MBS Seed, Ltd.
Denton, Texas
(940) 387-2701
(800) 627-2939
Click the Name for photos
Small Grains These are the backbone of any fall food plot. Small grains are very economical to plant, easy to establish, and work extremely well as support crops with legumes. Deer will browse the young, tender plants. Quail and turkey will utilize mature plants for cover and nesting areas, while the fallen seed serves as food. Plant from Sept thru October at 1-1½ inches deep.
Oats—Best attractant for deer in the fall and early winter. Germinates readily and grows in a wide range of soils. 75-100 lbs/acre
Wheat—Good attractant for deer, especially later in the winter, but generally has more cold tolerance than oats. Grows well in a wide range of soils. 60-80 lbs/acre
Rye—Has better cold tolerance than wheat or oats. Fair attractant for deer. Also used as a cover crop and for nematode control in gardens. Good choice for sandy soils. 55-70 lbs/acre
Triticale—A hybrid of wheat and rye. Has good cold tolerance, while also growing fuller and giving the best disease resistance of these small grains. 60-80 lbs/acre
Legumes These are typically very high in protein and other nutrients. Most legumes used in fall food plots are valuable as a late winter to early summer food source. They are also great soil-builders because of their nitrogen-fixing capabilities. Vetch, alfalfa and clover are important to turkey and quail for their ability to attract and hold insects, as a seed source, and as vegetation high in vitamins and other nutrients. They are also extremely high in protein and readily browsed by deer. Choose clovers carefully, as there are many different types adapted to different areas.
Austrian Winter Peas—Excellent choice as a high-protein, palatable plant for deer in the late fall through winter months. It is also superb for soil improvement. Works well by itself or planted with a support crop, such as any one of the small grains (has similar planting depths). 20-40 lbs/acre at 1-1½”.
Hairy Vetch—Widely-adapted forage legume with respect to soil type and pH, with the exception of poorly drained soils. It is large seeded, resulting in good seedling vigor and growth, as well as allowing it to be easily handled by planters used for small grains. 15-30 lbs/acre at ½-¾” deep.
Alfalfa—Very high in protein and other nutrients, but requires a lot of moisture and management. Plant in a deep, well-drained loam to clay loam soil with a pH of 7 or higher. Alfalfa stands under good management generally persist 3 to 5 years. 10-15 lbs/acre at ¼-½”deep.
Burr Medic—Adapted well to neutral and alkaline soils in low rainfall areas south of Interstate 20. Excellent persistence and reseeding. 4-12 lbs/acre at ¼-½”deep.
Arrowleaf Clover—Adapted to sandy loam soils with a pH of 6 to 7. Needs good drainage. Good reseeding potential and good cold tolerance. 8-10 lbs/acre at ¼-½”deep.
Berseem Clover—Adapted to loam and clay soils with a pH of 6.5 to 8.5. Good tolerance to poor drainage. Low reseeding potential and poor cold tolerance. Does best in creek and river bottoms and on neutral to high pH clay soils. 12-16 lbs/acre at ¼-½”deep.
Crimson Clover—Adapted to sandy loam and clay soils with a pH of 6 to 7. Needs good drainage. Good reseeding potential with new varieties and good cold tolerance. Most widely adapted clover in the southeastern U.S. 16-20 lbs/acre at ¼-½”deep.
Red Clover—Adapted to loam and clay soils with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. Needs good drainage. Low reseeding potential with good cold tolerance. Does well in creek and river bottom soils that are well-drained. Weak perennial; may act as an annual. 10-12 lbs/acre at ¼-½”deep.
Rose Clover—Adapted to sand, loam and clay with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. Needs good drainage. High reseeding potential and good cold tolerance. More persistent than the other clovers in north central Texas and central Oklahoma. 12-16 lbs/acre at ¼-½”deep.
Subterranean Clover—Adapted to loam and clay soils with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. Needs fair drainage. Low reseeding potential with fair to poor cold tolerance. Low-growing and forms a dense sod; tolerates close grazing by deer. 16-20 lbs/acre at ¼-½”deep.
Sweetclover—Adapted to clay upland soils with a pH of 7 or higher. Used primarily on the blacklands.
-Madrid-yellow flowered biennial; shorter growth and finer stems. 12-16 lbs/acre at ¼-½”deep.
-Hubam-white flowered annual; tall, stemmy growth. 12-16 lbs/acre at ¼-½”deep.
White Clover—Adapted to loam and clay soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Good tolerance to poor drainage. High reseeding potential and good cold tolerance. Grows especially well on poorly drained clay soils and creek and river bottoms. Weak perennial; may act as an annual. 3-4 lbs/acre at ⅛-¼”deep.
Miscellaneous Items
Ryegrass—Deer will browse in the fall and early winter months. Easy to plant and establishes quickly. 15-25 lbs/acre at ¼”deep.
Turnips—High in digestibility and crude protein. White-tailed deer will most often eat the bulbous root. Plant in well-drained soil. 2-5 lbs/acre
at ¼”deep.
Rape—High in digestibility and crude protein. White-tailed deer will most often eat leaves and stems. Plant in well-drained soil. 5-7 lbs/acre at ¼”deep.
All planting rates are approximate and will vary depending on soil type, area of rainfall, intended use, and planting method. Seed planted in rows or with a drill may require a lower rate, while broadcasted seed may be higher.
Go to Food Plot Guide sections: Main, Food Plot Basics, Tips & Suggestions, Warm-Season Plant Descriptions