Welcome to another edition of the back 40. This past month we have made a few changes to the G.R.O. program. There is now the new G.R.O program member only forum page on the website. The link is www.grandparayoutdoors.com
The past 2.5 years we have been educating and using a lot of energy on raising awareness as to what is science and other helpful tips. We did this to give the industry a feel for who we are and give us some credibility. What we have already started seeing is other companies changing their lineups, and some of their staff and friends reaching out to pump me for information. I truly hope the industry changes but I also don’t want to educate other companies who are too lazy to put the time and energy into doing better. The wildlife is a copycat industry and I’ve been wisely advised to take a different approach.
What you still will see is a short tip of the week on Facebook and twitter. You will see a weekly blog on the website, which will be still helpful and meaningful. What the general public won’t see if specific research and more in depth teaching tools. All of you are valued paying program members and I truly believe I continually offer something of value to you. I believe the $20 per year is a small price to pay to get so many helpful tips which should save you money and get you to another level in your wildlife program. I believe I have answers to most, if not all questions people ask of me but my time also is limited. I also think having other perspectives on your questions is also wise and valuable. This is where the G.R.O community forum will allow private communication and where I can be less VAGUE in my answers, to protect Grandpa Ray Outdoors from being the source for others company’s information.
I sent a previous email out and to clarify, the best way to get access to the forums page is to go on the website, and click on the area where you ask for access. I can then simply click on all of you who want permission 1 or 2 times as day, doing a mass approval process. This would save me a lot of time and energy. Much appreciated. The past month found me doing the Michigan Deer and Turkey Show as well as the Iowa Deer Classic. This was the first time for me doing either of these shows. I appreciate meeting people there who have never heard of G.R.O as well as putting a face to those of you who I’ve worked with in the past but haven’t had the pleasure to meet in person. I also did a virtual seminar for the Wisconsin Bow Hunters Association and seminars at Rubicon, WI and Shawano WI. The next 30 days here is my schedule. March 18 Klema Feeds Franksville WI March 25 Wilderness Fish and Game Sauk City WI March 30 Milford Hills Johnson Creek WI March 31-April 2 Wisconsin Deer and Turkey Classic April 5 Lonesome Elk Archery, Terra Haute IN April 8 Economy Feed Mill, Bloomington WI
Lightning Camera Arms The mission of Lightning Camera Arms is to help you successfully film hunts. If you have any questions or would like help selecting the right camera arm and/or accessory for you, check him out at www.lightningcameraarms.com or contact him at thor@lightningcameraarms.com or (715) 533-2255 Thor Hermanson – Owner
Grandpa Ray Outdoors is the wildlife division of O’Brion Agri Services LLC. For those of you who do not know this, I provide ruminant nutrition consulting for other private nutritionists, feed mills and farm stores. This entails diet balancing, product formulating and producing legal tags for products. I no longer do on farm consulting due to time constraints. I, however do these things mentioned right from my office. I also have created deer minerals for other companies. I also sell deer bases, my booster pak and deer base pellets to other businesses to use for their own formulations. Another branch of O’Brion Agri Services is I.S.G. That stands for independent seed group. My clients in that venture are feed mills, farm stores, agronomy centers, and landscapers. I sell things like alfalfa, clovers, pasture seeds, lawn seed, grasses and cover crop seed. Some of those clients also are Grandpa Ray Outdoors dealers. As a result, I am higher on the food chain than many wildlife companies. I have someone growing alfalfa for me that also grows for 2 of the largest companies in the world. I also have people growing some grains and perhaps in the future some other wildlife seeds. Because of the volume of my seed business, I also have the buying power to purchase wildlife seeds at a lower price than many wildlife companies. In fact, many smaller wildlife seed companies are 1-2 tiers lower on the seed chain as far as purchasing power. They might be buying their seed or having their seed packaged by people who buy from the same distributors or growers as I sell to.
Why not Grandpa Ray’s? You all are reading this because you put your faith in G.R.O. but I still want to refresh some of you as to what I offer. Perhaps this can help you answer this question when others talk to about your current seed company. Word of mouth is the foundation for G.R.O and the best thing any of you can do for me is spread the word and message. I truly believe there is no one in the Wildlife industry who has a resume and background like I do. I believe any of you can call me with just about any question and I can provide you with an honest answer based on science and my extensive background. I have gotten my hands dirty my whole career and understand real world applications versus theories or what a computer says. I have been a ruminant nutritionist for 26 years. I have worked with some of the most successful producers and businesses in the US. I have an extensive background on seed. I have been in the seed business for 25 years and have an in-depth knowledge of the seed industry. I have sold and consulted with farmers and individuals for over 17 years on farm chemicals I have invented organic products and have an organic business. I have non-chemical solutions. I written a book called From Soil to Success. I understand of soils, the foundation of our forage success.
Guest Columnist of the Month- Matthew Rankin As a habitat manager, it is my never-ending goal to continue to provide quality habitat for the wildlife that inhabit my land. Whether it is the planning of a food plot, the creation of a sanctuary, or just trying to better understand the wildlife on any piece of land. I always ask myself questions that will better my ability to help my land. It isn’t as simple as picking a bag of seed and throwing on the ground, its much deeper than that. When it does come to planting though i know above all else that whatever grows must be put back. The plants that i plant deplete vital nutrients from my soil and therefore have to be put back. Each plant is different and what nutrients it requires differ as well. It is with this understanding that I know that my work is never done and I must continue to adapt and replenish what I take out. We would all like to have lush plants that just seem to draw big whitetails out of hiding and into bow range. It’s much more involved than that. Before planting your next plot ask yourself these questions. How far do my deer travel to get here? Will the receive more than they spend to get here? Why am I choosing what I am planting? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, consulting a professional habitat manager would be my suggestion. Knowing exactly what you are doing, and why you’re doing it will be far more rewarding than guessing will ever be. Quality work, comes from quality knowledge. With the right amount of both you’ll be far more successful.
Habitat Mixes We sell habitat mixes. We have the standard CRP mixes and can custom mix to you or your local specialist specs. We request 7 days’ lead time for special orders. Call or email for your price quotes.
CP2
Minimum of 8 PLS lbs./acre of native grasses and 4 PLS oz./acre of forbs Contains big blue stem, little blue steam, Indian grass, side oats grama, Virginia Wild Rye, Bundle flower, Purple Prairie Clover, Partridge peas, white prairie clover, Black Eyes Susan and Culver's Root.
CP25
Minimum of 7 PLS lbs./acre of native grasses and 16 PLS oz./acre of forbs Minimum of 35 seeds/sq. ft. Maximum of 70% grasses by population Little Blue Stem, Big Blue Stem, Switchgrass, Blue Grama, Purple Prairie Clover, Partridge peas, white prairie clover, Black Eyes Susan and Culver's Root, Stiff Goldenrod, Gray Headed Coneflower, Smooth Blue Aster, Golden Alexanders, Wild Bergamot, Fox glove Penstemm, Great Blue Lobielaa, Narrowleaf Mountain Mint.
Permablend 40% Switchgrass 30% Big Bluestem 10% Indiangrass 10% Little Blue Stem 10% Side Oats Grama Seeding Rates: 8-10 lbs. per acre broadcasted 6-8 lbs. per acre drilled This mix is a warm season perennial mix that can be used for screening and bedding. There are some advantages over straight switchgrass. The Big Blue stem and Indiangrass also give you plant height but the shorter grasses also give you some extra thermal cover plus the layered effect helps keep the natives standing taller, longer into the winter. Special Pricing for March 15-April 15th for program members $11 per lb.
Here are the options for planting around trees Loggers Trail Mix and Inner Sanctum
Wisconsin Deer and Turkey Classic Seminar Schedule I will be conducting 4 seminars at the show. For those of you who can make it, please attend. Friday March 31 6pm Seminar Area D Saturday April 1 12:15 pm Area D Saturday April 1 2:45 Area D Sunday April 2 12:15 pm Area D