Drought hardy food plots..?

[Paul/KS]

So, out here in Kansas we are having a pretty major drought and much of the native, and not native, plants are in pretty sad shape. This has gotten me thinking about what would be a good, drought hardy, type of food plot to put in?
Any suggestions from folks in the dry(er)part of the country..?

[4 point]

I have good luck with sunflowers.

[Bow man]

Alfalfa is hardier than Clover

[Centex]

Sunflowers amd milo.  Was reading about quinia recently and it is very tolerant of changes in water and temp. Finding quinia seeds at a decent cost could be troublesome.

[TRAP]

Agree alfalfa is hardier than clover.

Take a look at buckwheat if a foodplot dries up in mid summer.  Buckwheat can be planted fairly late and is a pretty good forage crop and good for improving soil.

Trap

[Paul/KS]

Which of these choices would have the widest benefits for the wildlife ?

[TRAP]

Hard to beat soybeans as a long term food source. Forage throughout the summer and high protein during the winter months.  The problem is, when they are planted in small plots,  deer dont usually let them grow.

#1 choice is Alfalfa

Trap

[Wickles]

Alfalfa, chicory mix works well for us. Chicory has a deep taproot and has done well in drought conditions in Alabama. Not sure how it would grow in KS.

[NotchMJ]

I am far from an expert, my choice would depend a lot on the size of the plot and deer density. Soybeans are actually very drought tolerant, but as previously mentioned, they can't handle a lot of pressure. One option, if the beans do fail, would be planting a rye/clover mix in September. With a decent amount of rain, you could still have a good plot for fall.  

If you are able to maintain it, alfalfa is a good option.  

4 point, how big of a sunflower plot do you put in?  Do the deer hit them summer through fall?

[4 point]

MJ, my plots are around 2 acres total. Half was corn and half were sunflowers this year. Sunflowers are more of a late season food but they will eat the heads when they are green. I'm finding out they like them more after they have been harvested. There is a cut flower field by the food plots and they spend a lot of time on it. When it gets really cold deer will walk across a cut corn field to feed on a cut flower field.

[karrow]

i know what you mean by the drought. its gettin serious. last summer we planted turnups (spelling??). once is mid august i would say and then again in mid september. we had agreat stand by october with very little rain. as of 3 weeks ago they were still green and the leaves were starting to wilt. the size of the turnups were from golf balls to softball size and some bigger.

[pdk25]

Gonna have to look into these options.

[Alltalk]

Good thread.  My choice are  soybeans and alyce clover,, the sun flowers are intriguing though.  Mighty try some.

[Paul/KS]

I wonder if you planted those low growing sunflowers..? You could maybe leave them out and let the critters knock them down and feed?

[thumper-tx]

In the fall I plant wheat with a lot of arrowleaf clover mixed in. The clover stays relaitively small till the wheat goes to seed and then kicks in during early spring.  In East Texas, the arrowleaf clover last till mid-late July, even on dry years. Then in Sept, I start the process over again.

Wheat seed is rather cheap. The Arrowleaf sells around here for $100 per 50lb bag but it only takes 10-13 lb per acre so per acre cost is not bad.

[NotchMJ]

I might have to look into some flowers. I know they grow them in parts of the state where corn and beans can't handle it.

[Paul/KS]

I might have to check out the sunflowers too. Maybe mixed in with something low as well..?

[pybucks]

Here is the plan I follow and even in last years draught my plots in southern Iowa did pretty good.  You need to build up your soil and plant a mixture. I have 6 plots, each divided into thirds. Clover/brassicas/cereal grains.  Feeds deer 365 days a year.

 http://iowawhitetail.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=45

Tim

[Adam S. Daugherty]

No matter you choice of plant to improve the infiltration rate and water holding capacity of the soil plant your plots using a no-till system.  Tillage of the soil drastically reduces it ability to let water infiltrate and reduces the water holding capacity.  The most drought tolerate species to plant will be some of your modified hybrids for corn and soybeans.  Don't plant anykind of race horse hybrids that are designed for optimum yields under pivots on good soils.  You want a low yeilding work horse hybrid.  Mono cultures of any species are more vunerable to climatic conditions that cocktail mixes that add diversity.  It is all a big ecological wheel that works together, however, keep in mind that tillage destroys all the ecologoly and symbiotic relationships that really keep the soil functioning and keeps plants alive during drought conditions.