Mason,

We all want that magic bean that will sprout quickly, be extremely attractive to deer, yet deer won’t over browse the crop.  Unfortunately, I’ve yet to find that crop.  Crop selection for food plots is not only based on these criteria but also what other food sources are available in the area.  For example, deer will readily consume lower quality food in heavily wooded areas, but won’t touch them when they are planted next to a soybean field.

Antlers are a by-product of an overall healthy diet that includes plenty of digestible protein, calcium, phosphorous, and several trace minerals.  No single plant provides everything that is needed to produce healthy deer.  Soybeans probably come as close as any crop.  That’s why most of the large-antlered bucks harvested are found close to an area that produces soybeans.  I plant soybeans at The Proving Grounds and there are no production soybeans for several counties around.  However, Eagle Seed forage soybeans are easy to grow and very drought resistant.  They are very palatable to deer and shouldn’t be planted in small food plots unless they are protected by a Gallagher Food Plot Protection Fence.

Growing Deer together,

Grant