Soybeans in Small Food Plots
Filed under: Ask Grant, Food Plots
I would like to start off by saying how much I enjoy GrowingDeer.tv. I have learned a great deal from you and your website.
I really like what I have read and seen about Eagle Seeds, but the food plots that we have are very small (1/4 to 1/3 acre). We have one plot that is 1 acre and another that is close to 2 acres. What is your suggestion on the minimum size of a soybean plot? We can put up some sort of plot protector to give the crop a chance to get established. I am concerned that the grazing pressure on that small of a plot (even the 2 acre) would just be too great.
Jim
Jim,
The ratio of plot size (browse production) to deer density (consumption) is extremely site-specific in relation to soybeans. There are some areas where the deer density is low enough that soybeans will grow and be productive in relatively small plots (like The Proving Grounds when I first purchased it). However, hunters don’t usually like such areas as the deer herd density is so low that deer sightings are rare.
As the deer herd density increases, the size of plot necessary to allow soybeans to grow also increases. However, even in areas with extremely high deer herd densities, I’ve observed soybeans being allowed to mature simply by using the Gallagher Fence Food Plot Protection System.
The use of the Food Plot Protection System can vary from simply allowing the soybeans to become established and mature enough to handle the local browse pressure to total protection and allowing them to mature and using the soybean pods as a nutritious late winter food source and/or attractant.
Protecting a small plot of soybeans is relatively easy. Determining how many acres to plant to be in balance with the local deer herd density is often only accomplished based on site-specific trial and error.
Growing Deer together,
Grant
