M1591
Deer Food Plot Planting Guide for the Southeast
This publication provides information on cool- and warm-season forages typically planted for deer food plots. Information includes forage class, cultivars/varieties, planting dates, planting rates (drill and broadcast), and inoculant strains.
Download the PDF for a printable version. Note that it is set up as a large poster, so you'll need to tell your printer to fit it to your paper.
| Crop | Forage Class1 | Cultivar/Variety | Planting Dates | Planting Rate (lb/acre2) | Inoculant3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drill | Broadcast | |||||
| Cool-Season Forages | ||||||
| Alfalfa | L/P | Alfagraze, Amerigraze, Ameristand, Bulldog | Sept. 1–Oct. 15 | 15 | 20 | A |
| Austrian Winter Peas | L/A | Common, Fenn, FrostMaster, Granger | Sept. 1–Nov. 1 | 30 | 50 | C |
| Brassicas | F/A | Available varieties of rape, kale, turnip, canola | Sept. 1–Oct. 15 | 5 | 10 | |
| Chicory | F/P | Choice, Oasis, Puna, Wina | Sept. 1–Oct. 15 | 5 | 10 | |
| Oats | G/A | Bob Oats, Buck Forage, Coker, Trophy Oats | Aug. 15–Oct. 15 | 90–100 | 120–150 | |
| Rye | G/A | Elbon, Wrens Abruzzi, Wrens 96, Winter Grazer 70, Maton | Aug. 15–Oct. 15 | 90–100 | 120–150 | |
| Triticale | G/A | TAM Cale, TriCal (342, 718, 815, 2700), TriCal Merlin Max | Aug. 15–Oct. 15 | 90–100 | 120–150 | |
| Wheat | G/A | Commercial forage varieties, Forage Max, Pioneer 26R10 Awnless forage varieties: TAM 401, WB Grazemaster, SY Grit | Aug. 15–Oct. 15 | 90–100 | 120–150 | |
| Clovers4,5 | ||||||
| Clover, Arrowleaf | L/A | Meeche, Yuchi, Amclo, Apache, Osceola | Sept. 1–Oct. 15 | 8 | 12 | C |
| Clover, Balansa | L/A | Fixation, Frosty, Balo, Tabor, Enduro | Sept. 1–Oct. 15 | 5 | 10 | C |
| Clover, Berseem | L/A | Frosty, Bigbee, Tabor, Temara | Sept. 1–Oct. 15 | 10 | 20 | B |
| Clover, Crimson | L/A | Dixie, Tibbee, Au-Robin, Flame | Sept. 1–Oct. 15 | 15 | 25 | C |
| Clover, Ladino (White) | L/P | Durana, Imperial White-tail, Domino, Patriot, Regalgraze, Chickasaw, Non-Typical | Sept. 1–Oct. 15 | 4 | 8 | B |
| Clover, Persian | L/A | Enhance, Lightning, Persian Pro, Nitro Persian, Laser Persian | Sept. 1–Oct. 15 | 10 | 15 | C |
| Clover, Red | L/P | Kenland, Cherokee, Freedom, MR, Starfire II, Cinnamon Plus, Dynamite, Q Medium Red, Redland, Bulldog | Sept. 1–Oct. 15 | 10 | 15 | B |
| Warm-Season Forages | ||||||
| Alyceclover | L/A | Common | April 15–June 15 | 15 | 20 | EL |
| American Jointvetch6 | L/A | Americana, Glenn, Lee | April 15–June 15 | 15 | 20 | EL |
| Buckwheat | F/A | Common, Mancan, Manor, Royal | April 15–June 15 | 30 | 50 | |
| Corn7 | G/A | Commercial varieties, Dwarf Tropical | April 1–May 15 | 8 | 12 | |
| Cowpeas | L/A | Iron & Clay, Red Ripper, Whippoorwill | April 15–June 15 | 50 | 75–100 | EL |
| Grain Sorghum7 | G/A | Kafir, Hegari, Dwarf Milo, commercial varieties | April 15–June 15 | 8 | 12 | |
| Lab Lab | L/A | Rongai, Big Buck, Endurance | April 15–June 15 | 15 | 30–40 | J |
| Soybeans | L/A | Commercial varieties for grain production, Tyrone, Hutcheson | April 15–June 15 | 50 | 100 | H |
| Soybeans, Wildlife | L/A | Eagle Claw, Big Fellow, Game Changer, Quail Haven | April 15–June 15 | 20 | 40 | H |
| Sunflower8 | F/A | Commercial black oil hybrids, Peredovik (120-day maturity) | April 15–June 1 | 10 | 25 | |
1Forage classes: A = Annual; F = Forb; G = Grass; L = Legume; P = Perennial
2All of the above planting rates assume a complete stand for each species. If you plan to mix species, reduce planting rates. (For example, when broadcasting a 50/50 mixture of wheat and oats, use 60 lb of each for a total of 120 lb.)
3Purchase either pre-inoculated legume seed or inoculate with the appropriate inoculant before planting.
4Most clover seeds are sold having already been inoculated.
5Seeding rates for clovers are based on pure live seed, not coated seed weight.
6Commonly called deer vetch.
7Broadcasting seed is not recommended for these plantings. Drilling seed in rows improves forage and seed production.
8Although deer will eat newly appearing sunflower heads, they are not intended as a deer forage, but as structure for cowpeas/vining soybeans/lab lab to climb and grow on.
The information given here is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products, trade names, or suppliers are made with the understanding that no endorsement is implied and that no discrimination against other products or suppliers is intended.
M1591 (10-25)
Revised by Bronson Strickland, PhD, Extension Professor, Jacob Dykes, PhD, Assistant Extension Professor, Bill Hamrick, Senior Extension Associate, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture; Kevin Nelms, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Pierce Young, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
The Mississippi State University Extension Service is working to ensure all web content is accessible to all users. If you need assistance accessing any of our content, please email the webteam or call 662-325-2262.
Download
M1591
Deer Food Plot Planting Guide for the Southeast
177.54 KB