jkratz5
Well-Known Member
Hey Fellas,
I was looking for a little input from some of the guys on here since I know alot of you have been working with Food Plots for years and years and produce beautiful plots for all seasons.
Our farm is 440 acres or so and is a good mix of tillable, CRP, and timber. Of the 440, approx. 110 acres is timber, and the other 330 is considered tillable. Of the 330, 60 acres is enrolled in CRP and currently the state of IL will pay for 10% of the CRP ground to be planted with plots. 3 years ago we took advantage of this and planted our first plots. We choose 2 different plot sites and a total of about 4 acres, one 3 acre plot and one 1 acre plot. At the time we planted a Biologic Perennial blend (premium perennial I believe). It was great the first year, the plots turned out beautiful and the deer took to them great. However, we were very disappointed to see the plot barely return the next year.
I guess my question is this. We are located in West Central IL (basically the exact same climate as Central and south central IA). We are looking to establish a 2-3 perennial plots, 1-3 acres each, and mix in an annual once the perennial is established. Any advice on what to plant that would be a good source of both early fall and late winter food source. The area that the plot would go in I would classify as semi shaded (due to a draw that runs right along the CRP ground). This area has been plotted once before and like I said the plots were great for 1 year.
Additionally, we have Plenty of Corn and Soybeans every year from our crops (approximately 110 acres of each with great yields, yet there always seems to be plenty left in the field)
Not sure if my question is to broad or my information is lacking but please feel free to hit me with questions, comments, etc and I can provide additional information. I appreciate any help and input you can give.
Thanks
Kratz
I was looking for a little input from some of the guys on here since I know alot of you have been working with Food Plots for years and years and produce beautiful plots for all seasons.
Our farm is 440 acres or so and is a good mix of tillable, CRP, and timber. Of the 440, approx. 110 acres is timber, and the other 330 is considered tillable. Of the 330, 60 acres is enrolled in CRP and currently the state of IL will pay for 10% of the CRP ground to be planted with plots. 3 years ago we took advantage of this and planted our first plots. We choose 2 different plot sites and a total of about 4 acres, one 3 acre plot and one 1 acre plot. At the time we planted a Biologic Perennial blend (premium perennial I believe). It was great the first year, the plots turned out beautiful and the deer took to them great. However, we were very disappointed to see the plot barely return the next year.
I guess my question is this. We are located in West Central IL (basically the exact same climate as Central and south central IA). We are looking to establish a 2-3 perennial plots, 1-3 acres each, and mix in an annual once the perennial is established. Any advice on what to plant that would be a good source of both early fall and late winter food source. The area that the plot would go in I would classify as semi shaded (due to a draw that runs right along the CRP ground). This area has been plotted once before and like I said the plots were great for 1 year.
Additionally, we have Plenty of Corn and Soybeans every year from our crops (approximately 110 acres of each with great yields, yet there always seems to be plenty left in the field)
Not sure if my question is to broad or my information is lacking but please feel free to hit me with questions, comments, etc and I can provide additional information. I appreciate any help and input you can give.
Thanks
Kratz