BEST Fall Food Plot Blends For Whitetails

Cereal rye is a very underutilized forage. Main reason is seed companies don’t want people simply buying rye and ignoring more expensive forages. Rye is the only true throw and grow. I’m not saying it’s the only thing you should plant but it should be your work horse forage, especially on small parcels. It is truly the Everyman seed for people with limited space and equipment. This demographic encompasses the majority of hunters and food plotters. WR grain germinates down near freezing and grows anywhere. It is nearly immune to browse pressure and is always the last thing green in winter and first thing in spring. Those are the two most critical times for deer survival. Timing is everything planting rye. Labor Day is when to start layering in rye in most areas. Deer absolutely love young rye shoots. This works great adjacent your brassica plots to keep deer from over browsing. Also works great to sow into your fall annual candy crops after they get browsed down. After near by AG has been harvested a well timed layered planting of rye can be gold. If you are looking to plant a kill plot in the timber look to WR. Many hunters try to get cute and overthink seed blends for kill plots and end up hunting over bare dirt. Rye never fails you in these situations. Rye will Save your hard earned money and valuable time. Stop letting millionaires hunting fantasy land parcels in fantasy land states sell you products that are unnecessary for the majority of hunters.

I disagree with the avoidance of cereal rye. The organic matter, both above ground as well as below, is one of the best reasons to prescribe its planting. It is also allelopathic, and can reduce weed competition over its growing life. Turkeys will readily eat the heads, as well as dove, and it makes great fawning cover as it matures. Blended with other cereal grains such as wheat and oats, it is an excellent addition for both soil biology and wildlife while not overpowering the plot.

Just the kind of info I am looking for. Thank you.

What an excellent video! Dr. Harper's stuff is always spot-on. About the only thing I don't completely agree with is his position on winter rye, especially for anyone trying to grow plots on very sandy or low-pH soils. Also, winter rye develops an extensive root system, much larger than the other grains, that is far superior for anyone attempting to improve their soil while growing food plots. With that said, if your soil is good enough to grow an awnless winter wheat or triticale, (a hybrid of wheat and rye) and you're planning to let it grow and set seed in the spring, those are better than just straight winter rye. If the plan is to rotate back to a warm season planting, like buckwheat, as part of a soil-building program, winter rye is the way to go, since you'll be cutting it before it sets seed anyway. Rye is also cheaper than awnless wheat varieties, usually.

I’ve never seen this Earnest movie what is this “Earnest plants a food plot” ? Earnest goes to Jail is my favorite

I’m a big fan of brassica blends. Deer will eat the greens all fall and dig up the brassica during the winter.

Great information, very much appreciated!

I didn’t think deer liked crimson clover but preferred any white.

Im in SW Georgia. My deer seem to prefer a brassica/clover mix. I tend to add extra rape seed. Nothing seems to touch wheat.

This was awesome!

Nice commentary

I’m with you about rye — thanks

I am in north central pa, and want the best seed or blend for October-mid November to hunt over. Not concerned with after mid November. What’s your best recommendation for my situation? Just clover? Or add brassicas and winter wheat?

Could you plant wheat and clover and if broadleaf weeds come in can u spray it with 24db "butreyrc" I think I read a article where Dr Harper reccomend that before just not sure. I had a forest mulcher come in and the amount of bread leaf pressure is unreal.

Always trust a guy with a broken finger.

I would like to talk to you. I'm doing a food plot in tn and would like your opinion

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