CLOVER FOOD PLOTS: MOW OR SPRAY???

In this video I discuss whether we should mow or spray our clover food plots to control unwanted weeds and grasses. Clover food plots are the most popular food plot grown, and for good reason, they are a good food source, turkey and deer love clover, and it's easy to produce with minimal equipment. But when it comes to controlling weeds and grasses food plotters are largely divided when it comes to spraying or mowing. Even experts in the food plot industry disagree when it comes to this topic. In this video I go over what management task we should perform in clover and which to avoid.

[lancebrinkley]

I'm down in Texas. I've learned the hard way that clover just doesn't make it when summer sets in. That's great advice to new plotters to pay attention to where some of these guys are planting. I usually just stick to annual clover. I plant just about all of them! Let them mature, flower, seed and die at different times. Plant my summer mix in late May and hope for a wet summer. This spring I believe we've received over 40" already. If the rain does stop, it will be all dried up in just 2 weeks though

[Yellowlab_Outdoors]

Like you said, you have to find a balance that works for your plot. There is no one size fits all that's for sure. I do a combination of mowing and spraying, seems to work well. Mow in late spring, spray early summer when grass starts to come on, then mow in the fall around later Sept. Looks great all Fall and winter

[Bow-Man]

Great information !!!
I'm in high Ag western NY and small pass through clover plots is all i grow now and they work great 👍
TY

[Blitz]

I spray twice a year for grasses and spot spray, as needed, for non deer beneficial broadleaf weeds. Combine this with frost seeding these clover plots last for a very long time. I do not mow. Love the content. Thanks!

[scotwolf]

Bill, you need to roundup a spot for eash seedling the prior year. Get to bare ground. Then when you plant them, put a tube on them the first year. Gives them a chance to get rooted in. Pull tubes for next years planting. Rod loves browse pressure after that first year. No need to cage it. Just tube it. Pretty easy.

[MrRjones]

Love your content, another thing to add is Alfalfa has the highest amount of calcium in hay/forage that deer need for antler growth. I’m from Western Ky as well.

[ryanweaver]

Seems to me it’s so much easier to spray 24Db once the plot gets about 12 inches tall, I spray pursuit as a pre emergent before planting so grasses arent a problem. Mowing in the the summer here in Texas is a no go for me when temps get to hot.

[carrollsanders]

I want to remind everyone if you tank mix Clethedom with Pursuit, buterac, Basagran. Always use a non Ionic Surfactant.
You can also spray Clover with Gysosulfate, at 1/2 Quart per the Acre, to kill the weeds that are not controlled by Basagran, pursuit, or Buterac.
If you have tough weeds spot spray with Crossbow round up mix, and reseed in fall or spring.

[Brandon-uorv]

I assume you are referring to Higgins and Harper. I wouldn't hesitate to mention them as they have put out videos on their opinion and it's a good reference to what you are talking about. I've watched both and now your video. A big point that Harper was referring to was biomass in his response. By not cutting as much or or at all you would increase the available food for deer. I do agree with you on the soil differences in regions and definitely should be a factor in which method you might consider. Higgins on the other hand points to nutrient content in actively growing plants. I don't think there is any doubt that an immature, growing plant is more palatable to deer but in areas like ours in KY it's a big risk during the summer to cut it. Really not a hard fast rule, probably a combination of mowing and spraying is best for the majority of plotters.

[chriskourlos]

A++ farmer! Im in the thumb of michigan an i mow every month until 2nd week if august! Im killing bug bucks iver it niw for 49 years. Its just simething meducinal to dear plys they have to eat up ti 7 pounds of food everyday!
Nice a++ video kentucky!❤😂🎉

[anthonyg]

Good points. Individual circumstances dictate different plans.

[JackFrostTheDeerHunter]

I mow my Maine fields when the spring weed seed shows up (broad leave and grass), with a preference to just before or during a good rain. This year is was May, but usually it is early June. I don't spray unless I have to, but that is dependent on how much grass is showing up. I will mow again in August when a good rain is in the forecast.

[clarkwheeler]

Alright Plot Professor, you didn't make any mention about what HEIGHT to CUT the clover if you do mow. Also the difference of mowing if its an annual or perennial clover. Maybe you can do a followup video to address the differences and recommendations for both kinds of clovers?

[Buckluck]

Well said brother! Looking good! So is mine!!!

[rfb]

Wes...excellent comments, it all depends on your region and your circumstances. We tend to combine chicory, clover and alfalfa in our green plots. What would you recommend for spraying for weeds in that mix. thanks, Bob

[brandonyoung]

I'm not mowing mine either plus university of Tennessee did a study and found out that you actually get more clover going into fall if you don't mow it. (Western Ky too)

[steved]

Hard to get anything to grow in Fl, springs. Dry season then hot. If your lucky, fall hurricane and cold fronts might make clover possible. It’s a hit or miss crop. Crimson clover works at times

[CampPerry]

I’m in South East Texas, from what I read and watched always make your finally mow well before the hot summer hits and don’t mow again until it’s about 3-4 weeks prior to opening Bow season. Is this an unreasonable theory?

[royguidry]

So in my situation in Ohio where I am 18 hrs away and not going to spend $800 to go cut a 1/2 acre field. I have basically got to let it grow and leave it at that. My thoughts are there is no ag or green for miles so even if my clover isn’t there newest most tender shoots I still feel having the only green around it will be eaten. Second is where I have a moderate deer herd I feel having the most tonnage during fall brown up will be beneficial where my plots can only be so big. Am I way off on this? I will still have my brassicas in the 3/4 acre plot as well as I can feed corn.

[travisshuttleworth]

Im in southwest Ohio and 2 weeks ago I mowed both of my 1.5 acre clover plots because they were flowering, but 10 days later they were covered in white and pink flowers again! I think I'd literally have to mow every weekend if i wanted to keep them from going to seed and thats not realistic for me because i dont even have a 4 wheeler lol i mow with a weed eater. Should i just learn tj accept that i cant stop them from flowering or is there another option that im not aware of yet? Thanks!