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The Simple Year-Round Food Plot Program
A versatile program to attract deer all year and significantly improve nutrition intake
The following recommendations are based on an averagae of deer densities, regional crop production, habitat, and other factors. Therefore, these food plot
recommendations are based on generalities. Regional differences can apply.
When creating a food plot plan, keep in mind that perennials should be the centerpiece of the plan. They generally contribute more to overall herd health
than annuals. However, annuals excel during the seasonal extremes (summer and winter) when perennials can struggle, and therefore, annuals are important
to maintain quality food sources for the entire year.
Year-Round Food Plot Plan
Total Food Plot Acreage: 4 acres per 100 acres
Perennial Acreage: 2 acres (ladino clover, chicory or alfalfa, select the proper forage depending on your soil type and region). Follow recommended seeding
rates for each species.
Summer Annuals (rotated in same acreage as Winter Annuals): 2 acres (50 lbs/acre soybeans or summer peas).
Winter Annuals (rotated in same acreage as Summer Annuals): 2 acres (SOUTH: mix of 10 lbs/acre berseem or arrowleaf clover, 3 lbs/acre dwarf essex rape, 50
lbs/acre cereal rye or oats), (NORTH: mix of 3 lbs/acre dwarf essex rape and 2 lbs/acre of forage turnips)
Note: In areas of extensive soybean production, summer annuals acreage can be substituted with 15 lbs/acre of spring-seeded berseem or arrowleaf clover.
This will supplement the perennial acreage with quality forage during the first half of antler development and fawning season.
Exception Examples
There are areas where an exception could occur to the above-mentioned plan. Here are a couple examples where you could adapt your food plot to regional
conditions.
Wisconsin: Where dairy farms cover the state and include significant acreages of alfalfa and grain crops, this is a place where you may completely abandon
your perennial acreage (because of so much alfalfa on or around your hunting area) and make all your food plot acreage winter annuals, such as rape and
turnips. With harsh winters, you may be able to attract more deer to your property with more winter food, along with providing more feed during the harsh
winters. Of course, your own perennial plots do insure your deer always have quality nutrition during the warmer months.
Mississippi Delta (East AR, West TN, West MS, East LA): In an area with soybeans everywhere and winters are mild, this could be a place where you could
convert most of your food plot acreage to perennials (clover, chicory or alfalfa). In this region, these perennials will often provide forage into December.
The increased perennial acreage will do more to increase herd quality.
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