My deer seem to not like grains.

rthr-b-hntg · Oct 3, 2019

Every time I plant grains or have them in a blend they seem to get ignored by the deer. Tried again this. Here is a pic of a plot (blend) where the grains (wheat and rye) are 5ft tall turnips and other brassicas in it too . Is this an issue or normal? In upstate NY.

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OkieKubota · Oct 3, 2019

Planted too soon...you planted when deer had plenty of natural food. Brassicas can be planted as early as July but you should wait to introduce the grains until the end of August or beginning of September. I see yours have gone to seed so they have been out quite some time and have not overwintered as they should. They should go into winter 4 6” tall to be palatable... oats you can plant earlier because they die with winter unlike Rye Grain and Wheat...

MarkDarvin · Oct 3, 2019

That must be just spring wheat you’ve got there. Rye would not be headed out and still green. To have a true test, plant a late maturing oat 6-8 weeks before frost. It will bring big tonnage and stay edible going into the cool season.

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OkieKubota · Oct 3, 2019

MarkDarvin said:
That must be just spring wheat you’ve got there. Rye would not be headed out and still green. To have a true test, plant a late maturing oat 6-8 weeks before frost. It will bring big tonnage and stay edible going into the cool season.

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Mark, I have planted WR in April and had it head out before fall...

wsucoug · Oct 3, 2019

OkieKubota said:
Mark, I have planted WR in April and had it head out before fall...

I have planted winter grains in early may and had it head out. I just figured either two things:

1. We had some cold weather roll through and frost the new plants a few times. May frost is quite common around here.

2. The seed had been stored outside over the previous winter and vernalized.

Either way, I plant oats in May sometimes to follow an empty brassicas field and I don't think I have ever had a single leaf nibbled on all summer long. On the contrary I have planted in August and the plot looked like a putting green it was mowed so low.

Timing matters...

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MarkDarvin · Oct 3, 2019

wsucoug said:
I have planted winter grains in early may and had it head out. I just figured either two things:

1. We had some cold weather roll through and frost the new plants a few times. May frost is quite common around here.

2. The seed had been stored outside over the previous winter and vernalized.

Either way, I plant oats in May sometimes to follow an empty brassicas field and I don't think I have ever had a single leaf nibbled on all summer long. On the contrary I have planted in August and the plot looked like a putting green it was mowed so low.

Timing matters...

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Timing does matter. Switch out those spring oats for forage barley. Game changer.

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rthr-b-hntg · Oct 3, 2019

Thanks this was planted all at once July 20th. Was thinking more about the brassicas and when they work best by me.

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Creek chub · Oct 3, 2019

MarkDarvin said:
Timing does matter. Switch out those spring oats for forage barley. Game changer.

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Are you planting barley in the fall or spring?

Elkaddict · Oct 3, 2019

I’m in the northern Catskills and we’ve learned that Labor Day is perfect for grains. You can throw some radish in which will be eaten but they won’t have time to grow any tubers of note. Tuesday night, I had 30+ deer in an our Labor Day planted plot (triticale/oats/clover/chicory/radish). I’ve never observed anything but turkeys work grain heads. This is the stage deer most enjoy grains.

rthr-b-hntg · Oct 3, 2019

Elkaddict said:
View attachment 17106 I’m in the northern Catskills and we’ve learned that Labor Day is perfect for grains. You can throw some radish in which will be eaten but they won’t have time to grow any tubers of note. Tuesday night, I had 30+ deer in an our Labor Day planted plot (triticale/oats/clover/chicory/radish). I’ve never observed anything but turkeys work grain heads. This is the stage deer most enjoy grains.

Thanks -I’m in northern Catskills as well. Looks like I know what I’m doing next Labor Day.

DRandall90 · Oct 4, 2019

rthr-b-hntg said:
Thanks -I’m in northern Catskills as well. Looks like I know what I’m doing next Labor Day.

You can also go out about 4 weeks earlier and put your brassicas in, then go out labor day and overseed the rye/clover/chicory/triticale in and you will get the tubers and grains. Just make sure your brassica seeding is light.

Chainsaw · Oct 4, 2019

I've mowed mature rye in sept. and had enough seeds germinate to make the plot work. Never did it this late and you get colder earlier than us here. Might be worth a try anyhow.

MarkDarvin · Oct 4, 2019

Creek chub said:
Are you planting barley in the fall or spring?

Spring, soon as the ponding snowmelt is nearly gone in my plot.

My deer seem to not like grains.

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