planting food plots

[edmonson]

Hey guys i've got a 20acre field setting next to a tree line with another strip of field that is about 5acres going into the woods, i'm getting ready to start on my food plots and was wondering what you all thought would be the best route to go. I'm leaning toward planting the larger field in clover, and the smaller strip in beans or wheat and oats, anyone know what contains the most protein, or what grows the best in our area.

Fear Nothing, Hunt everything

[Multidigits]

25 acres is a lot. You sure they're that big. If they are, I'd probably go the other way. Put the big one in cowpeas, turnips or some other annual, depending if your wanting to draw turkeys too or just deer. The smaller patch is fine for clover. Maybe plant the edge with peas or something different. The clover will need to be mowed maybe 3 times during the year, and will require some maintanace in the form of lime and fert. This much acerage is going to require some good equipment, or you'll need to borrow something to do it. It's too much to do with ATVs or hand tools.

[P. Beyer]

[:0] 25 acres! WoW,..... And I was dreading doing 3 acres with a atv & hand tools! It seems like a 20 acre clover field would be alot to maintain. I'm with Multi on switching sides for the plots. Sounds like you'll have a honeyhole though!

Good luck!

"It makes no difference whether I got anything; it has to do with how the day was spent"

Fred Bear

[GSP]

Something you may want to consider if you don't have the equipment. Talk to a local farmer. See if he would be willing to provide the equipment in exchange for the hay. If he can get two good cuttings of hay off 25 acres he my jump on it. Offer to buy the seed and fertilizer. It's a win-win. You get your land established will little work and not much $$. You may want to offer him a 3-4 year deal.

[Multidigits]

Didn't work out for me, and I tried. Last year, it was hard to find anyone to even cut it for cash. Everybody had plenty of hay, and rain came during the first cutting season. All these things play a factor. I ended up paying $8 a bale to have mine put up. Last year, you couldn't sell hay, cause nobody was buying. Depends on the season.

[perrymax]

With that kind of acreage I'd let somebody grow corn or soybeans on it.Deer and turkey would love that and you wouldn't have to do as much work.Then I'd plant 3 acres of ladino clover.