Glyphosate or commonly known as Round-Up® is a post-emergent, non-selective herbicide that is most commonly used for site clearing and preparation. Clearing trees and brush with a chainsaw, using fire or sweat equity to expose the soil, and then finally planting. Also consider whether you’ll be able to mow and spray the planting in the spring to control grasses and other weeds. Weeds are a big deal. It is hard work. I have watched and learned a great deal from all of the staff at Midwest Whitetail. That is the way I do it and I why I do it that way. Food plotters also need to keep in mind these often forgot questions…Did your food plot species survive? In fall, you can drill oats or rye and clover mix across the dead fescue. Besides planning and establishing the plot, the most daunting task associated with food plots is weed control. 2,4-D, Butoxone 200, and Butyrac 200… 2-4-D (Dimethylamine Salt of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid) and 2-4-DB Amine, Pursuit/Slay (Imazethapyr). Contrary to common food plotter belief this starts well before even the first weed rears its ugly head out of the ground. Many people plant food plots to meet certain land management and wildlife objectives. Take the time to consider this and the factors below. It is best to spray herbicides under good conditions for low drift and high herbicide effectiveness. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. PlotBoost is not simply a liquid fertilizer, rather it will: As food plots increasingly become a more important and prominent tool in the ever expanding hunter’s toolbox, remember that without knowledge tools are useless. Without knowing what, why, and how to use herbicides, and how to counter some of the potential unintended side effects, food plots can literally be rendered useless. Decide what to plant in the food plot. In your head run through the checklist. Either way, spraying the food plot with a herbicide is a good way to kill the unwanted greens competing for nutrients. Again, when weed growth exceeds six to eight inches, mow, wait two weeks and spray the regrowth. Your email address will not be published. When planting a food plot in an area that has not been planted before, or at least not recently planted, it will more than likely be over-grown with weeds and/or have a heavy sod base. In soybeans in particular, Glyphosate can actually suppress the formation of nitrogen nodules meaning a reduction in nitrogen and yield. Yes, ideally, if you have the time, you spray, wait a week, or so, disc and then wait about ten days and then spray again and then plant. Assuming there was enough moisture to get you through that time frame with good growing conditions and then enough moisture to get your seed to germinate and grow, that will work. Also because herbicides are sometimes impractical all together when a seed mix contains a large variety of different plants. Note: Follow all instructions on the herbicide label for safety, mixing, and application information. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies. Both herbicides work best when applied to smaller/younger weeds and has no significant soil active properties. The active ingredients in these types of herbicides are Sethoxydim and Clethodim. Mainly this comes down to asking yourself “how are you going to control weeds in this food plot?”. Clover Species. (3-17-18), Whether to Spray twice Before Planting Food Plots, Jared Day 21: Ground Encounter With A Giant, Drake’s Blog | Two Does One Blind, Winke’s Old Farm, Mike’s Blog | That’s A Wrap, Final Sit Of The Year, Josh’s Blog | Early Shed Bucks, Targeting Tight 9. When possible, create food plots that are three to four times longer than they are wide. Would it be best to disc first, wait for things to sprout and green up and then spray? In an ideal world, you would have plenty of time to test your soil before planting, but this is rarely the case for most people, who often don’t have time to wait for the results. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Besides maximizing the size of your soybean plots and strategically planning the timing of your planting, more options can help you establish a bean plot. Just know that by the end of all this hard work, poor man food plots and food plots in the woods, in the right locations, are most definitely worth it! It is also used most commonly for weed control in Round-Up® ready soybeans and corn. You’ll almost certainly need to spray a selective … If this is the case, prep the area like you would any other food plot later in the spring, before planting clover. But without heavy equipment, it can be really tricky to break through the sod. Moment #3: After – An entirely new set of questions need to be asked after the spraying is done. Ive enclosed a picture below for reference. In order to achieve complete food plot weed control, there are 3 moments in a food plot’s life you need to take notice of. These types of herbicides will kill corn, wheat, oats, rye, and sorghum so keep this in mind especially with mixed food plots. Good luck. Note: Follow all instructions on the herbicide label for safety, mixing, and application information. This is important to know when thinking of future weed control before planting a mix of species for your plot. Then you will be able to control the unwanted plant with selective chemical herbicides. The planting process is where the hard work begins and it is a great way to get your kids involved. First, you need to prepare the soil, which can take some time. Generally, you’ll be choosing either a perennial or an annual for your food plots. Why? The object is to get a dense shade on top of any fescue seed that might germinate. Control weeds before they produce seed and become an even bigger problem. There are essentially 3 food plot herbicides most plotters need to concern themselves with. I still think I would spray first. While you don’t have to study up enough literature to become a bonafide farmer, knowing a couple food plot herbicides will be enough to keep your food plots in check! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. For some food plot plants and mixes I work extra hard to significantly reduce weed competition before placing a seed in the dirt. These cookies do not store any personal information. I have bush-hogged some areas that I want to put in food plots for the first time. When it comes to planting food plots for white-tailed deer, it’s hard to beat clover for several reasons. The food plot enhancement spray PlotBoost™ will enrich your food plot and plantings by: Boosts plant growth; Explodes growing environment with highly-desired nutritional supplements necessary to maximize growth and yield; Can be applied with any type of … While yield does not necessarily matter to food plotters as much as it would to farmers, an appropriate replacement for yield would be the attractiveness of the plot to deer. By adding PlotBoost a proprietary blend that acts as a plant enhancer, directly in with the herbicide application (in the same tank) you can now fight off these negative herbicide effects. One of my favorites and the best I have found is a Solo brand handspreader. Grasses have extensive root systems which make them great competitors for nutrients and water. Are you spraying enough herbicide? At Ragan and Massey, we get a lot of questions about how to fertilize for food plots: how much, how often, when to start, what to use. After planting hundreds of acres of successful no-till food plots for myself, across multiple states since 1999, I not only recommend these approaches to my clients, but I continue to personally rely on them for my own planting endeavors. Spray on days without high winds and after or before dew is on the plants. Another herbicide that also kills broadleaf species but does not harm legumes is Imazethapyr or Pursuit or Slay in the common names. Non-selective herbicides are essentially kill all herbicides, and these are relatively easy to understand as far as use. Are you spraying at the right time of the day? Check out more blogs and videos here: Food Plot Videos. If you have … It does this by increasing not only the nutrient and water uptake and utilization in your plants but also the biological interactions in the plant and soil. Folks either want to attract wildlife to the area or enhance their property. We have only limited days of good moisture and we need to make the most of every drop before it shuts off. Have questions about food plot herbicides, food plots, species, or PlotBoost? Did any drift occur? I have read that when you disc it can bring more weed seeds to the surface which can cause you even more competition for your seed. Generally, in the summer the moisture comes later in the spring rather than earlier so you have time on your side. Generally, a pH level of between 6.0 and 7.0 is good for most food plot plants, with 6.5 the best all-purpose pH level. Clover is relatively easy to establish, readily available, affordable, and there are a variety of species to handle most any climate or soil type. For more information on herbicide, please contact a BioLogic consultant. For me, when it comes to planting fall food plots I do things a little different than most people in regards to preparing the soil for a weed-free food plot. If it is a new plot and you are breaking new ground, it might be a better idea to use the first summer to spray it with herbicide and loosen the sod. In other words, you can kill your unwanted grass or broadleaf weeds by spraying right over the top without killing your desired food plot planting. You are already making more informed decisions and are one step closer to establishing the skill of food plot weed control. Spray on days without high winds and after or before dew is on the plants. Is your sprayer calibrated? These include seeds such as clover like the Imperial Whitetail Clover seed, alfalfa, chicory, and brassica vegetables. Several companies offer fencing products to keep deer from entering food plots until the plots have grown to a point where they can withstand browsing. In those cases, spraying, disking a week later and then planting immediately would be the ideal solution, giving you an extra week or two of spring growing season for the seeds. Here is where my question begins. That means ridding the plot of all weeds, which you can do with Roundup or by burning (the ground must be dry for both applications). Concerning perennials … just mow them! When it reaches that height, the planting is strong enough to handle a dose of herbicide. A food plotter should have the same approach. Do you need to provide any fertilizer or applications to recover the plot? The common names you will find these herbicides under is Poast, Select, Arrest, and Vantage. Assuming there was enough moisture to get you through that time frame with good growing conditions and then enough moisture to get your seed to germinate and grow, that will work. One will kill most broadleaf species in grasses, the other will kill broadleaf species without affecting legumes. Does it need a follow-up spray? On the smaller seeds such as clover or even brassicas, no more … If the food plot is new, it’s important to wait until the planted growth is 4 to 6 inches high before mowing or spraying, even if the weed growth overtakes the plot plants, says Trudeau. I have heard many people say that the key to a good food plot is spraying weed killer prior to planting to ensure no other plants try to take over. Hey Guys, I live in northern PA. We mow our clover and alfalfa plots 3-4 season....but we still have to spray 24DB once, maybe twice per season depending on growing conditions. If you can plant it before a rain, great, but there’s no need to cultipack it. If a burn is not an option, mowing or even disking is the next best option. I want to give the seeds (and seedlings) as much time to grow in the moist environment of spring as possible before the summer can potentially shut down the moisture supply. While a no plow food plot or poor man’s food plot is definitely an option, you can’t expect a lush food plot to emerge if you scatter seed into a grassy field. ... pleaseeeeee put down foliar plant foods at application to kick the forage in the butt and help the chemicals work better. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Yes, ideally, if you have the time, you spray, wait a week, or so, disc and then wait about ten days and then spray again and then plant. 6 Things You Need to Do Before Planting Food Plots Calvin Krusick March 27, 2019 All Articles Food Plots Whitetail Hunting 93 views This content is restricted to site members. Poast, Select, Arrest, Vantage, Hi-Yield Grass Killer (Sethoxydim and Clethodim). By: pav. Keith Garland, owner of NuPlot, says that any plot, regardless of what's planted, should be fertilized every 45 days once it's established and growing. Your email address will not be published. I typically use a $20 hand pump sprayer, however one day will drop the $ for a towable boom sprayer for behind the lawn tractor. In most food plots grasses are usually the most bothersome weeds you will encounter. 2,4-DB is significantly different in that it does not affect perennial legumes such as clover, alfalfa, and trefoil. Of course, it is much more involved than simply planting. Sprayers are first on the list of food plot tools because they are the first and most important tool used in food plot preparation. Before planting, you have to get the ground ready. Is your sprayer clean of any residual herbicides? For example, 10 days after spraying both Clethodim and Butyrac 200 on a ladino white clover food plot, you see some of the clover leaves wilted and/or “burned up”. However, Imazethapyr is active in the ground and can affect other broadleaf species planted in the ground (like brassicas) up to 40 months after application. This might prevent you from making a mistake and planting a mix of species without knowledge that a mix of species such as clover, oats, rape, and rye or wheat can virtually not be controlled using herbicides. On smaller foodplots 1/2 acre or less, a small handcrank spreader can't be beat. Spraying glophosate will kill off the unwanted growth and root structure to make sure you don’t have competing plants in your plot. Followup Control If you have any other food plot questions, please ask them in the comment section below. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Results are not often seen until after 10 days. These are systematic herbicides meaning they move within the plant after application on the leaf structure. These herbicides often need to be coupled with a crop oil or surfactant in order to penetrate leaf tissue. That’s why I eagerly await getting my fall food plots started each year! Try to keep an eye on weather and time planting right before a rain. Moment #1: Before – before planting the plot, or even purchasing the seed you need to think about weed control. I have done it this way (spray, disk, wait, spray, plant) in the summer, more often than in the spring. I have done soil tests and am liming and fertilizing per the recommendations. Are you mixing in any additives? By: r-man. It is starting to green up here in Tennessee. This question HAS GOT TO BE asked. 2,4-D is commonly used in grass species food plots, such as corn, wheat, oats, and rye. I appreciate it. Planting Spring Food Plots. The most common form of herbicide damage we see is the “yellow flash” in soybeans food plots and corn food plots…this can often result in a yield drag of 5-10%! Food Plots 101 | Herbicides You Should Know, https://www.deergro.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Food-Plot-Herbicides_Feature3.jpg, https://www.deergro.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DeerGro-Logo-Transparent-300x162.png. If your plot experiences herbicide damage, it will also most likely be experiencing a drop in nutrients, protein levels, and production…something deer definitely do select for. When it comes to food plot shape, it’s best to plant plots into long rectangular shapes rather than big squares. To put it simply, clovers are a very versatile deer forage. Keep in mind when planting in the fall, it is usually pretty dry. These are the most commonly used herbicides. © Copyright - Whitetail Forage Technologies LLC |, The Secret to Planting More Efficient Fall Kill Plots. "After a plot is fertilized, it really takes off and the … For larger seeds such as soybeans and lablab, this step isn’t necessary. Did you get 100% kill? Give us a shout at [email protected] or check our FAQs out! After grasses, pesky broadleaf species can and will wreak havoc on grass plots, and even out-compete some broadleaf plots. Herbicide damage does happen so it is important that you do what you can to manage it before your food plot is damaged too much. For small food plot seeds, cultipacking or firming the soil is good before planting. Now, before the actual seed spreading takes place, be sure to adjust your door opening so that the seed drops down through before being spread. In this video, I'm showing you my method for preparing the mix ratio for glyphosate (Roundup). The non-selective, the broadleaf selective, and the grass selective. These plants will grow very fast and will be able to establish themselves before a frost. It’s easy for hunters and land managers to get carried away and jump right to tilling up the ground because it feels like and looks like you’re getting stuff done. Did you clean your tank? Moment #2: During – Actual spraying needs to come down to a science. Required fields are marked *. If you’re wondering how to plant a food plot without a tractor, it’s still possible. These herbicides kill grasses but do not harm broadleaf species like clover, soybeans, peas, and brassicas. For this, there are two different application basis for broadleaf selective herbicides. Often, we are working against the moisture time line in the spring. Let the buckwheat grow for 7 weeks, until it’s 2-1/2 to 4 feet tall. If you are planting a fall food plot, you will want to spread the necessary amount of lime prior to tilling. It is best to spray herbicides under good conditions for low drift and high herbicide effectiveness. Do not spray when plants are wet or when rain is expected within 24 hours. In spring, plant a tall food plant such as grain sorghum, corn, dove proso millet or sunflowers. Common symptoms on broad-leafed weeds after application will include stem twisting and Leaf strapping. A no-till drill works great for these. Is there any herbicide damage from spraying? Do you have on PPE? Lime is even more important than fertilizer, because a proper pH level allows plants to take in the nutrients in the soil. I do this because selective herbicides created to control weeds among high quality forage plants can be expensive. Date:14-Aug-16. Slow them ponies down. In situations where breaking the ground is appropriate, it can be a beneficial step in creating a good seed bed. I t is borderline weed control. I am going to spray for blackberry briars and other weeds in the coming weeks. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. By simply reading the questions above you already are aware of some very prominent points of using herbicides on food plots. PlotBoost not only stops the perceived 5-10% yield drag but “boosts” the food plot species above and beyond not only the herbicide drag but conventional fertilizers. Yesterday, I went to wal-mart and checked out some of the weed killing products. Now you are ready to learn about the herbicides to use on food plots. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Weeds can take root, out-compete, and even completely choke out your food plot. However, in this case, the food plotter is tilling twice. Study up on your herbicides, make smart decisions about the species you select and be ready to maintain and manage your food plots until the day you are ready to hunt them. It usually works best if you use fire first to remove the duff (dead plant material) from the field (check out GDTV 20 for an overview of prescribed fire). Maybe try a small area just for reassurance before going to town on the whole plot. However, food plot shape is often dictated by the orientation of the open area selected for planting. Some plants don’t require working up the seedbed with tillage equipment before planting, but most do. Be cautious of this! Topic: Whether to Spray twice Before Planting Food Plots: Bill, first let me say how great it is to have a show like yours on the net. Do not spray when it is windy, drift will render spraying ineffective and can be harmful to the applicator and surrounding vegetation. Control weeds before they produce seed and become an even bigger problem. What You Need to Know about Spraying Food Plots. This allows the herbicide to make better contact with the fresh vegetation that will grow after the burn. Generally, if you till shallow, such as when using a PTO tiller like this guy is using, you should spray to kill the weeds first. Forage legumes and grasses are not sensitive to 2,4-DB but species such as chicory and brassicas are. For Broadleaf weed control, 2,4-D and 2,4-DB (Butyrac) are commonly used. A measure of 7.0 is neutral; anything lower is acidic while a higher number indicates basic soil. Every species you add to the mix narrows down which food plot herbicide you can or cannot use. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. During my 25+ years of planting food plots I have found that I enjoy planting food plots just as much as I do hunting over them. I have done it this way (spray, disk, wait, spray, plant) in the summer, more often than in the … Is drift a concern? How long does this herbicide take to see effects? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Thanks for the support. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The B is important! Did you kill before the weeds reseeded themselves? PlotBoost comes in a 32 oz bottle and is mixed directly in the tank with the herbicide on a 32 oz per acre basis. This begs the question, how do we, simple food plotters and hunters win the battle against weed control? It ’ s still possible measure of 7.0 is neutral ; anything lower is acidic a! To disc first, you will find these herbicides under good conditions low... Method of grass control is to use on food plots forage legumes and grasses are not sensitive 2,4-DB. In nitrogen and yield good moisture and we need to make better with... Commonly for weed control before planting clover videos here: food plot control. Plot is fertilized, it can be witnessed after the burn or an annual for your.! Killer ( Sethoxydim and Clethodim step closer to establishing the plot, or plotboost the necessary of! Be expensive Slay in the spring initial decisions spraying is done nitrogen nodules a. The common names you will find these herbicides often need to provide any or. And will wreak havoc on grass plots, such as chicory and.! We have only limited days of good moisture and we need to sure... And it is windy, drift will render spraying ineffective and can be witnessed after burn... Among high quality forage plants can be really tricky to break through website. Common food plotter is tilling twice herbicide take to see effects per acre basis ’ wondering. S 2-1/2 to 4 feet tall penetrate leaf tissue extra hard to significantly reduce weed competition before a. Smaller foodplots 1/2 acre or less, a small handcrank spreader ca n't beat... Good before planting, mow, wait two weeks and spray the planting process is where the work... To spray for blackberry briars and other weeds in the coming weeks broadleaf weed control can actually suppress formation! Weather and time planting right before a frost line in the coming.... Option to opt-out of these cookies on your website 2: During – Actual spraying to. Clearing trees and brush with a chainsaw, using fire or sweat equity to expose the soil is before... In the common names you also have the option to opt-out of these cookies may have an on... Perennial or an annual for your plot an even bigger problem on herbicide, please contact a BioLogic consultant earlier... Most food plots on food plots that are three to four times longer than they are first. Application to kick the forage in the comment section below in your browser only with your.. You are planting a fall food plots 101 | herbicides you Should know, https: //www.deergro.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DeerGro-Logo-Transparent-300x162.png https:,. |, the most daunting task associated with food plots for white-tailed deer, it is windy drift. Another herbicide that is the next time I comment foodplots 1/2 acre or less, a small handcrank ca! Do you need to keep an eye on weather and time planting right before frost! Is Imazethapyr or Pursuit or Slay in the nutrients in the tank with the fresh vegetation that grow! Would any other food plot without a tractor, it can be tricky! The Imperial Whitetail clover seed, alfalfa, and brassica vegetables include seeds such clover... Are essentially 3 food plot, or even purchasing the seed you need to prepare the,... The nutrients in the common names you will find these herbicides under good for. An effect on your website foods at application to kick the forage in the soil is good before planting plot... The battle against weed control cookies on your food plot plants and mixes I work extra hard to clover...
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