United States Department of Agriculture

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**Indiana -- October 2007** (ver. 1.0)

+-------------+----------+-------------+-----+---+--------+------------+
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| andowner:** |          |             |     |   | ounty: |            |
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|             |          |             |     |   |     ** |            |
+-------------+----------+-------------+-----+---+--------+------------+
| **F****arm: | **Tract: | **Field(s): | *   | A |        | **Date:    |
|      **     |      **  |      **     | *Ac | r |        |      **    |
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+-------------+----------+-------------+-----+---+--------+------------+
| Concurrence |          |             |     |   |        |            |
| of IDNR     |          |             |     |   |        |            |
| District    |          |             |     |   |        |            |
| Biologist   |          |             |     |   |        |            |
| (re         |          |             |     |   |        |            |
| commended): |          |             |     |   |        |            |
+-------------+----------+-------------+-----+---+--------+------------+

+---------------------+----+----+---+---+--------------------+----+----+---+
| ######              |    |    |   |   |                    |    |    |   |
|  Recommended Specie |    |    |   |   |                    |    |    |   |
| s and Seeding Rates |    |    |   |   |                    |    |    |   |
|                     |    |    |   |   |                    |    |    |   |
| All rates are Pure  |    |    |   |   |                    |    |    |   |
| Live Seed (PLS)     |    |    |   |   |                    |    |    |   |
+---------------------+----+----+---+---+--------------------+----+----+---+
| Species - Area #1   | Ra | T  |   |   | Species - Area #2  | Ra | T  |   |
|                     | te | ot |   |   |                    | te | ot |   |
|                     |    | al |   |   |                    |    | al |   |
|                     | Lb | =  |   |   |                    | Lb | =  |   |
|                     | ./ |    |   |   |                    | ./ |    |   |
|                     | ac | (  |   |   |                    | ac | (  |   |
|                     | re | Ra |   |   |                    | re | Ra |   |
|                     |    | te |   |   |                    |    | te |   |
|                     |    | X  |   |   |                    |    | X  |   |
|                     |    | Ac |   |   |                    |    | Ac |   |
|                     |    | re |   |   |                    |    | re |   |
|                     |    | s) |   |   |                    |    | s) |   |
+---------------------+----+----+---+---+--------------------+----+----+---+
|                     |    | ** | L |   |                    |    | ** | L |
|                     |    | 0. | b |   |                    |    | 0. | b |
|                     |    | 00 | . |   |                    |    | 00 | . |
|                     |    | ** |   |   |                    |    | ** |   |
+---------------------+----+----+---+---+--------------------+----+----+---+
|                     |    | ** | L |   |                    |    | ** | L |
|                     |    | 0. | b |   |                    |    | 0. | b |
|                     |    | 00 | . |   |                    |    | 00 | . |
|                     |    | ** |   |   |                    |    | ** |   |
+---------------------+----+----+---+---+--------------------+----+----+---+
|                     |    | ** | L |   |                    |    | ** | L |
|                     |    | 0. | b |   |                    |    | 0. | b |
|                     |    | 00 | . |   |                    |    | 00 | . |
|                     |    | ** |   |   |                    |    | ** |   |
+---------------------+----+----+---+---+--------------------+----+----+---+
|                     |    | ** | L |   |                    |    | ** | L |
|                     |    | 0. | b |   |                    |    | 0. | b |
|                     |    | 00 | . |   |                    |    | 00 | . |
|                     |    | ** |   |   |                    |    | ** |   |
+---------------------+----+----+---+---+--------------------+----+----+---+

+-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+
| **Planting Method:**                          | **Seeding Dates:     |
|                                               |      **              |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+
| **Companion Crop:      **                     |                      |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+
| **Lime - Fertilizer Recommendations:      **  |                      |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+
| **Do not plant corn or sorghum on fields      |                      |
| where Atrazine carryover may be a problem.**  |                      |
|                                               |                      |
| **Prior Herbicide Use: Type:       Year:      |                      |
|      **                                       |                      |
|                                               |                      |
| **Type:       Year:      **                   |                      |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+
| **Additional Operation and Maintenance:       |                      |
|      **                                       |                      |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+
| **Comments:      **                           |                      |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+

**RECOMMENDED SUITABILITY**

  ------------- ----------------- ------------------ --------------------
  **EXAMPLE                                          
  FOOD PLOT                                          
  SIZES**                                            

  **Acres**     **Length**        **Width**          **Ft.^2^**

  **¼**         **363**           **30**             **10,890**

  **½**         **363**           **60**             **21,780**

  **1**         **545**           **80**             **43,560**

  **3**         **1,307**         **100**            **130,680**

  **5**         **1,089**         **200**            **217,800**
  ------------- ----------------- ------------------ --------------------

**Annual Food Plots**

-   Primarily target upland game birds and deer.

-   Mainly function to establish safe winter foraging areas that
    restrict unnecessary movement and to provide a dependable winter
    food source to carry game through the winter.

**Perennial Food Plots**

-   Primarily target deer, quail, turkey, pheasant, Ruffed Grouse,
    rabbits, and songbirds.

-   Mainly function to provide open space and foraging areas.

**DEFINITION**

A food plot is an annual or perennial planting of grain, legumes, and
forbs (wildflowers and some \"weeds\" such as foxtail, ragweed and
smartweeds). Deer, rabbit, quail, pheasant, and a variety of other
wildlife found on rural land can benefit from food plots**.**

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height="2.6430555555555557in"}

**HOW A FOOD PLOT WORKS**

A food plot offers wildlife a place to forage for food in late fall,
winter and early spring after field crops are harvested. It is left
standing over winter to encourage wildlife use. Where fall plowing
buries the majority of crop residue, food plots are an excellent choice
to encourage wildlife survival. When incorporated with grasses, such as
on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land, it compliments the grass
cover already present.

**Food plots *alone* are not good habitat cover.** Landowners should
strive to provide permanent wildlife habitat for the target species. See
Indiana (IN) electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG) Standard
(645) *Upland Wildlife Habitat Management* for further guidance.

**PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS**

Consider developing one food plot for every 40 acres of land as a
minimum, not to exceed 5% of the total planned acreage.

Consider making food plots at least 50 feet wide, with a minimum size of
¼ acre. If it is expected that deer will be feeding heavily in the food
plot, plant in squares and increase the size to 2 -- 5 acres.

Food plots planted on the contour are recommended.

**Annual Food Plots**

-   Consider leaving un-harvested grain strips along field edges,
    adjacent to other cover types.

-   Locate food plots within ¼ mile of quality winter cover such as
    woodland, shrub thickets, cattail marshes, and warm season grass
    fields.

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-   To minimize snow accumulation, food plots should be located on the
    south and east side of permanent winter cover.

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-   Where permanent cover is not available, consider including a
    snow-catch area in the plan design, especially in Northern Indiana.
    See attached *Examples of Annual Food Plot Designs*.

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-   Consider requesting technical assistance from an NRCS, Indiana
    Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), or U.S. Fish and Wildlife
    Service Biologist through your local SWCD Office.

**Perennial Food Plots**

-   To minimize snow accumulation, food plots should be located on the
    south and east side of permanent winter cover.

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-   Consider inter-seeding legumes into existing cool season grass
    stands (or frost seeding clover into wheat) to provide a needed food
    source, to add plant diversity, and to attract greater insect
    populations. See NRCS CRP Job Sheet *Mid-Contract Management:
    Inter-seeding* for guidance on forb and legume selection
    (<http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/crphomepage.html>).

-   Consider strip disking existing cool season grass stands to
    introduce annual plant species. See NRCS CRP Job Sheet *Mid-Contract
    Management: Strip Disking* for guidance on forb and legume selection
    (<http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/crphomepage.html>).

-   Where early successional species such as quail, pheasants, rabbits,
    and grassland birds are a priority, consider regular, periodic
    disturbance of the food plot. See IN eFOTG Standard (647) *Early
    Successional Habitat Development/Management* for guidance.

-   Consider requesting technical assistance from an NRCS, IDNR, or U.S.
    Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist through your local SWCD Office.

**SEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS**

(Site-specific requirements are listed on the first page of this
document.)

**Annual Food Plots**

-   Food plots will be rotated every year. Plant only 1/3 of the food
    plot each year. Allow the natural succession of forbs to occur on
    the remaining 2/3 of the food plot.

-   Food plots will be located on the least erosive areas of the field.
    Adequate vegetative cover must be developed and maintained to
    provide both wildlife and erosion control benefits.

-   Food Plots will be left standing throughout the winter and spring
    until replanted.

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-   Plantings will occur early enough to allow species maturity before
    frost.

-   Seeding mixtures for **annual** food plots will be chosen from
    **Table 1** below.

**Perennial Food Plots**

-   Plantings will occur early enough to allow species maturity before
    frost.

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-   Food plots will be located on the least erosive areas of the field.
    Adequate vegetative cover must be developed and maintained to
    provide both wildlife and erosion control benefits.

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-   Seeding mixtures for **perennial** food plots will be chosen from
    **Table 2** below.

+--------------------+-------------+------------+---------------------+
| **Table 2**        |             |            |                     |
+--------------------+-------------+------------+---------------------+
| **[Perenn          | **Seed Rate | **Seed     | **Planting Dates**  |
| ial]{.underline}** | ^2^         | Depth      |                     |
|                    | (           | (inches)** |                     |
| **Species**        | lbs./ac.)** |            |                     |
+--------------------+-------------+------------+---------------------+
| **Alfalfa**        | **6**       | **¼ - ½**  | **Mar. 1 - May 1    |
|                    |             |            | o*r***              |
|                    |             |            |                     |
|                    |             |            | **Aug. 1 - Sept.    |
|                    |             |            | 1**                 |
+--------------------+-------------+------------+---------------------+
| **Alsike Clover**  | **2**       | **¼ - ½**  | **Jan. 1 - May 1    |
|                    |             |            | *or***              |
|                    |             |            |                     |
|                    |             |            | **Aug. 1 - Sept.    |
|                    |             |            | 1**                 |
+--------------------+-------------+------------+---------------------+
| **Ladino Clover**  | **1**       | **¼ - ½**  | **Jan. 1 - May 1    |
|                    |             |            | *or***              |
|                    |             |            |                     |
|                    |             |            | **Aug. 1 - Sept.    |
|                    |             |            | 1**                 |
+--------------------+-------------+------------+---------------------+
| **Red Clover**     | **5**       | **¼ - ½**  | **Jan. 1 - May 1    |
|                    |             |            | *or***              |
|                    |             |            |                     |
|                    |             |            | **Aug. 1 - Sept.    |
|                    |             |            | 1**                 |
+--------------------+-------------+------------+---------------------+
| **Common, Kobe, or | **5**       | **¼ - ½**  | **Feb. 1 - May 1**  |
| Marion             |             |            |                     |
| Lespedeza^1^**     |             |            |                     |
+--------------------+-------------+------------+---------------------+
| **^1^** Annuals    |             |            |                     |
| that will maintain |             |            |                     |
| themselves by      |             |            |                     |
| re-seeding for     |             |            |                     |
| several years.     |             |            |                     |
| Best suited for    |             |            |                     |
| sites **south** of |             |            |                     |
| I-70.              |             |            |                     |
|                    |             |            |                     |
| ^**2**^ When       |             |            |                     |
| mixing more than   |             |            |                     |
| one species,       |             |            |                     |
| adjust the rates   |             |            |                     |
| based on the       |             |            |                     |
| percentage of each |             |            |                     |
| species needed in  |             |            |                     |
| the planting. For  |             |            |                     |
| example, a 50/50   |             |            |                     |
| Red Clover/Alfalfa |             |            |                     |
| mix would result   |             |            |                     |
| in 2.5 lbs. of Red |             |            |                     |
| Clover and 3.0     |             |            |                     |
| lbs. of Alfalfa.   |             |            |                     |
+--------------------+-------------+------------+---------------------+

+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Table 1**        |        |        |        |                     |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **[Ann             | **Seed |        | **Seed | **Planting Dates**  |
| ual]{.underline}** | Rate   |        | Depth  |                     |
|                    | (      |        | (      |                     |
| **Species**        | lbs./a |        | in.)** |                     |
|                    | cre)** |        |        |                     |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
|                    | **     | **Mix  |        |                     |
|                    | Single | Rat    |        |                     |
|                    | Rate** | e^1^** |        |                     |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Buckwheat**      | **20** | **8**  | **½ -  | **June 15 -July     |
|                    |        |        | 1**    | 15**                |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Corn**           | **15** | **4**  | **1 -  | **April 25 -June    |
|                    |        |        | 2**    | 1**                 |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Cowpeas**        | **20** | **5**  | **½ -  | **May 1 -July 1**   |
|                    |        |        | 1**    |                     |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **German/Pearl     | **8**  | **2**  | **½ -  | **May 1 - June 1**  |
| Millet**           |        |        | 1**    |                     |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Grain Sorghum    | **12** | **4**  | **½ -  | **May 1 -July 15**  |
| (Milo)**           |        |        | 1**    |                     |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Kale**           | **4**  | **3**  | **¼ -  | **Aug. 1 -- Sept.   |
|                    |        |        | ½**    | 15**                |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Oats**           | **40** | **10** | **¼    | **Mar. 1 -- April   |
|                    |        |        | -**    | 15**                |
|                    |        |        | 3/4    |                     |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Partridge Pea**  | **10** | **2**  | **     | **May 1 -- June 1** |
|                    |        |        | ½-1½** |                     |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Rape/Canola**    | **4**  | **3**  | **¼ -  | **Aug. 1 -- Sept.   |
|                    |        |        | ½**    | 15**                |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Soybeans**       | **45** | **8**  | **     | **May 1 - July 1**  |
|                    |        |        | ½-1½** |                     |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Sunflowers**     | **12** | **2**  | **     | **May 1 - July 1**  |
|                    |        |        | ½-1½** |                     |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Turnips**        | **4**  | **3**  | **¼ -  | **Aug. 1 -- Sept.   |
|                    |        |        | ½**    | 15**                |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **Wheat**          | **25** | **10** | **¼    | **Sep. 15 - Oct.    |
|                    |        |        | -**    | 30**                |
|                    |        |        | 3/4    |                     |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+
| **^1^**Total mix   |        |        |        |                     |
| not to exceed 20   |        |        |        |                     |
| lbs./acre          |        |        |        |                     |
+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------------------+

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="3.301388888888889in" height="2.0in"}

**FERTILIZER AND LIME CONSIDERATIONS**

**Annual Food Plots**

Adequate nutrient and pH conditions will assure good seed head and stalk
development.

To determine the need for commercial fertilizer and liming materials, a
soil test from the current planting year or during the previous two
years is recommended.

The rate of application of commercial fertilizer will be from 75-100% of
Purdue University\'s recommended rate per acre of each nutrient for the
species being established for the lowest yield goal. See Extension
Bulletin E-2567, Rep. August 1996, *Tri-State Fertilizer
Recommendation*. If a soil test is not available, apply 200 lbs. of
12-12-12, or equivalent, per acre.

**Perennial Food Plots**

To determine the need for liming materials, a soil test from the current
planting year or during the previous two years is recommended for
perennial food plots. The recommended rate per acre of liming materials,
as recommended in the soil test for the crop seeded, shall be used.

Under normal circumstances, the recommended perennial species do not
need to be fertilized.

Before seeding, inoculate the legume seed with the appropriate inoculent
for the species. Pre-inoculated seed may be used, but shall be
re-inoculated if used beyond dates specified on the inoculent tag.

**OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE**

1.  General weed control is not required as the presence of some forbs
    (such as foxtail, smartweeds and ragweed) actually benefit wildlife
    by providing higher protein and greater number of seeds than
    domestic grains.

2.  Spraying or other control of invasive species and noxious plants
    will be done on a "spot" basis to protect forbs and legumes that
    benefit native pollinators and other wildlife.

3.  Protect the acres from unplanned haying and grazing. Fences may need
    to be constructed and maintained to exclude livestock.

4.  Measures will be taken to control severe outbreaks of noxious
    plants, such as Johnsongrass, Canada Thistle and other invasive
    species in order to comply with state and local noxious weed laws.

5.  All herbicide label requirements and applicable state and federal
    regulations will be followed.

6.  On perennial food plots, management practices and activities will
    not disturb cover during the primary nesting period for grassland
    species of April 1 through August 1. Mowing, however, may be needed
    during the plant establishment period to control weeds.

7.  Perennial food plots generally will not persist beyond 5-6 years.
    Manage perennial vegetation every 3-5 years after adequate
    vegetative establishment. Management may include one or more of the
    following options:

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a)  Mowing with residue removed or spread evenly across the field

b)  Light disking

c)  Top dressing with fertilizer (P at 40 lbs/ac and K at 60 lbs/ac)

d)  Re-establishment

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8.  Management activities, which substantially disturb the vegetative
    cover, should take place prior to April 1, or between August 1 and
    August 15.

***Helping People Help the Land***

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

**EXAMPLES OF *ANNUAL* FOOD PLOT DESIGNS**

(The diagrams are designed to provide prevailing wind protection; the
top of each diagram faces North.)

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 24%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 12%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 21%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td rowspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="3">Snow Catch (harvested rows)</td>
<td rowspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="3">Snow Catch</td>
<td rowspan="4"><p><strong>D</strong></p>
<p><strong>i</strong></p>
<p><strong>t</strong></p>
<p><strong>c</strong></p>
<p><strong>h</strong></p></td>
<td rowspan="4"><strong>Food Plot</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td rowspan="3"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td rowspan="3"></td>
<td colspan="2">(harvested rows)</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td rowspan="2"><strong>Food Plot</strong></td>
<td></td>
<td rowspan="2"></td>
<td rowspan="2"><p><strong>F</strong></p>
<p><strong>O</strong></p>
<p><strong>O</strong></p>
<p><strong>D</strong></p>
<p><strong>P</strong></p>
<p><strong>L</strong></p>
<p><strong>O</strong></p>
<p><strong>T</strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><p>W</p>
<p>o</p>
<p>o</p>
<p>d</p>
<p>y</p>
<p>C</p>
<p>o</p>
<p>v</p>
<p>e</p>
<p>r</p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="10"><p>A. Food plot designed to protect existing B. Food
plots designed to enhance drainage ditch.</p>
<p>winter (woody) cover.</p></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

  ------------ ---- ---------------------- -------- ---------- -- ----------------------
  Snow Catch                                        Existing      
  (harvested                                        Woody         
  rows)                                             Cover         

                    **Food Plot**                                 

                                                                  **Food Plot**
  ------------ ---- ---------------------- -------- ---------- -- ----------------------

C. Food plot designed to function alone. D. Food plot designed to
utilize existing woody cover

> as protection from prevailing winds.