Herbicide or not
06-27-2004, 10:01 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,572
RE: Herbicide or not
I found this in a document by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources regarding wildlife food plots:
Food plots consisting of mixtures of grains can be broadcast and then very lightly disked and/or cultipacked to cover the seed. Pure corn food plots do best if drilled in rows. Pure sorghum food plots can be broadcast or drilled; however, the broadcast method requires a higher seeding rate and a light disking to cover the seed. Don’t use herbicides or excessivecultivation on food plots. Annual weeds such as foxtail, common ragweed, lamb’s-quarters, and barnyard grass will produce additional seed and cover in the wildlife food plot.
I can add that herbicides can drastically change the vegetation structure of the application area. It may also be residual in the soil and may hamper whatever you plant. My advice would be to not use it. For one thing, when herbicides change vegetation structure and height, it may be detrimental to alot of wildlife that rely on insects for food. Since changing vegetation means insects can be reduced or not as available. This is especially hard on young ground-living birds like turkeys because young turkeys,grouse, quail etc rely on insects for food. So by changing the vegetation you risk forcing young birds to forage longer and farther which exposes them to increased predation.
Hope this helps.
Food plots consisting of mixtures of grains can be broadcast and then very lightly disked and/or cultipacked to cover the seed. Pure corn food plots do best if drilled in rows. Pure sorghum food plots can be broadcast or drilled; however, the broadcast method requires a higher seeding rate and a light disking to cover the seed. Don’t use herbicides or excessivecultivation on food plots. Annual weeds such as foxtail, common ragweed, lamb’s-quarters, and barnyard grass will produce additional seed and cover in the wildlife food plot.
I can add that herbicides can drastically change the vegetation structure of the application area. It may also be residual in the soil and may hamper whatever you plant. My advice would be to not use it. For one thing, when herbicides change vegetation structure and height, it may be detrimental to alot of wildlife that rely on insects for food. Since changing vegetation means insects can be reduced or not as available. This is especially hard on young ground-living birds like turkeys because young turkeys,grouse, quail etc rely on insects for food. So by changing the vegetation you risk forcing young birds to forage longer and farther which exposes them to increased predation.
Hope this helps.
06-28-2004, 02:22 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Walnut MS USA
Posts: 871
RE: Herbicide or not
If what they say about Glyphosates is true, there will be no residue. I also beleive that an acre or so in a food plot won't affect the food sources for turkeys, quail, etc. It may be a problem where a person is doing 100's of acres, but most of us don't live in Texas. My 4-quarter acre plots is a drop in the bucket on my little 100+ acre farm. And that is about the size for most of us on this board. Different locales call for different applications.
Russ
Russ
06-28-2004, 04:47 PM
#5
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 277
RE: Herbicide or not
We are talking Glyphosate. The land is pretty much just managed for game with a small homestead area. I hunt alot of organic farms and just like the idea when it comes to eating venison. I will probably go "organic" next year.
06-28-2004, 06:29 PM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,572
RE: Herbicide or not
ORIGINAL: Russ otten
If what they say about Glyphosates is true, there will be no residue. I also beleive that an acre or so in a food plot won't affect the food sources for turkeys, quail, etc. It may be a problem where a person is doing 100's of acres, but most of us don't live in Texas. My 4-quarter acre plots is a drop in the bucket on my little 100+ acre farm. And that is about the size for most of us on this board. Different locales call for different applications.
Russ
If what they say about Glyphosates is true, there will be no residue. I also beleive that an acre or so in a food plot won't affect the food sources for turkeys, quail, etc. It may be a problem where a person is doing 100's of acres, but most of us don't live in Texas. My 4-quarter acre plots is a drop in the bucket on my little 100+ acre farm. And that is about the size for most of us on this board. Different locales call for different applications.
Russ
06-29-2004, 08:58 AM
#7
Fork Horn
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location:
Posts: 119
RE: Herbicide or not
BA, there are many times where herbicides can be benefical to food plots. If you spray before seeding, it kills out existing vegetation making it easier to establish a quality plot. If you spray after germination you can extend the lifespan of a plot by reducing the competition.
According to articles I've read some perennial plots have lasted 5-6 years when grasses were controlled by applying herbicides and adjacent non-treated fields lasted 2-3 years.
That's two good reasons to use herbicides. Not, as you say, "necessary" but they certainly make common sense.
According to articles I've read some perennial plots have lasted 5-6 years when grasses were controlled by applying herbicides and adjacent non-treated fields lasted 2-3 years.
That's two good reasons to use herbicides. Not, as you say, "necessary" but they certainly make common sense.
06-29-2004, 09:18 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,572
RE: Herbicide or not
ORIGINAL: PopGunWill
BA, there are many times where herbicides can be benefical to food plots. If you spray before seeding, it kills out existing vegetation making it easier to establish a quality plot. If you spray after germination you can extend the lifespan of a plot by reducing the competition.
BA, there are many times where herbicides can be benefical to food plots. If you spray before seeding, it kills out existing vegetation making it easier to establish a quality plot. If you spray after germination you can extend the lifespan of a plot by reducing the competition.
ORIGINAL: PopGunWill
According to articles I've read some perennial plots have lasted 5-6 years when grasses were controlled by applying herbicides and adjacent non-treated fields lasted 2-3 years.
That's two good reasons to use herbicides. Not, as you say, "necessary" but they certainly make common sense.
According to articles I've read some perennial plots have lasted 5-6 years when grasses were controlled by applying herbicides and adjacent non-treated fields lasted 2-3 years.
That's two good reasons to use herbicides. Not, as you say, "necessary" but they certainly make common sense.
06-29-2004, 11:49 AM
#9
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location:
Posts: 51
RE: Herbicide or not
Herbicides are not necessary but are benificial in many cases. Remember they are just a tool to help improve your crop. And I should add they are nothing to be afraid of if used according to directions. It has been our experience that without them we have never raised a thing. We probably could if we wanted to invest in a cultivator plus a lot of other expensive equipment. But that is hard to do for just a few acres of food plots.
In other words, if you have a problem that herbicides or pesticides will help correct, use them responsibly. There is no danger from them when used correctly but can be a big reward in the outcome of your project.
Ezzy
In other words, if you have a problem that herbicides or pesticides will help correct, use them responsibly. There is no danger from them when used correctly but can be a big reward in the outcome of your project.
Ezzy
06-29-2004, 05:27 PM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,572
RE: Herbicide or not
ORIGINAL: Ezzy333
There is no danger from them when used correctly but can be a big reward in the outcome of your project.
Ezzy
There is no danger from them when used correctly but can be a big reward in the outcome of your project.
Ezzy