Upstate Obsession

[Elkaddict]

Yea, always use RR corn and beans. I rake last years reside up, disc in lime/fertilizer, broadcast seed, disc in lightly, and cultipack. The hardest part is keeping the openers small enough such that it takes 4 passes to get the seed evenly spread. I plant a third of bag of corn and soy beans each per acre. Yes, this is heavy, but the turkey and geese pull up lots of sprouts to get to the seed. The beans are mostly to give the corn a chance. Most will be nipped to the ground in early stages. I’d guess 80% of the beans don’t survive.

 

[farmhunter]

we have the same issues with geese. Last year i parked my tractor and a wagon down further in the middle of the plot when it sprouted and the geese didn't like landing with that there. the turkeys still hit it hard - This year I forgot about that and man the geese got more than 1/2 my corn sprouts!!

 

[Elkaddict]

Made it upstate to get some chores done. As previously noted, our best chicory/clover plot was creamed this year so we decided to start over. Although it was heavily limed 4 years ago with ph that started in the 4s, lots of lime was and continues to be required. Yesterday we spread 7 tons of ag lime with the fertilizer spreader. I thought I’d post some pics for those without access to a lime buggy.

It’s rained so much this summer, the lime pile never had a chance to dry out. That made even coverage an impossibility. When dry, the arms throw it far enough to get decent coverage. Not possible when it’s this damp as the sliding floor moves way too much material. I limed in strips with 8 or 10’ between rows. I then disced 90 degrees to the rows to spread it out. Far from uniform, but the best I can do with the equipment I have. I get the bulk ag lime delivered ($850 for 16ton vs. $4 per 40lb bag of pellet lime). And no, it not possible to rent a lime buggy or get a local coop back into my plots to lime them.

 

[Elkaddict]

The above plot is adjacent to immediately adjacent to substantial hinge cut/bedding cover. The bucks are heading back through the disced up plot to bed.

 

[Elkaddict]

This the brassica plot that is badly overrun with weed that are choking out 1/2 of of the plot. Still, it and the adjacent clover plot is getting used.

 

[Elkaddict]

Clover in the foreground, alfalfa strip on right, brassicas on left, corn all the way back. Beautiful day upstate with a high of 73

 

[lakngolf]

Great to see some green. Early Sept I hope to plant some turnip and radish

 

[Chainsaw]

View attachment 16627 Clover in the foreground, alfalfa strip on right, brassicas on left, corn all the way back. Beautiful day upstate with a high of 73

WHY DO WE LIVE HERE? Your picture says it all. Great shot Tom!

 

[Elkaddict]

Thanks Dave. While the downstate politics and stupid tax burden could well drive me out, this is where we’d like to spend the rest of our days. That’s comes from someone who lived in the Rockies for 25 years. Interesting thing is my kids are looking like they all want to stay in the northeast as well. My oldest lives in Harlem and works for one of the big four accounting firms. He spends 1/2 of his weekends upstate with us. The fishing, ATVs, and peace and quiet get him through the work week. The other 2 want to stay in the area for the same reasons: economic opportunities with an escape 3 hours away.

 

[rusty1034]

View attachment 16627 Clover in the foreground, alfalfa strip on right, brassicas on left, corn all the way back. Beautiful day upstate with a high of 73

I’ve seen golf courses that don’t look that good !


Sent from my iPad using Deer Hunter Forum

 

[farmhunter]

Beautifully lush this summer - your property looks great. So hard to get the soil up to 6.0 - it just takes forever on some soils. I feel you pain with the wet lime - will be interesting if you notice the heavy limed strips outperforming the rest.

 

[Elkaddict]

I think it here will be no difference this fall. Indeed, I can imagine fall plantings being negatively impacted by too little soil contact/soil nutrients. Of course, as the lime starts to take effect, it will change for the better. Damp ag lime sucks....but I’ll be happy a year from now.

 

[Chummer]

Everything is looking good, I love seeing fat deer. I really appreciate the 3.5 year old 4 point. I specialize in those.

 

[Elkaddict]

Chummer, I’ll arrow him if I get the chance, don’t care to have those genetics around. Another one our 4pts genes is wide, tall and spindly—arrows and will fly and the muzzle loader will belch smoke if I see either. They’ll probably get a pass from me until the last day of rifle. Got my eye on a 5yr old I’ve passed 2 years in a row....

 

[Elkaddict]

I’ve complained about marginal germination of alfalfa. I will say that it none the less has proven a real draw. Deer walk through perfect clover plots to focus on the alfalfa. I’m interested to see if the draw continues into late fall.

 

[Elkaddict]

Deer have really started to hit the apples....fortunately, we have a bunch this year

 

[farmhunter]

nice - time to move the cameras to apple trees.

 

[Elkaddict]

Got upstate for the long weekend. I got the last of my fall lots in (triticale, rye, oats, ladino clover, chicory and some GHR). It feels good to have it done.

I got this plot planted 6 days ago. Even with the grain disced in, its already 3”, and deer are already on it.

 

[Elkaddict]

I got a decent picture of my target buck. I’ve passed him 2 years in a row....he’s in trouble this year. I believe he’s 51/2.

 

[Elkaddict]

Here are some other miscellaneous pics.