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The forage plants in Maximize were developed for Spring & Summer to provide a consistent source of nutrients to help establish fawns and provide nutrients bucks need to maximize antler growth. Forage Soybeans and Summer Peas high protein forage in the growing season until frost while the Grain Sorghum and Sunflowers supply a grain source that is available for both deer and game birds well into the Fall.
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Forage Soybeans:
Forage Soybeans are newly developed to produce an abundant supply of the high protein legume leaves that deer will continue to eat all Summer. Unlike regular soybeans developed to produce seeds, these new Forage Soybean plants were developed to keep producing tender leaves that deer cannot resist, they just will not quit growing and can reach 8 feet tall if not eaten. One of the best things about these new Forage Soybean plants is that deer already prefer soybeans over other Summer forage crops and now these new forage varieties will stay sweet by producing new leaves all Summer.
Grain Sorghum:
Grain Sorghum is a high volume producer of high quality grain that deer can harvest on an as needed basis. Although deer naturally browse on the foliage, the real benefit is the grain pod produced on the top of the stalk. Deer begin consuming the grain during the Summer as the grain matures and continue to harvest the grain into the Fall months. The high quality grain is a favorite of both deer and game birds (See Game Bird Treat).
Summer Peas:
Ideal for the warmer seasons, Summer Peas are extremely palatable for deer. This annual is drought tolerant and resilient in regrowth. As part of Maximize, Summer Peas are more resistant to overgrazing and have increased longevity.
Sunflowers:
Sunflowers provide early season forage and grow 4-6 feet tall making excellent cover for deer in the food plot. These fast growing plants shield slower growing plants until established, while providing stalks for vining plants to grow on. When mature, Sunflowers provide seeds for both deer and game birds to consume. |
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Moisture, Soil Preparation & Planting Depth are crucial to the success of your food plot.
1. Cultivate plot 4-6 inches deep.
2. Add 150 lbs 13-13-13 fertilizer per acre and add lime as needed.
3. Broadcast seed (15 lbs per acre) and cover with no more than inch of soil.
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Soil Preparation:
To plant Maximize properly you will need a firm, well-prepared seed bed, both limed and fertilized. We recommend breaking the ground and cultivating the soil 4”- 6” deep. Remove all competing weeds and then add fertilizer and lime as recommended. After properly cultivating, lightly pack the soil before seeding your plot. You can lightly pack the soil by running over your food plot with an ATV or a roller.
a. Fertilizer Requirements - For optimum results, a soil test should be performed prior to planting to determine your plot’s need for fertilizer & lime. If a soil test cannot be done, we recommend preparing the seed bed by applying up to 150 lbs of 13-13-13 fertilizer or equivalent per 1/2 acre. We also recommend fertilizing when the plants are 6” tall with 20 lbs of Ammonium Nitrate or equivalent per 1/2 acre to increase the protein & forage available as Maximize begins to be heavily grazed by your deer herd. Do not fertilize during a drought.
b. pH of Soil & Liming - The recommended soil pH is 6.0 - 7.5. A soil test should be performed prior to planting to determine your soil pH and the need for lime & fertilizer. If a soil test cannot be done, we recommend preparing the seed bed by applying up to 1000 lbs of lime per 1/2 acre or use 1 gallon of Gain per 1/2 acre.
Planting Depth:
Maximize contains fairly large seeds that need to be planted 1/2” deep. This can be accomplished by mechanical drill or by broadcasting the seed evenly over the seed bed, and covering with up to 1/2” of soil. If broadcasting, covering the seed can be accomplished by dragging the plot.
Moisture:
Soil moisture is vital to the plants being able to establish themselves. The soil should be moist when planting, with a reasonable expectation of future rainfall. If adequate moisture is not available for an extended period, the plot may become stunted or fail to establish. |
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Tips on establishing summer food plots...
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As with any Spring and Summer planting which includes legumes, establishing your plot can be tricky due to the tendency of the plants to be foraged out by deer before they can be established. Ways to aid in the success of establishing a Spring & Summer legume plot are:
1. Plant after Spring green-up has started... don’t let your food plot be the only green thing for miles! This will reduce the immediate foraging pressure on your food plot when it first emerges. The first three weeks are crucial, as the plants need to establish adequate roots and multiple leaflets before heavy feeding pressure occurs. By planting while native plants are at the height of sweetness during the natural Spring green-up season, your food plot will have a significantly higher chance to establish.
2. Plant multiple food plots at the same time or plant large areas. By doing this you will decrease the pressure on some of the food plots and therefore increase their odds of establishing. This strategy works well with normal deer populations, but will need to be combined with other methods in areas with dense deer populations. |
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Coverage: 15 lbs plants 1/2 acre; 21,780 sq ft or 30 yards by 80 yards (approx 1/2 football field)
Planting Times: Maximize should be planted in the Spring or Summer after the final frost when ground temperatures reach 68 degrees and there is adequate moisture.
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Game Bird Treat:
If you have hunted game birds for any length of time you know that once a field of grains are cut or harvested the birds flock in to consume the left over feast. It is no different with Maximize, once the Summer is over and your attention turns to attracting game birds you will find most of them will have already spotted your Maximize plot. To increase the usage and the available grain on the ground, cut lanes through the plot to produce an easily hunted field. Consider cutting new lanes or portions of the plot over several weeks so that fresh grain will be available all season and none will be wasted. |
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