Food Plot Percentages

[String Music]

There are several articles saying what percentage of perennials and annuals should be in each field. Most of these articles pertain to the midwest and not the south.

I was watching a recent video from Grant Wood's website and he said clover only makes up 5% of his plots. Clover makes up the majority of our food plots.

What do you guys think?

 

[PickettSFHunter]

I have 25% in clover. Im sure his 5% dwarfs my 25% in total acreage. Grant Woods has quite a bit of acreage for summer forages so I can understand why he likes the lower percentage. I dont have that kind of flat ground so with smaller plots I prefer having the clover for the deer and turkeys. Also my clay based soil retains water pretty well so I dont run into the issue of my clover frying over the summer much.

 

[BSK]

Years ago, we used to recommend 60% annuals and 40% perennials, but I have shifted my opinion on that. I only recommend as much perennial as can keep feeding deer while annual plots are being turned/planted and waiting for germinatinon and enough growth to withstand grazing. Annuals are so much more productive than perennials, and often far more nutritious.

 

[Football Hunter]

Years ago, we used to recommend 60% annuals and 40% perennials, but I have shifted my opinion on that. I only recommend as much perennial as can keep feeding deer while annual plots are being turned/planted and waiting for germinatinon and enough growth to withstand grazing. Annuals are so much more productive than perennials, and often far more nutritious.

With 6 plots,I guess turning half of them to annuals,instead of durrana,would produce more tonnage per acre then?Wonder how much more per acre we are talking?My perrinials are really doing good.

 

[BSK]

Years ago, we used to recommend 60% annuals and 40% perennials, but I have shifted my opinion on that. I only recommend as much perennial as can keep feeding deer while annual plots are being turned/planted and waiting for germinatinon and enough growth to withstand grazing. Annuals are so much more productive than perennials, and often far more nutritious.

With 6 plots,I guess turning half of them to annuals,instead of durrana,would produce more tonnage per acre then?Wonder how much more per acre we are talking?My perrinials are really doing good.

Depends on which annuals. "Mixed" plots such as climbing beans and tall-grains can produce 10-14 tons of forage per acre, compared to 2-3 tons from a great clover stand. In addition, annuals can be productive at times most perennials are not (especially late summer, when most clovers are at their lowest productivity of the year).

 

[BowGuy84]

I have zero perinnials. I only have 1.5 to 2 acres of plots and like to have them prime and a new food source during hunting season. I am hoping to get enough established some day to have a bean/grain plot...

I'm going to frost seed some clover in future years on open trails taht have since been abbandoned. might even do it this fall but these areas aren't so much plots as clear areas that can be planted. 15 feet wide by a variety of feet long. That will be the extent of my perinnials.

 

[Football Hunter]

Years ago, we used to recommend 60% annuals and 40% perennials, but I have shifted my opinion on that. I only recommend as much perennial as can keep feeding deer while annual plots are being turned/planted and waiting for germinatinon and enough growth to withstand grazing. Annuals are so much more productive than perennials, and often far more nutritious.

With 6 plots,I guess turning half of them to annuals,instead of durrana,would produce more tonnage per acre then?Wonder how much more per acre we are talking?My perrinials are really doing good.

Depends on which annuals. "Mixed" plots such as climbing beans and tall-grains can produce 10-14 tons of forage per acre, compared to 2-3 tons from a great clover stand. In addition, annuals can be productive at times most perennials are not (especially late summer, when most clovers are at their lowest productivity of the year).

My plots are 3/4 acre +- ,so beans and corn are not gonna work,I did add Crimson around the north side of my plots,couple discs wide,just to see the difference,guess warm temps will let me know.

 

[String Music]

Years ago, we used to recommend 60% annuals and 40% perennials, but I have shifted my opinion on that. I only recommend as much perennial as can keep feeding deer while annual plots are being turned/planted and waiting for germinatinon and enough growth to withstand grazing. Annuals are so much more productive than perennials, and often far more nutritious.

With 6 plots,I guess turning half of them to annuals,instead of durrana,would produce more tonnage per acre then?Wonder how much more per acre we are talking?My perrinials are really doing good.

95% of our plots are in durana clover. We try to overseed with wheat and greens in the fall but the durana prevents much of the growth.

We are planting about 3 acres of eagle seed soybeans this spring so hopefully that will incease the tonnage.

BSK- what month do you plant the soybeans in? I read an article that said they should be planted in early June for maximum bean production.

 

[BSK]

I would plant soybeans in early to mid-May.

 

[richmanbarbeque]

I would plant soybeans in early to mid-May.

I agree.

 

[Soybean Man]

Grant is almost up to 60 acres of total food plots. He has 2 clover plots somewhere around 3 acres total or the 5% he states. I agree with the planting dates of early to mid-May. That can make all the difference in the world with an older, deeper root when drought hits.

 

[Boone 58]

We grow wheat in every winter plot and add about 2#'s of Ladino clover in each also......works best in the soil we plant in and we see no need to change. I like oats but they are not as hardy as the wheat. Will mix some in this fall though just for a change.