fertilizer for no-till food plots

[Drycreek]

I didn't establish the price for drilling my two acres of food plots. I was sent an invoice for $650/Acre. This seems high for SE Ohio (Meig's county, OH). I paid since I didn't agree on a rate but I this is why I will convert to clover plot next year. What would you consider a standard rate?

This is the reason that I neither own or rent a drill. I just can’t justify the cost for a few food plots. I’d like to but I can’t. I saw a rather inexpensive drill talked about on another forum and I looked it up. Less than $7K for a 6’ drill, three point hitch. If it’s quality, that’s a really good deal. I admit I looked at it pretty hard, but I didn’t try to find any reviews. All of them that I saw for sale were a good ways from me. This isn’t farmland and drills are few and far between.

 

[RGrizzzz]

This is the reason that I neither own or rent a drill. I just can’t justify the cost for a few food plots. I’d like to but I can’t. I saw a rather inexpensive drill talked about on another forum and I looked it up. Less than $7K for a 6’ drill, three point hitch. If it’s quality, that’s a relly good deal. I admit I looked at it pretty hard, but I didn’t try to find any reviews. All of them that I saw for sale were a good ways from me. This isn’t farmland and drills are few and far between.

The OP's price got me thinking. While $650 seems high, it's probably not horribly unrealistic. It's likely very inefficient to drill ONLY 2.5 acres. Let's think about costs.

Seed cost
Seed purchasing time
Travel time (load/unload/mileage)
Drill calibration - two custom blends will take time to dial in
Planting time
+whatever I'm forgetting

You've likely paid for half a days worth of labor, even though it's likely quick to plant such a small area.

You don't have to go with only clover. Look into the throw and mow process talked about here and elsewhere.

 

[ansayre]

Thanks. The travel time was in addition to the cost per acre and I provided the seed. The drill time was about 3 hours. What is the name of the thread for the throw and mow process?

 

[RGrizzzz]

 

[cutman]

$650 an acre is highway robbery.