Wildlife Food Plot Annual Attractants

Fall Seeded Crops (August 1–15)

Forage Brassicas
These brassica crops will produce an abundance of succulent, high-protein forage that wildlife will be attracted to after a hard frost or two. Very cold tolerant, they’ll stay green and lush into the winter if deer haven’t completely devoured them by then. No substantial root growth like turnip or rutabaga. Very quick growing, it will be ready to graze in 45 to 60 days. Can be planted in the spring for summer forage, but if not kept clipped or grazed down, they will mature and go to seed. Therefore, forage brassicas normally work much better if fall seeded. Seed at a rate of 8 to 10 lbs. per acre:

• Bayou: Cross between Kale and Turnip
• Hunter: Cross between a Rape cross and Turnip
• Winfred: Cross between Kale and Turnip
• Rangi: Cross between Rutabega (Swede) and Rape

DCS Wildlife Rape
Very palatable and quick growing brassica. Has proven itself as a deer attractant for many years in the north. Will flower easily so don’t plant before August 1st unless clipping is planned.

Turnip
A quick-growing brassica planted for both its palatable vegetative growth and enlarged stem that appears like a root growth. Deer will dig under the snow to eat the turnips through the winter. Varieties vary in palatability and amount of "root " growth. Purple Top provides a combination of both. Plant at 2-3 lbs. per acre.

Spring Seeded Crops (early to late June)

Rutabaga (Swede)
Very similar to Turnip except its leaves are smooth and waxy. It grows much slower and produces a much larger "root" than turnip and therefore works better if planted in the spring. Plant at 2-5 lbs. per acre.

Sugar Beet
The only non-brassica of the group. A warm-season crop that grows slowly and produces a very large sugary taproot. Sugar content is dependent on amount of vegetative growth, which can be as high as 18%. Deer love sugar beets, but this crop likes a good soil with limited nitrogen to allow adequate root growth. Plant at 5-8 lbs. per acre.