Upstate Obsession

5B7D2D43-329F-4BDB-98C8-374A62A90FB2.jpeg 643F3E2E-CA64-4138-BE13-CBEA9B9A1FC9.jpeg Time for an update. I took the week off to catch up on some chores. I rented an excavator to put in 3 20’ culverts, enlarge some ditches and to dig a grave for our dog with cancer. I also got 31/2 acres of Winfred Brassicas/Rutabagas in. I’ll put in another 21/2 acres of brassicas the next couple weeks.
 
F6E84944-23F9-42C8-841B-E318458230B8.jpeg I put in 4+ acres of corn in last month. It’s coming along. Broadcasting results are always unpredictable. The deer annihilated the beans as soon as they sprouted but have largely left the corn alone. With average rain and atypical acorn production (we’ve had more than that), the corn and brassicas should keep the deer well fed through the winter.
 
8CF08CB4-E1FE-4FF5-B4CC-EE787A89B0AE.jpeg 7B6B3F07-FB8A-4FD9-BB2F-DC2C57A727DA.jpeg This plot has traditionally been our best clover plot. Unfortunately, we lost 3/4 of the clover. I’m going to replant Labor Day with a jumbo ladino/chicory mix and a cover crop of triticale. I plan to disc in several tons of ag lime before hand. A quarter of the plot is at 6.2ph while the balance is 5.7. The production difference is quite noticeable even after 4 years of plotting and 4 tons of lime. It takes a lot of effort to convert former forest into productive land with our acidic soils.
 
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119589AA-F12A-4552-BEBC-6AA7DDAD7A99.jpeg I planted this alfalfa last fall and it’s still filling in surprisingly. I’m going to overseed it heavily in the morning and mow it (we’re forecast to get a 1/2” of rain tomorrow afternoon). The deer spend more time picking at it than they do the adjoining clover plots. I’m hoping it will be a strong draw this fall. I’ve read it it doesn’t overseed well....I guess I’ll see what happens.
 
View attachment 16296 I planted this alfalfa last fall and it’s still filling in surprisingly. I’m going to overseed it heavily in the morning and mow it (we’re forecast to get a 1/2” of rain tomorrow afternoon). The deer spend more time picking at it than they do the adjoining clover plots. I’m hoping it will be a strong draw this fall. I’ve read it it doesn’t overseed well....I guess I’ll see what happens.

In my experience the alfalfa won’t let the new alfalfa grow . I usually top seed grain into the patches


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Dave,
I’m not sure. The plot was already thinning. I tried to knock grass back and it seemed Raptor burned it.... The biggest surprise has been the lack of new growth. The plot had been heavily overseeded with both white and red clover. In the end, I think a reboot is in order. I’m tempted to try to plant 1/2 the next couple weeks and the balance over Labor Day. I know it will mean increased weeds but I’m trying to salvage the spot for 10/1 bow opener. Yea, I know my lack of patience is a problem....:)

Matt,
I’ve read the same thing about overseeing alfalfa. If it fails, I’ll not do it again. Even a 25% germination rate would make it worth the effort. It’s interesting to me that the plot continues to improve. In some areas, I had great germination but little to no winter survival. The areas that have improved had little germination last fall. It’s almost as if the seed needed 9 months to do its thing.
 
I think you have the right idea by putting a bunch more lime on that clover plot. I’ve had that happen on woods plots. Just keep putting the lime to it.
 
Looking forward to seeing your brassica plots come along!!

I cannot grow Alfalfa for what its worth. Just cant get the Ph to stay - will take so many tons of lime. I get good results with other plots, and most clover does well enough.
 
EF0A1D2B-077D-47E1-A31E-A9C58033B524.jpeg I’ve hit the plot hard with lime. The alfalfa is hanging on though some shows some yellowing. Critters are hitting it hard.
 
371E7CEE-1BB3-40EC-A6E6-9CA3655306D3.jpeg Time for a brassica update, the good, bad and ugly..... First the the good: this is a 11/2 acre Rutabaga/Winfred plot. Lil thin in places, a lil heavy in other. I have high expectations. You can see a strip of alfalfa to the right.
 
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A5E6F761-0899-4C8B-951D-67EFA9F4CC71.jpeg This a 21/2 acre Rutabaga/Winfred plot that has always come in nearly weed free We always fight a lil grass but nothing significant). As you can see, it’s got some broadleaf competition. Still, it’s attracting deer already.
 
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16C6C70F-9AE3-4726-B131-B9A0931D260A.jpeg 41E4B8AC-7E48-46FE-965C-B459CDA3F39E.jpeg 1F6CC57D-0546-4E92-94A6-CDAA06CD65D7.jpeg And for the truly ugly. This 1/2 plot has always been a rockstar. We planted Rutabaga/Winfred following the same process we always have. We got decent germination and things looked great 2 weeks ago. I was stunned to see half the plot has been taken over by this broadleaf. I’m at a loss as to both the cause and any cure. If the weeds continue to grow in height, I may give the wick bar a try? Any thoughts or suggestions? I’m not even sure what the weed is. The seed was new and I mixed it myself. I’m particularly surprised at how completely it’s overtaken this usually reliable plot. I’m not at all happy with the out come and have actually thought about terminating the plot and planting clover/chicory/triticale.
 
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