2003 Spring Planting - Update
 

I thought some of you might see how this winter' s plans have started to shape up into a real planting. In the two pictures - all thats plowed will be corn, we are in the middle of planting it right now.

The " Maze" that you see in the pictures, has been our answer to " what to do with a 15 acre+ square field. The corn offers food, and security for feeding deer in and out of season. This is the most complex mosaic we' ve done yet, but the plan is to rotate the smaller sections of the large field to take best advantage of cover, and stand sites for hunting (like the stand the picture is out of). In the pictures you can see that we' ve left several green field plots in tact. We left Green road ways into each one through the corn, so we can mow, and or maintain the plots (all clover right now).

As this plot system develops I' ll keep you all updated. We have an 8 acre plot we' re " upgrading" this year as well.

RE: 2003 Spring Planting - Update
 

Here' s a quick picture of the other field (8acres) we work. Again, plowed is all corn - planted today.

the section in the foreground is Cereal Rye, a section just above the rye, is 1/2 acre of red clover - as is the 1-1/2 acre plot in the distance.

As of now Spring Planting is 2/3 done.

RE: 2003 Spring Planting - Update
 

Farmhunter,
That looks like a good stand of clover, and you will be pleased with that red Clover.My plot is in its second year. It' s planted next to Ladino white. The white is covered with blooms, but the red has been grazed so hard there is very few blooms. The monitor cage shows red over 2 feet tall, the field is only 6-8 inches. It may not have as much protein as the White, but they are eating much more of the red to make up for it.
Russ

RE: 2003 Spring Planting - Update
 

farm hunter; it looks great, but how can you afford to plant so much. I hope the local sportsman associations are kicking something in.

Dan O.

RE: 2003 Spring Planting - Update
 

Dan, its not as expensive as it' d seem.

This year - not counting Gas & Time - we have $380 in seed, & fertilizer. There' s some expense associated with the tractor, but we' d have that any how (old, very paid for tractor).

The gas probably totals a couple hundred in the end. You cannot count our time. So with six hunters- splitting the expenses, we end up with MUCH less than you' d pay to lease a few hundred acres, with no food plots.

RE: 2003 Spring Planting - Update
 

Beautiful pictures. At first I wondered with all that corn you plant....year round nutrition, etc...but now it all makes sense.

I wish I had that many acres in one spot to plant my own design:)

Great idea!

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan

RE: 2003 Spring Planting - Update
 

Farm,

Looks great. Our plots were just getting going last week I had a bout an 1/8" of growth from Alfa-Rack (trying that this year), the beans and the corn were just starting to crack.

It' s exciting for me.

Makes me wonder what all the baiters are doing this time of the year. :)