Here in the south, we hunt food plots. I can tell you from years (and years and dollars spent) of experience, doing the right things ahead of time will make all the difference in the world for yours. The first, and probably foremost thing to do is to get a soil sample done. Most county extension agents will do them for you OR the fine folks at Whitetail Institute can help out. They are a phone call away from excellent advice on what, when, where, why on planting the best food plots for your area. Of course, they want you to buy some of their awesome products, but even if you lean towards something different, you still need to test the soil. Once you do, you can determine how much lime you need to apply to get the PH correct so you can really grow something worthwhile. We typically apply lime on our plots at the “home place farm” about every two or three years. After that, it’s up to you to decide what you want to plant.
We have had EXCELLENT success with a product called “Big N’ Beasty” from a company called “Frigid Forage.” Even though it is a brassica blend for northern climates, we have found it to be very drought tolerant, and the deer absolutely love it. It lasts all fall and winter, handles extreme grazing well, and just simply works. Combine that with some Imperial Whitetail clover, and in my honest opinion, you have a food plot that can’t be beat.
We typically apply about 300 pounds per acre of triple 13 fertilizer before planting, disc it in, then apply the seed and follow the instructions provided.
Another great product we have had amazing success with is “Eagle Bean” soybeans. Made for grazing and designed to be drought tolerant as well, these beans have been truly a deer magnet for us for the last few years. I strongly recommend them if, and only if, you can plant large enough fields to allow enough beans to grow without being totally consumed. We normally plant them in three to five acre fields minimum, and typically in three or more fields of that size on the same property.
Experiment! Give it a try! The older I get the more I am enjoying the food plots about as much as I do the hunting! Maybe you will too.