What do you think about this?

tarbaby · 10-07-2005, 11:52 AM

For the past 4yrs I have been hunting on a farmers place that is mostly all crop fields which he always plants either beans or corn in. There is one decent sized creek that runs on his place where the deer use as bedding. One small field... about 7 acres i think always has some problems with the crops due to little fingers of timber that stick out and block some sunlight. I was wondering if it would be worth asking the farmer....who i also worked for for 2yrs.... if I bought enough alfalfa seed to plant that 7acres and if he would plant it and maintain it then he could sell what he cuts off it. Not sure what kinda prices I would be gettin into but its just a thought. The reason for this is that every year it seems once the crops are cut about the first week of october there is less deer movement. Last year I had spotted a 160"-170" monster before season but once the bean field he was hangin out in was cut.... not a sign of him anywhere. Just wondering what you all think of it. Would it be worth it for me...and the farmer?

lostiniowa · 10-07-2005, 11:57 AM

worth a try!

**dogdoc** · 10-07-2005, 12:46 PM

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Would it be worth it for me...and the farmer

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I doubt it. The reason is alfalfa is an extremely picky plant to grow. It may take him a couple years just to get the soil quality up enough to even plant alfalfa. Alfalfa requires a pH very close to 7 to reach optimum performance. Weed control can also be a problem when growing alfalfa and then he needs to cut it about 3 times for hay. Alfalfa is a great crop to plant for deer but it is not an easy maintenance crop like your annual beans/peas.

Instead of that have him figure what one acre of crops makes him--then pay him for that one acre and plant a nice perennial plot of clover and chicory--that way it will be easier on him and he still makes money on the acre.

good luck
todd