Wheat versus Rye as a Food Plot Crop
Filed under: Ask Grant, Food Plots
I live on a farm in western New York and have been working on improving my food plots for the past few years. I have a combination of beans and corn but am looking to plant some rye or wheat in a few weeks. I’ve watched all your weekly videos and really learned a lot from the food plot series. What crop is more palatable and nutritious for deer, rye or wheat? We have planted both rye and wheat as a cover crop on our harvested corn fields and I believe the deer preferred the rye. I’ve read different discussions on the subject but would like to get your take on it. Thanks for taking the time to answer.
Dan
Dan,
I usually find that deer prefer wheat more than rye (grain, I never plant rye grass). However, I suspect that deer would readily consume either if they were appropriately fertilized. Different crops certainly perform better on differ soils and the mineral composition of the soils where you live might be better for rye. Overall, I prefer wheat as it is usually less expensive, readily available, and when properly fertilized it is readily consumed by deer. With that said, I suggest you continue with your current program if you are pleased with the results.
Growing Deer together,
Grant
