I also live in CNY. I planted BFO mid-August last year. It grew extremely well, up to about 12-16 inches before cold weather halted growth. Plants stayed green past the muzzleloader season. I planted one acre next to some turnips, rape, lab lab beans and cowpeas. The deer hitthe BFO very hard during all seasons, even with the other offerings. Once we got some deep snow, they split their time on the turnips and BFO.

BFO has great quailities:Inexpensive, easy to plant, no maintenance, it grows almost anywhere, and the deer love it!

By the way, I tried cowpeas just for the fun of it since it's mainly used further south(I planted in spring). The deer probably hit that the hardest than any other planting. They don't like cold and will die immediately on the first frosty night.