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Post by kooch on May 29, 2021 21:02:17 GMT -6
Sandbur recommended Birdsfoot Treefoil a while ago as a hardy, long lived food plot component. I think he likes it mixed with red clover. This is for a far north big woods plot. The literature says it takes a couple years to really come on strong. I planted this in the far North end of my “skinny plot”, which has now been opened up significantly. The new opening is still just dirt. The previously planted part is green and lush already. It’s a mixture of trefoil, alsike and medium red clovers, with some natural reseeding of fixation balansa too, plus some grass and other weeds, some thistle. Behold, the beauty of Norcen Birdsfoot Trefoil.
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Post by kooch on May 29, 2021 21:08:19 GMT -6
The jury is still out on this one with respect to deer actually eating it. Last summer this part of my plot was dominated by the Fixation Balansa and other clover, as well as a thick stand of oats. This will be the first year with what looks like it’s going to be a good stand of trefoil.
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Post by sd51555 on May 29, 2021 22:19:27 GMT -6
It would be super if it’s a third or fourth choice and it makes it to November.
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Post by MoBuckChaser on May 30, 2021 6:22:31 GMT -6
At $250/50lbs, it eliminates most food plotters from using it even if deer do use it. Just sayin.
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Post by smsmith on May 30, 2021 9:59:16 GMT -6
50 lbs of BFT would plant a number of acres, wouldn't it?
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Post by nhmountains on May 30, 2021 10:42:52 GMT -6
50 lbs of BFT would plant a number of acres, wouldn't it? 5-8 pounds per acre solo or 3-5 in a mix. I bought 5# last year from Welter. I’m willing to throw $30 at seed for a plot but, wouldn’t spring for $250. Bruce Birdsfoot Trefoil is a newer, non-bloating trefoil with superior seedling vigor, good regrowth after grazing, very good winter-hardiness and superior spring growth. Bruce was noted as superior in establishement, regrowth and production yield over several other varieties in Wyoming forage trials. The trials also noted that in some years trefoil was comparable in forage yield and quality to alfalfa, showing its potential to be grazed or used as a hay crop without fear of bloat.
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Post by kooch on May 30, 2021 15:38:35 GMT -6
It may be expensive seed but once it is established it’ll last almost forever. Think of it as an investment in the future.
I don’t think I’ll add more right now. I’ll wait and see what happens with the small amount I have now. Guys around me are starting to plot more now too so I will have competition. And the days of just having “something green” in the fall and drawing deer may be over.
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Post by MoBuckChaser on May 30, 2021 16:42:45 GMT -6
50 lbs of BFT would plant a number of acres, wouldn't it? yep, about 7 acres. But being in this game for a long time, when you tell a food plotter BFT is $5-$6 lb, chicory is $7-$8lb, Alfalfa and clover are $2-$4lb, 90% of the time they buy the later. Just most guys nature when it comes to seed for food plots.
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Post by sd51555 on May 30, 2021 19:00:39 GMT -6
I'm excited to have it coming up this year. I don't know what to expect on my place, but I'd bet my deer have the same tastes as Kooch's. When it comes to perennials, costs don't deter me. I may pull back on the rate, but I won't let it stop me from planting it. That is true for all but chicory. I think I'm going to go alarmingly high on chicory in one of my blends this year. My spoils plot is booming with chicory right now, and I think that's the key to getting that smear fibered up if cereal grains can't get it done.
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Post by kooch on May 31, 2021 14:11:53 GMT -6
I'm excited to have it coming up this year. I don't know what to expect on my place, but I'd bet my deer have the same tastes as Kooch's. When it comes to perennials, costs don't deter me. I may pull back on the rate, but I won't let it stop me from planting it. That is true for all but chicory. I think I'm going to go alarmingly high on chicory in one of my blends this year. My spoils plot is booming with chicory right now, and I think that's the key to getting that smear fibered up if cereal grains can't get it done. How'd that Chicory coffee work out for you?
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Post by Catscratch on May 31, 2021 14:22:47 GMT -6
I'm excited to have it coming up this year. I don't know what to expect on my place, but I'd bet my deer have the same tastes as Kooch's. When it comes to perennials, costs don't deter me. I may pull back on the rate, but I won't let it stop me from planting it. That is true for all but chicory. I think I'm going to go alarmingly high on chicory in one of my blends this year. My spoils plot is booming with chicory right now, and I think that's the key to getting that smear fibered up if cereal grains can't get it done. How'd that Chicory coffee work out for you? Make some chicory coffee? I've considered trying it hit haven't yet. This thread got me to read up on the trefoil some. I have a rancher buddy who loves the pasture he seeded into it. Have never asked him if he sees deer in it. Lots of internet reading says deer only like it when other food is sparse, particularly during the heat of summer. I'm all about filling the gaps, might just be the perfect addition.
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Post by sd51555 on May 31, 2021 14:23:20 GMT -6
I'm excited to have it coming up this year. I don't know what to expect on my place, but I'd bet my deer have the same tastes as Kooch's. When it comes to perennials, costs don't deter me. I may pull back on the rate, but I won't let it stop me from planting it. That is true for all but chicory. I think I'm going to go alarmingly high on chicory in one of my blends this year. My spoils plot is booming with chicory right now, and I think that's the key to getting that smear fibered up if cereal grains can't get it done. How'd that Chicory coffee work out for you? Would be better if they didn't cut it with extra dark decaf.
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Post by kooch on Jun 18, 2021 14:42:56 GMT -6
I haven't been around koochville in a couple of weeks, but down here in Burnsville, the trefoil is one of the only things thriving in this drought. I walk around a pond, and there is a lot of dry dormant stuff, then pretty green trefoil with little yellow flowers just growing away.
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Post by sd51555 on Jun 18, 2021 15:07:53 GMT -6
I haven't been around koochville in a couple of weeks, but down here in Burnsville, the trefoil is one of the only things thriving in this drought. I walk around a pond, and there is a lot of dry dormant stuff, then pretty green trefoil with little yellow flowers just growing away. I’ve got the same coming up in the driveway. Haven’t seen any in the plot yet. High and dry there like a damn blast furnace.
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Post by kooch on Jun 18, 2021 15:34:14 GMT -6
Yep. Right in front of my shabin in the gravel, I’ve got Alsike and trefoil that grows. I think I planted it with my boots. It’s right where I step up on to the porch.
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