Paging all food plot specialist

From my experience nothing beats Vetch in Late July, August and early September when the heat had the deer stressed and the does are lactating.

It's also hard to beat clover when done right, it's perennial and just a little spraying to keep the grass down and clipping to keep it think keep it going.

That being said the deer eat our clover in spring and summer but it's not near the food source for us that many others have. I don't know why but deer don't just hammer it and we clip it to keep it tender and spray the grass to keep the clover dominant.

I like vetch and large plots of soybeans the best with a little clover mixed in for spring/summer.

In the fall, I add about 6 lbs./acre of Durana white clover to my Buck Busters winter mix. This gives me year around food plots with only having to plant once a year. I clip it 2-3 times in the late spring and summer and spray it with Volunteer once and I'm good to go. Just make sure there is some moisture in the ground when you clip it in the summer. The deer love it and I have seen some good results with regards to antler growth. I would recommend soil testing before you plant.

We planted a blend in East Texas about 4 weeks ago which consisted of about 50% iron clay peas and then a lower percentage of grain sorghum, sun hemp, buckwheat, collards, purple top turnips, and sunflower. After I covered the broadcasted blend using a drag harrow I top dressed it with a clover mix (durana, crimson, and white). Have great germination so far. I like the idea of planting a blend for the same reason that you mentioned - you can have different plants that are preferred throughout the entire growing season. One species may be preferred early summer and as that one phases out another one is just getting to it's prime. We planted about 4 acres spread out between 5 different plots, so no where near the scale you are planting. I have read a lot of great things about Durana for the south, but this will be the first time trying it.

You planted crimson clover in April?

Yes, had a 5# bag in my garage so I threw it in. If it dies when it gets really hot and dry no big deal. Plenty of other stuff in that mix that won’t die at that time.