**United States Department of Agriculture**

![](media/image1.png){width="2.9451388888888888in"
height="0.45069444444444445in"}

**Indiana - October 2006** (ver. 1.2)

**Wildlife Food Plot Program Job Sheet**

**Purpose**

The purpose of this practice is to establish annual or perennial
wildlife food plots that will enhance wildlife and wildlife habitat.

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.3118055555555554in"
height="2.6430555555555557in"}

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

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 Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) practices such as CP1 and CP2, 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 NRCS
Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) Standard 645: *Upland Wildlife
Habitat Management* for further guidance.

Where Practice Applies

On fields that meet eligibility requirements for the Conservation
Reserve Program as determined by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

**CRP Policy**

Wildlife Food Plot CP12 may only be used in conjunction with CP1, CP2,
CP3, CP3A, CP4D, CP10, CP11 and CP32. Cost-share is [not]{.underline}
authorized for this practice.

Individual food plots shall not:

-   Exceed 10 percent of a field

-   Exceed five (5) acres per field

-   Exceed five (5) in size

-   Be immediately adjacent to one another.

**Planning Considerations**

-   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.

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-   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.

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

-   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, IDNR, or U.S.
    Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist.

**Specifications**

Site-specific requirements will be listed on the attached specification
sheet. Specifications are prepared in accordance with the FOTG Standard
645-*Upland Wildlife Habitat Management*. Food plots must be separated
by a sufficient distance to maximize wildlife benefits and access
ability.

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

-   Annual 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.

-   Annual food plots will be left standing throughout the winter and
    spring until replanted.

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-   Annual and Perennial food plot seeding mixtures will be chosen from
    the appropriate tables below.

+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **Annual**                    | **Seeding |            | **Seeding   |
|                               | Rate      |            | Depth       |
| **Food Type**                 | (lbs      |            | (inches)**  |
|                               | ./acre)** |            |             |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
|                               | **Single  | **Multiple |             |
|                               | Rate**    | Rate^1^**  |             |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **Buckwheat**                 | **20**    | **8**      | **1 - 2**   |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **Corn**                      | **15**    | **4**      | **½ - 2**   |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **Cowpeas**                   | **20**    | **5**      | **½ - 1**   |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **German/Pearl Millet**       | **8**     | **2**      | **½ - 1**   |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **Grain Sorghum (Milo)**      | **12**    | **4**      | **1 - 2**   |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **Oats**                      | **40**    | **10**     | **¼ - ½**   |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **Partridge Pea**             | **10**    | **2**      | **1 - 2**   |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **Soybeans**                  | **45**    | **8**      | **1½ - 2**  |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **Sunflowers**                | **12**    | **2**      | **1 - 2**   |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **Wheat**                     | **25**    | **10**     | **1 - 2**   |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **White Proso Millet**        | **12**    | **4**      | **½ - ¾**   |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+
| **^1^**Total mix not to       |           |            |             |
| exceed 20 lbs./acre           |           |            |             |
+-------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------+

**Seeding Dates**

  ---------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------
  **Species/Mix**        **IN Seeding Dates**  **Dormant Seeding Dates\***

  **Cool Season          **3/1-5/15 or         **12/1-3/1**
  Grasses**              8/1-9/15**            

  **Legumes**            **3/1-5/15 or         **12/1-3/1**
                         8/1-9/15**            

  **Warm Season          **4/1-6/15**          **12/1-4/1**
  Grasses**                                    

  **Forbs**              **4/1-6/15**          **12/1-4/1**
  ---------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------

**\***Increase seeding rates by 25% dormant seeding. Broadcasting of
warm season grasses should only be done into a prepared seedbed with
protection from erosion as a consideration.

  ------------------------ ------------------ ---------------------------
  **Perennial Food Type**  **Seeding Rate     **Seeding Depth (inches)**
                           (lbs./ac.)**       

  **Alfalfa**              **6**              **¼ - ½**

  **Alsike Clover**        **2**              **¼ - ½**

  **Ladino Clover**        **1**              **¼ - ½**

  **Red Clover**           **5**              **¼ - ½**

  **Common, Kobe, or       **5**              **¼ - ½**
  Marion Lespedeza^1^**                       

  **^1^** Annuals that                        
  will maintain themselves                    
  by re-seeding for                           
  several years. Best                         
  suited for sites                            
  **south** of I-70.                          
  ------------------------ ------------------ ---------------------------

**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**
  ------------------------ ---------------- -------------- ---------------

**Recommended Suitability**

![](media/image3.png){width="3.2708333333333335in"
height="1.7854166666666667in"}***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.

**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 and smartweeds) actually benefit wildlife by
    providing higher protein and greater number of seeds than domestic
    grains.

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

3.  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.

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

5.  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.

6.  On perennial food plots, management practices and activities will
    not disturb cover during the primary nesting period for grassland
    species of **[March 1 through July 15]{.underline}**. 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: (1) mowing with residue removed or spread evenly
    across the field, (2) light disking, (3) top dressing with
    fertilizer (P at 40 lbs/ac and K at 60 lbs/ac), or (4)
    re-establishment. Management activities, which substantially disturb
    the vegetative cover, should take place prior to March 1, or between
    July 15 and August 15.

**[EXAMPLES OF *ANNUAL* FOOD PLOT DESIGNS]{.underline}**

(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>D</p>
<p>i</p>
<p>t</p>
<p>c</p>
<p>h</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.
>
> Modified from MN NRCS

**Wildlife Food Plot (CP12)**

**Specifications Sheet**

  ---------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------- --------------- ------- ------------ ------------- ----------- ----------- -------
  **Landowner:**               **     **                                                             **County:**   **     **               

  **F****arm:**    **     **               **Tract:**           **Field(s):**           **Acres:**   See below                 **Date:**        
  ---------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------- --------------- ------- ------------ ------------- ----------- ----------- -------

+-------------+-----------------------+----------+-------+-----------+
| ###### Rec  |                       |          |       |           |
| ommended Sp |                       |          |       |           |
| ecies and S |                       |          |       |           |
| eeding Rate |                       |          |       |           |
|             |                       |          |       |           |
| **All rates |                       |          |       |           |
| are in Pure |                       |          |       |           |
| Live Seed   |                       |          |       |           |
| (PLS)**     |                       |          |       |           |
+-------------+-----------------------+----------+-------+-----------+
| **Species** |                       | *        | **Ac  | **Total   |
|             |                       | *Seeding | res** | =**       |
|             |                       | Rate**   |       |           |
|             |                       |          |       | **(Rate X |
|             |                       | **(lbs.  |       | Acres)**  |
|             |                       | /acre)** |       |           |
+-------------+-----------------------+----------+-------+-----------+
| **Annual**  | **Perennial**         |          |       |           |
+-------------+-----------------------+----------+-------+-----------+
|             |                       |          |       | 0.0       |
+-------------+-----------------------+----------+-------+-----------+
|             |                       |          |       | 0.0       |
+-------------+-----------------------+----------+-------+-----------+
|             |                       |          |       | 0.0       |
+-------------+-----------------------+----------+-------+-----------+
|             |                       |          |       | 0.0       |
+-------------+-----------------------+----------+-------+-----------+

  --------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- --------- ----------------------------------- ----------------
  **Site                                                                                            
  Preparation -                                                                                     
  BEFORE Planting                                                                                   
  in Year:**                                                                                        

  **Prior                                             **Type:                                       **Year:      **
  Herbicide                                                **                                       
  Use^1^:**                                                                                         

  **Prior                                             **Type:                                       **Year:      **
  Herbicide                                                **                                       
  Use:**                                                                                            

  **Herbicide                             **     **                                                 **Dates:      **
  (per label):**                                                                                    

  **Herbicide                             **     **                                                 **Dates:      **
  (per label):**                                                                                    

  **Tillage:**                **     **                                                             

  **Fertilizer                                                  **     **                           
  (per soil                                                                                         
  test):**                                                                                          

  **Other:**      **     **                                                                         

  **^1^Note:                                                                                        
  Planting corn                                                                                     
  or sorghum on                                                                                     
  fields where                                                                                      
  Atrazine                                                                                          
  carryover is                                                                                      
  present may be                                                                                    
  a problem.**                                                                                      

  NOTES:                                                                                            
  --------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- --------- ----------------------------------- ----------------

  ---------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------
  **Planting                                   
  Year:**                                      

  **Planting                                   **Date:**
  Method:**                                    

  **If unforeseen                              
  circumstances                                
  prohibit                                     
  planting by this                             
  date, please                                 
  contact the                                  
  local NRCS                                   
  office as soon                               
  as possible.**                               
  ---------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------

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