|
|
Post by Bwoods11 on Oct 23, 2017 9:12:54 GMT -6
What do you guys think of alfalfa as a big part of food plot plan. How many acres is ideal on say an 80 acre parcel... I see lots of positives, and if the neighbor is looking for alfalfa, easy management.  |
|
|
|
Post by biglakebass on Oct 23, 2017 9:15:07 GMT -6
I love hunting over alfalfa for sure.
If you have someone to manage it(plant it, cut and bale it) then I would do it over clover in many cases. Saves me time and effort on planting and mowing clover and getting a very similar benefit.
|
|
|
|
Post by smsmith on Oct 23, 2017 9:16:46 GMT -6
I've been looking at local alfalfa fields. It seems that many are going dormant/browning up already...is that the norm?
|
|
|
|
Post by riggs on Oct 23, 2017 9:22:04 GMT -6
It should be a huge part of the plan. Deer will key in on these alfalfa fields up until corn starts coming out which this year will be a big deal. Alfalfa in a private area will hold a lot of deer both does as well as young bucks. Which leads to solid numbers going into the rut. I'm cutting back on winter food to some extent next year and adding 2-3 acre alfalfa/clover.
|
|
|
|
Post by kabic on Oct 23, 2017 9:23:15 GMT -6
My experience has been it is a good draw when my Father-in-Law rotates to it in his field when it is green, and especially after it is baled and starting to grow again. I see a lot of summer usage on it, and get a good amount of game camera pictures on it.
The issues I have is by the time our November gun hunt rolls around it is no longer growing and attracting deer.
For the early bow season and MN earlier gun season it may still be a draw. If your looking just to feed deer and not necessary care about hunting it then go ahead and plant it.
|
|
|
|
Post by terrifictom on Oct 23, 2017 9:28:56 GMT -6
Pros: Big draw for spring, summer and early fall
Cons: Can easily be froze out in northern winters especially if there is a lack of snow. You can not replant back to back, have to rotate a different crop for a couple years.
|
|
|
|
Post by Freeborn on Oct 23, 2017 10:08:24 GMT -6
I have a 1/4 acre strip of alfalfa/clover mix next to my corn and soybeans and I like it for filling in times where my corn or soybeans won't feed deer. During summer soybeans easily out-draw my alfalfa/clover mix but early season or when beans start to yellow the deer like the green of alfalfa. I walked my fields this weekend and with some frost damage the alfalfa does not look nearly as good but deer are still browsing the lush areas where there is better moisture.
If you don't hunt late season (gun season and later in MN) alfalfa could be your primary food source.
|
|
|
|
Post by jbird on Oct 23, 2017 10:39:18 GMT -6
Alfalfa needs better soil conditions than clover in general. That is why the foodplot seed industry is some heavily clover based - because of its adaptability. IF you have the soil conditions and the like and IF you can get someone to manage it for you - go for it. I will agree that at least here it is grows well in the spring and summer and early fall, but once fall really sets in - it has gone dormant and fairly useless at that point. I planted some years ago and won;t do it again simply because clover is just much easier to work with.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sandbur on Oct 23, 2017 11:09:52 GMT -6
Does and fawns are on the alfalfa every morning and evening. Two does and four fawns were on this field this morning. One lone deer was on the bean stubble  |
|
|
|
Post by Sandbur on Oct 23, 2017 11:11:26 GMT -6
My neighbor has an alfalfa field next to a pine plantation/wintering area. End of last years rifle season he sat there and saw 80 deer on the field.
|
|
|
|
Post by biglakebass on Oct 23, 2017 11:17:45 GMT -6
My neighbor has an alfalfa field next to a pine plantation/wintering area. End of last years rifle season he sat there and saw 80 deer on the field. I hope you never told Murk that.  |
|
|
|
Post by Bwoods11 on Oct 23, 2017 11:44:07 GMT -6
So far I've been real happy with alfalfa. Nice mix in relation to corn/beans. I like that a guy can get some rent off the field if neighbor wants it!
|
|
|
|
Post by Sandbur on Oct 23, 2017 11:57:16 GMT -6
My neighbor has an alfalfa field next to a pine plantation/wintering area. End of last years rifle season he sat there and saw 80 deer on the field. I hope you never told Murk that. He is now in land acquisition. |
|
|
|
Post by benmnwi on Oct 23, 2017 12:35:50 GMT -6
land acquisition?
How many bucks were in that group of 80 deer by the end of rifle season? That's really impressive.
|
|
|
|
Post by smsmith on Oct 23, 2017 12:39:15 GMT -6
land acquisition? How many bucks were in that group of 80 deer by the end of rifle season? That's really impressive. Murkowski was laterally transferred |
|
