo Ladino Clover 25% Wildcate Red Clover 20% Ivory 2 White Clover 10% Oasis Forage Chicory Palatable perennial mix, keep the ph up and top dress with or similar Alfalfa Needs very well drained soils Gravels is about the only place in northeast Needs higher ph then clover Handles drought better than anything else Desert plant Management the same as clover generally Feed quality is good but not necessarily better then clover 33

34 Chicory Highly palatable perennial forage Place in a mix, with clover works best Prefers moderate to well drained soils Chicory Seeding Small seed only spread on surface in a firm seed bed Works best planted in spring (April or May) 34

35 Chicory Management Clip to avoid bolting Shoot with head on it Fertilize like alfalfa or clover, along with 35 lbs of N per harvest (3 times a year) Early spring growth excellent quality, very palatable Deer graze spring to mid summer Peas Field Peas Quick growing Winter Kill Work well with oats Austrian Winter Peas Over winter good to mix with small grains Summer seeded need good soil coverage for germination 35

36 Perennial Grasses Placement Handles variable soils Persistent and easy to manage Planting Time Sow in spring, April or May Sow in Fall August to Mid September Perennial Grasses Fertilize every spring with a balanced fertilizer, like Triple 15, Fertilize again early summer (June) after you clip it with Nitrogen fertilizer, such as Urea or Ammonium Sulfate Protein content will be affected by N fertilizer 36

37 Perennial Grasses Clip every month and keep new growth coming Graze spring to early summer, than again in early fall There are a lot of grass fields to compete with To attract deer, other species work better Poor conditions at least you have something growing Wildlife Meadow Mix 30% Jumbo Ladino Clover 30% Medium Red Clover 15% Alsike Clover 10% Creeping Red Fescue 10% Duo Festulolium 5% Crown Royale Orchardgrass Good for poorer soils and cover as well as feed. Can handle partial shade. 37

38 Annual Grasses Enhancer Italian Ryegrass Higher Sugar Content Increased gain on cows Very Palatable 38

39 Utilize farmer fields Corn Maybe buy an acre of standing corn to leave for the season Deer will hit late in the year, during hunting season Needs full sun, high fertility, does not perform well in most deer plots Forage Soybeans Prefer well drained soils with a high ph 6.5 or better Fertilize with N if put on lower ph soils Likes full sun 2X Inoculate the seed, small packages available 39

40 Forage Soybeans Plant ½ to 1 deep, big seed that needs covered Plant into warm soils Late May, early June Roundup Ready grain type beans available but should not be used in food plots May need to fence them off to get established Forage Soybeans Deer love them. Biggest Problem overgrazed and kill the Provides early to mid summer grazing if get established Good feed when young Will only eat the leaves when old Field Peas essentially the same management except you plant early spring in cooler soils 40

41 Deer Grazing Spring Grains Graze them when they are young By mid summer will avoid them May come back and get the grain if left out Can plant forage oats in the fall, but they all will die in the first cold spell 41

42 Small Grains - Winter Winter Wheat, Winter Rye, Winter Triticale Like well drained ground but will grow on poor ground with low ph, Don t like have wet feet going into fall Planting Small Grains - Winter Plant early September Sow ½ to 1 deep Plant at a heavy rate lbs/acre Fertilize at planting with a balanced fertilizer 42

43 Management Winter Small Grains Top dress in early spring with 50 units of N right after green up Spray with 2,4-D or Dicamba to clean up broadleaves in the spring If it heads on you mow it and move onto something else Works well to rotate to brassicas the first year or seed clover in late summer Grazing Winter Small Grains Deer graze late fall or early winter and then again in early spring. When it gets mature and starts heading they will not eat it Mowing after it heads will leave volunteer grains coming in May attracted turkeys Can also mix winter grains with Austrian Winter Peas, tend to attract deer better. 43

44 Brassicas Place on well drained soils with good fertility Need sun Works best planted mid-summer (July August 15 th) Early plantings don t promote tuber growth or fall feeding Brassicas Seeding Spray or work the ground to get rid of all existing vegetation Broadcast or drill shallow, only ¼ ½ deep Cultipack seed in Incorporate fertilizer at planting, 100 lbs/acre of Triple 15, and 100 lbs/acre of Urea, or 200 lbs/acre of

45 Nitrogen Fert. No Nitrogen Diakon Forage Radish Cover Crop Use Break up Ground Great for new plots Graze tops dig tubers Plant in August Penetrator Radish Groundhog Radish 45

46 Brassica Feeding Will feed on the tops until the tubers freeze Tops are one of the few things growing fresh in late summer Late fall they will dig roots and tubers after they freeze 46

47 Summer, Fall, & Winter Forage Feast 40% Dwarf Essex Forage Rape 15% Hobson Forage Rape 15% Bonar Forage Rape 9% Appin Turnip 9% Pasja Hybrid Turnip 6% Maris Kestrel Kale 6% Caledonian Kale Excellent for a kill plot, annual seed mid to late summer most popular mix, graze tops dig bottoms 47

48 Balanced Approach KFF Keep Food Fresh Always have a fresh food source Mow clover and grass stands on a regular basis to promote new growth Multiple plots work better than one monoculture Mixed Cover Penetrator Radish with Crimson Clover Seed 17 lbs/acre 5 lbs radish 12 lbs clover 48

49 Thank you 49