Food plotting is an enjoyable way to attract more animals to your property.
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General Information
- Legumes are plants that are able to produce nitrogen from the air. Examples include clover, alfalfa, soybeans, and peas.
- Perennial plants come back year after year.
- Annual plants must be replanted yearly.
- A general rule of thumb: the smaller the seed, the shallower it should be planted.
- Grasses need more nitrogen than legumes do.
- Inoculants enable plants like clover and alfalfa to convert the nitrogen in the atmosphere to usable energy.
- Deer need high protein forage sources in the summer and early fall.
- Deer need high carbohydrate sources in the early fall through winter.
- 1 acre = 43,560 sq. feet, or approximately 69 yards x 69 yards.
- 1-2 quarts of Round-up per acre will kill most all weeds.
The Proof is in the Protein
1 acre of Clover Blend = 4000 lbs. of grazing forage = 1120 lbs. of pure protein forage
Material Cost = $133
1 acre of Soybeans = 8000 lbs. of grazing forage = 1440 lbs. of pure protein forage
Material Cost = $146
Protein Pellets 25% protein with 25 lbs./bag at $20 per bag =
4480 lbs. of pellets = 1120 lbs. of pure protein
5760 lbs. of pellets = 1440 lbs. of pure protein
This is a summary of the comparison of the above products:
Clover = $133 = 1120 lbs. protein
25% Protein pellets = $3584 = 1120 lbs. protein
Soybeans = $146 = 1440 lbs. protein
25% Protein pellets = $4600 = 1440 lbs. protein
Material costs are calculated using full retail prices of nationally branded seed, fertilizer, and Round-up.
Additional Facts
Two types of plots
- Hunting Plot 1/8 to 1 acre
- Management Plot 1-5 acres
Suggested Forage Choices and Hunting Times
- Clovers/chicory/alfalfa early season (perennial)
- Rape mixes early to mid season (annual)
- Small grains/rye/wheat/oats mid to late season (annual)
- Beans/peas mid to late season (annual)
- Corn mid to late season (annual)
Forage Upkeep
- Most plants grow well if the pH is between 5.3-7.
- Alfalfa needs a pH of 6.5-7.
- Most plants grow well in soil that is not too wet.
- Rape and alfalfa grow well in sandier soils.
- Clover needs more moisture than other plants to grow well.
- Fertalizing - Nitrogen (10), Phosphorus (10), Potassium (10), each number represents the percent of that nutrient present in that fertilizer blend.
- It's better to spread the fertilizer at half the rate you intend and go over the field twice in a criss-cross pattern than to try and spread all of the fertilizer just right in just one pass.
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