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No Till Food Plots - So Easy

at1010

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Body size -

I cannot tell you how many deer I’ve looked at and weighed over the years. What I can tell you, in my experience, there is a very close relationship between body size and age.

Over the years I’ve known many guys to shoot an immature buck and say “he had a huge body”. Typically weighing in the 150-160 dressed category.

Remember- most bucks are going to look big bodied when you have to exert energy to drag them out! However, when you see a mature buck on the hoof, there is no mistaking the body size difference between that and an adolescent deer.

Lastly - the rack size is not always representative of anything other than that particulars deers genetic expression. So if you want to harvest deer based on age, in my experience, look at rack size last.

This post is simply for educational purposes. Please shoot whatever makes you happy!!

Get outside and enjoy the outdoors.
 

at1010

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Almost Christmas 🎄
High dpsm farm
Deer are still piling into the carbon load!!

With the warm ups in temps - the clovers and grains will “pop” and allow for deer and soil to continue to be fed. The high quality forage brassicas also continue to handle unprecedented browse pressure.

Thanks to all our followers and friends.

Get outside and enjoy the outdoors!!

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at1010

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Best part of the seed business is making friends. This video update comes from a great customer and friend who is just tickled with the food, despite the very high dpsm in his area.

 

at1010

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As many seasons come to an end- this is a great time to take inventory of bucks that made it through the season and get a general idea of deer densities. Good quality food-plots can help with both of these goals, not to mention continuing to feed deer until Spring (that’s the goal!!).

I always like check-
1. How the plots are holding up? Key here is exclusion fences - as we’ve discussed so many times before but I feel it’s of critical importance. Also assess natural browse pressure in clear cut or hinge cut areas - is there anything left?
2. How can I plan for an even better next year (more food plots? More doe harvest? More tsi work? Stricter buck age requirements on farm? All the above?)
3. When and how will you soil sample this year? Do you have a plan of attack? What type of test? Have you considered marking your soil test locations with gps - to reduce variables in testing? This can lead to much more consistency in results
4. Plan for shed season! Use that time to scout. Find bucks that made it. Enjoy getting into those areas of the farm, you otherwise would not enter.

Most importantly - when you get outside, enjoy the outdoors!!

Enjoy the WINS you had in 2023 and enjoy the planning process for next year. We at Vitalize Seed know you have a lot of options and that’s why we appreciate every one of you!!

Wishing you all a safe and blessed last few days of 2023!

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at1010

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Should you take advantage of that free manure you have access to? Maybe! First, let’s do a manure analysis.

 

at1010

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We love venison and everyone who follows this page knows we have plenty this year. One great Christmas gift was a dehydrator from my father in law! This is being used to make huge patches of jerky while the family and I recover from a bad bout with a cold. Wishing you all a safe and blessed New Year! What’s your favorite jerky recipe?!
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at1010

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Anyone ever seen anything like this? I believe this buck is 5 years old. I’ve had pics of him a couple years. He holds velvet late into year - before he sheds some of it. Testicular injury? Antlered Doe? What do yall think?!

One thing is for sure - he ain’t starving and regardless of “score” he will be top on list next year. That large bodied deer will consume a lot of forage that could otherwise be ate by a high potential 2 or 3 year old.
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at1010

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its absolutely a huge part of the picture! One of my mentors is a large agronomist in the SE. growing large bu/acre corn on sandy soils (tough).

With tissue analysis, overlapping the data with soil tests, and then understanding how to manage fertility thereafter, is a huge advantage.

I love seeing articles like one you shared - thanks man!!
 
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5Cent

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North Central Ohio
its absolutely a huge part of the picture! One of my mentors is a large agronomist in the SE. growing large bu/acre corn on sandy soils (tough).

With tissue analysis, overlapping the data with soil tests, and then understanding how to manage fertility thereafter, is a huge advantage.

I love seeing articles like one you shared - thanks man!!

Live to Farm has been decent, good reviews on PhycoTerra this season.Cardinal Farms is running alot of strip-till and seeing success.

 
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at1010

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Live to Farm has been decent, good reviews on PhycoTerra this season.Cardinal Farms is running alot of strip-till and seeing success.

I’ll check this out! I never even heard of it!! Thanks man! So many great resources!
 
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at1010

*Supporting Member*
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An amazing and blessed 2023!!

Thankful for our customers and friends

Thankful for our families that allow us to enjoy our passions of managing the farms

Thankful for all those who listen to our videos and posts

Thankful to for opportunity to drive interest in soil health

Thankful for our ability to give back to charities and conservation organizations - this isn’t possible without you all!!

We had a season that will be hard to beat, thanks to our Vitalize Seed food-plots and a little luck!

We will continue to increase plantable acreage, manage does harvest, and heavily manage timber on the farm. All three are of critical importance to if you want to grow healthy and big deer.

Most importantly- if you use Vitalize Seed or not- We appreciate you all and this amazing country that allows to chase,enjoy and share our passions.

Wishing you all a safe and blessed New Years! Please get home safe if you go out and celebrate.