Rancher with Plotmaster

Getting to some of our fields is difficult due to the terrain and vegetation.  An ideal solution is to use an ATV with a Plotmaster, a very effective combination that works well in small fields in the woods to break up the soil for planting and then smoothing the soil over the seed bed.  Various attachments can be added that will spread the fertilizer and seed automatically.  For our small plots we find it easier to use a manual spreader. 

The Plotmaster has various adjustments that allow for various depths for plowing and angles for discing, depending on the type of soil and depth needed for planting.

Planting During the Drought

It is a difficult decision to spend money on fertilizer, lime, and seed during a prolonged drought.  The cost of fertilizer has increased 400% since we began planting for the wildlife less than 10 years ago.  But, as the weather cools and the woods don their fall colors, human nature dictates that the crops must be planted.  This fall, surely, the rains will come.  So the decision is not whether to plant but what to plant.  The most reliable combination of seeds seems to be one that is mixed for the local area and sold at a local nursery and is appropriately called Wildlife Mix.  That mix plus the minimum amount of fertilizer calculated to produce a decent crop, and a schedule that would have the seed and fertilizer in the ground in time for cooler and, hopefully, wetter weather became our game plan.