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Why we use Sudan and Sorghum in our NitroBoost.
No Till Food Plots - So Easy
- Thread starter at1010
- Start date
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I love this time of year. The deer are almost always head down in the NitroBoost. We are monitoring bucks. Monitoring browse pressure on plots and TSI. Getting general ideas of fawn recruitment, and making plans for Fall planting!!
Once Fall planting is done, we will have many discussions on next years projects, harvest quotas, and ways we can continue to improve our soil, habitat and wildlife habitat.
Once Fall planting is done, we will have many discussions on next years projects, harvest quotas, and ways we can continue to improve our soil, habitat and wildlife habitat.
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Nobody likes using chemicals, but if you need to - here are some quick tips to maximize their effectiveness.
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Little foliar treatment on the tomatoes last night!!
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We are always thinking about deer and one key we emphasize is the importance of observation, both of exclusion fences and the native browse species.
Observationally, I’ve noticed more twin fawns this year than any year before. I suspect this is due to a lot of the heavy TSI we’ve done - combined with maximizing our foodplot average and biomass for the deer.
We don’t just stop at this observation. We can use this data to highlight our continued efforts to manage deer densities. As we’ve harvested does, and made habitat better - deer numbers increase through better nutrition and fawn recruitment.
From fawns to antler growth to doe weights post birth - there are so many observations we can take this time of year that will help us analyze if our improvements are working or how they ought to be adjusted.
Have a great Saturday!
-Al
Observationally, I’ve noticed more twin fawns this year than any year before. I suspect this is due to a lot of the heavy TSI we’ve done - combined with maximizing our foodplot average and biomass for the deer.
We don’t just stop at this observation. We can use this data to highlight our continued efforts to manage deer densities. As we’ve harvested does, and made habitat better - deer numbers increase through better nutrition and fawn recruitment.
From fawns to antler growth to doe weights post birth - there are so many observations we can take this time of year that will help us analyze if our improvements are working or how they ought to be adjusted.
Have a great Saturday!
-Al
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Adding chicory to the fall carbon load has continued to pay off. Here is a few plants that have been mowed 2x. These are in my garden and they are on my walking trails “living mulch”. These combined with the inter-seeded NitroBoost - we are slowing working on breaking up that deeper compaction.
Combined all these with a good mycorrhizal network, and we’ll really be “cookin with peanut oil”!
Combined all these with a good mycorrhizal network, and we’ll really be “cookin with peanut oil”!
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We had a hard time seeing deer albeit had good bucks on camera from time to time.
For the last decade and a half - I’ve poured my heart and soul into this farm. We’ve been blessed to harvest several good bucks, timber, plenty of does and acquired more land along the way.
From the planting of 40+acres in Foodplots a year and tons of trees as well to the killing of invasives species to feeling the rhythm of a sthl 291 - The farm has turnaround!
One can witness this from the beagles bellows as they chase bunnies through prime habitat we’ve created. To occasionally flushing a grouse. To the Tom strutting in Spring. To seeing the deer numbers increase to the point we need to manage them. From this I know we are leaving it better than we found it.
To some these are just pictures of deer. To me this represents years of work and dedication. None of which could be achievable with our great friends and family.
My passion for wildlife, soils and nature is as pure as the day is long.
Get outside and enjoy the outdoors!
Thanks for reading.
Albert
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Roller crimper update -
So far the crimper plots continue to feed deer. They are absolutely behind compared to plots where herbicide was used - if we are only measuring specifies and above ground biomass.
I cannot say I’ve noticed any decrease in deer activity in the crimped plots due to weed pressure. Deer are in them constantly and feeding on “weeds” and our Nitro-boost”.
All in all - I’m happy with results and I am looking forward to continuing to use a crimper to help reduce herbicide use.
I would still be interested in doing a side by side comparison of crimping vs. flail mowing or bush hogging. I’ve done smaller scale examples this year with mowing and I suspect it would be equally as good as the crimped plots on a larger scale - specifically for deer plots.
Most importantly- never stop learning. Enjoy the outdoors and be safe!
-Al
So far the crimper plots continue to feed deer. They are absolutely behind compared to plots where herbicide was used - if we are only measuring specifies and above ground biomass.
I cannot say I’ve noticed any decrease in deer activity in the crimped plots due to weed pressure. Deer are in them constantly and feeding on “weeds” and our Nitro-boost”.
All in all - I’m happy with results and I am looking forward to continuing to use a crimper to help reduce herbicide use.
I would still be interested in doing a side by side comparison of crimping vs. flail mowing or bush hogging. I’ve done smaller scale examples this year with mowing and I suspect it would be equally as good as the crimped plots on a larger scale - specifically for deer plots.
Most importantly- never stop learning. Enjoy the outdoors and be safe!
-Al
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Here is another crimped field.
Overall it’s preforming very well.
Feeding a ton of deer.
Piles of clover, beans, buckwheat, Sudan, etc. are visible.
I’ll take a closer look here come Fall plant and decide if I want to crimp, mow or spray to continue cycling our nutrients from one crop mix to the next in the 1-2 system.
Overall it’s preforming very well.
Feeding a ton of deer.
Piles of clover, beans, buckwheat, Sudan, etc. are visible.
I’ll take a closer look here come Fall plant and decide if I want to crimp, mow or spray to continue cycling our nutrients from one crop mix to the next in the 1-2 system.
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NitroBoost Testimonial:
As a small business owner - there are some very hard days. One must become calloused and stay hyper focused on offering the best customer service and products available.
When I get a text like this - it makes every minute of this journey so worth it.
We don’t have customers at Vitalize Seed - we have friends. Jared and I cannot thank you all for the continued support and friendship!
Have a safe and blessed Fall.
-Al
As a small business owner - there are some very hard days. One must become calloused and stay hyper focused on offering the best customer service and products available.
When I get a text like this - it makes every minute of this journey so worth it.
We don’t have customers at Vitalize Seed - we have friends. Jared and I cannot thank you all for the continued support and friendship!
Have a safe and blessed Fall.
-Al