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Clover fields

giles

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
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The real Amish country
After harvest I noticed a couple farmers planting. I figured it was winter wheat, it isn't, it's some sort of clover. Driving back and forth from NW Ohio to SW Ohio I noticed a high number of these fields. Does anyone know what the nutritional value is or these fields and if deer are feeding on them?

I understand the reason why farmers are doing it, just wondering if wildlife might be benefitting from it also.
 
I've seen a lot of cover crops in NW Ohio this year. Some clover and some rape looking crops.
 
Yup, you guys have a way higher number up that way than we do down here. Some BIG fields too. They sure looked inviting...like giant food plots.
 
Clover is18% protein.
I doubt deer are hitting them too hard but maybe a bit. Don't seem to hit clover in winter.
Most likely just a cover crop to add nitrogen to soil that were once in corn.
 
Lots of farmers are planting radishes for cover crop as well. Most of the fields I've seen have been radishes or at least included radishes in the mix. I'm assuming it's because the deep taproot is a good soil aerator.
 
WTI clover is my go to food plot here in SW. Since it's been so warm this fall the clover is still green and the deer are hitting it. Clover is one of the 1st crops to green up in early spring. Forage oats is a great winter food crop for deer but I lost my oats crop due to a dry spell when I planted it.
So I'm sold on a good deer clover and I feel WTI is the best as it was designed for deer. IMHO
 
MK111 said:
WTI clover is my go to food plot here in SW. Since it's been so warm this fall the clover is still green and the deer are hitting it. Clover is one of the 1st crops to green up in early spring. Forage oats is a great winter food crop for deer but I lost my oats crop due to a dry spell when I planted it.
So I'm sold on a good deer clover and I feel WTI is the best as it was designed for deer. IMHO
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These are not food plots, these are cover crops. I'm just wondering if the deer and other wildlife are getting any nutrition from it. Or is it another GMO type without any nutritional value.
 
jagermeister said:
Lots of farmers are planting radishes for cover crop as well. Most of the fields I've seen have been radishes or at least included radishes in the mix. I'm assuming it's because the deep taproot is a good soil aerator.
Click to expand...

I thought they might be radishes.
 
giles said:
These are not food plots, these are cover crops. I'm just wondering if the deer and other wildlife are getting any nutrition from it. Or is it another GMO type without any nutritional value.
Click to expand...

I understand their not food plots. If it's green the deer are getting good nutrition from it.
 
Beentown said:
Jager is on it. We use radishes and then when spring comes it REEKS!
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I have always heard radishes are used because it pull the nutrients deep in the soil to the top. Is that accurate beentown? Is that why they are used?
 
Really, they do everything. That is why it is beneficial enough to justify the cost, and the smell. Lol

The radish provides soil cover, scavenge nutrients, suppress weeds, and opens up compacted soils. The seed industry (especially Channel) has ramped up production of radish seed, brought new branded products to market, and promoted radish as a cover crop.

Some of them can go 3 feet deep and grow 12 inches round in 60 days.

This is the new cool, organic thing...
 
Beentown said:
Really, they do everything. That is why it is beneficial enough to justify the cost, and the smell. Lol

The radish provides soil cover, scavenge nutrients, suppress weeds, and opens up compacted soils. The seed industry (especially Channel) has ramped up production of radish seed, brought new branded products to market, and promoted radish as a cover crop.

Some of them can go 3 feet deep and grow 12 inches round in 60 days.

This is the new cool, organic thing...
Click to expand...

Yes I have seen some YouTube stuff on that. Thanks for the insight. Cool stuff
 
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