5.31.2011 Disked the ground without plowing. After 8 passes or so it worked up real nice. I like to plow the ground first, but like most everyone else we got behind with all the rain (no complaints though) and so just got things in the ground as quickly as possible. Planted 4 separate plots. One large one, did 1 pass of Buck Forage clover, then 1 pass of WhiteTail Institute Clover, 1 pass WTI Premium Blend, then finished out with BF clover. 3 smaller plots - 1 got WTI Extreme (made for rough ground.. ha!), 1 got WTI No-Plow, and the third got Buck Forage Chicory.

The chicory is usually planted in the fall, which we'll do as well, but can be spring planted. Right now we're experimenting to see which plots grow the best under the weather conditions we usually get - you know, hot, dry, and hot.

You'll notice we planted WhiteTail Institute seeds as well, even though we don't sell those. We want to see what works the best for our area. I don't want to sell anything unless I think it really is the best, or at the least as good as comparably priced products.

Updated 6/6/11 Got a little shower of rain Saturday night (6/4) but haven't had time to see if anything is sprouted yet. I think it was enough rain to get 'em germinated though.

Updated 6/16/11 Had a thunderstorm roll through Thursday evening, the 9th. Had been out bush hogging in the heat, so sat on the porch and drank a Pabst that was left over from a party last summer, and watched it rain. The beer tasted better than it had any right to.

Got a sprinkle Saturday night (6/11)and a better shower this morning; enough to settle the dust plus a little. Things are germinating out there, not sure if it's weeds or seeds! I do notice a dark, thick patch where my farm help musta not been paying attention to the slide gate on the spinner. My oh my.

Updated 7/22/11 Well, not much new news, but we have had a few much-needed storms roll through, which are always a gift this time of year. Everything is looking really nice and green, even though the rain has been scant. (as usual) Just took delivery of the oats yesterday, so we're ready to roll now!

Updated 12/3/2011(finally) Been busy with my real job, so this is lacking. Anyway, none of the spring planted seeds did well. A combination of late planting and then our usual drought wasn't a good combo. Next spring I intend to plant all kinds of seed again in March/April, especially the clover.

However, the fall planted oats are doing great! Even with the recent frost they are, as promised, staying green. Now that the soybeans have been harvested, I expect to see deer grazing the oats. My long suffering wife also planted the clover and chicory at the same time she was doing the oats this fall. It's the rare lady that will walk across worked ground carrying a seed spinner. Better treat her right this Christmas. I'm anxious to see how that stuff looks in the spring.