Bob from PA and OH asks,
Hi Bill. Good to see you back and interacting on your new website. I definitely missed following your hunts on the Farm last year. My question is about liquid products such as DeerGro and the likes. What do you think about these products? Are these a waste of $$ or useful? I have some virgin plots I am planning for my farm in OH this year and the PH could definitely use a boost. I have spread tons of pelletized lime but I know it takes time to be effective. Thanks and have a great day!
Bill responds,
Topic: Liquified Ag Products for Food Plots:
Though very convenient in application, liquified ag products for food plots are not a replacement for traditional lime and fertilizer, they are simply designed to boost the soil temporarily.
Bob,
Thanks for finding me. I am not 100% sure what I learned using DeerGro over the years on my farm. The biggest challenge with testing those products is the variability of the conditions and the variability of the soil types in various parts of a single field. I spent a lot of time studying the science and there is something to this micro-nutrient stuff that activates the soil, but I can’t put a % improvement on the benefit you will get from the product. So the question of whether it is worth it is a tough one. I do believe it works, but putting a number on how much difference it makes is less certain.
The Plot Start (and any liquified calcium product) will provide a quicker increase in pH than traditional ag lime, but it is short lived and you would have to put on many gallons per acre to equal the benefit from traditional lime. So the liquified lime is similar to pelletized lime in that way, it is more convenient and quicker acting but not a long-term solution. I do think it would be good for the first year and there is no downside to applying it. I am sorry I don’t have actual numbers to support my review, but the science is there. It just comes down to cost vs benefit and I can’t give clear guidance on that. Good luck. (3/24/21)
