Food plot progression

weekender21

Well-Known Member
I thought these pictures were worth sharing. Cool sequenced photos of the plot as it matures in the spring.

April 27, cereal grains

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07 May, Crimson clover coming on strong

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04 June, vetch

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That is very similar to my progression in southern OK interns if the timing and growth of the grains, clover and vetch.
Only difference would be my cereal rye is knee high and no longer green


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Do deer like that purple vetch? I have tons growing as weeds in flower beds, never thought to try to establish in/near the plots for deer!
 
Do deer like that purple vetch? I have tons growing as weeds in flower beds, never thought to try to establish in/near the plots for deer!
I haven't seen them eat it much, but it's a great producer of nitrogen. It has a deep tap root, which is great for decompaction, and dry soil conditions. It will overwinter in most places, so if they eat it, it's likely to be in early spring or during drought.
 
I've heard that like most things deer will eat vetch when it is young and tender, but not once it starts getting "woody". I planted some this year in a mix with all the other fall varieties, and the plot was kept "mowed" by the deer compared to the exclusion cage including the vetch. I had very similar plot progressions - crimson clover, then rye, then the vetch were the prominent plot species seen in pictures.
 
Hard to say exactly what they’re selecting but they’re using the plots when the vetch is mature.

2021

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2022

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I've heard that like most things deer will eat vetch when it is young and tender, but not once it starts getting "woody". I planted some this year in a mix with all the other fall varieties, and the plot was kept "mowed" by the deer compared to the exclusion cage including the vetch. I had very similar plot progressions - crimson clover, then rye, then the vetch were the prominent plot species seen in pictures.
This is funny, I heard just yesterday that they won't hardly touch the vetch when it's young, but hit it hard about the time it starts to flower. Who knows.

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