dbltree
Super Moderator
for hunting.
I love the CRP program but I suspect that it won't last forever and some are purchasing farms for hunting that does not qualify for CRP.
What then? What would you plant or how would you manage it?
Obviously one wants lot's of timber, bedding area's etc....but timber aside, most farms in Iowa are not going to be all timber.
My "perfect farm" would be corn, alfalfa and switchgrass...boy I bet your surprised to hear that!
Corn and alfalfa would provide a supreme food source as well as a high income per acre.
As corn prices go up land rent will go up as well and there will farmers standing in line to rent any ground available.
I would ask only that the ground be planted no-till so that the stubble would be a draw through out hunting season.
In some cases low ground might need to be worked, so leaving several acres standing would do the trick.
In areas that have an abundance of cattle such as is the case in my area there is also plenty of competition for alfalfa.
Let someone else do the mowing, spraying etc., but the alfalfa will draw deer until the seasons end.
I would plant switchgrass in all waterways, riparian buffers etc.
For those that aren't able to keep equipment or have the time to plant food plots...this would be the perfect system.
Of course it would never work for people like pharmer and I...cause we just like to play in the dirt
What would be your Perfect Farm for deer hunting?
I love the CRP program but I suspect that it won't last forever and some are purchasing farms for hunting that does not qualify for CRP.
What then? What would you plant or how would you manage it?
Obviously one wants lot's of timber, bedding area's etc....but timber aside, most farms in Iowa are not going to be all timber.
My "perfect farm" would be corn, alfalfa and switchgrass...boy I bet your surprised to hear that!
Corn and alfalfa would provide a supreme food source as well as a high income per acre.
As corn prices go up land rent will go up as well and there will farmers standing in line to rent any ground available.
I would ask only that the ground be planted no-till so that the stubble would be a draw through out hunting season.
In some cases low ground might need to be worked, so leaving several acres standing would do the trick.
In areas that have an abundance of cattle such as is the case in my area there is also plenty of competition for alfalfa.
Let someone else do the mowing, spraying etc., but the alfalfa will draw deer until the seasons end.
I would plant switchgrass in all waterways, riparian buffers etc.
For those that aren't able to keep equipment or have the time to plant food plots...this would be the perfect system.
Of course it would never work for people like pharmer and I...cause we just like to play in the dirt
What would be your Perfect Farm for deer hunting?
