Dear Chelsea,

Thank you for using Michigan State University Extension Ask Extension with your food plot for whitetail deer question. Welcome to Oceola County.

While it seems like a simple question in real terms there is no simple answer. Raising food crops is strait up agriculture. But the purpose is for wildlife instead of humans. There are several unknowns that need to be considered as a starting point. Choosing the seed is the easy part.

1. Do you already have a conservation/cropping plan drawn up?
2. How many acres are planned for this plot?
3. Did you have the soil tested already? This determines what will grow successfully.
4. What is the soil pH? Do you need lime? (Soil tests will tell you this buy them at the Extension office ask for the farm kits get several for each different field or habitat area.)
5. Will you be using no till practices on your inherently sandy soils?
6. Is your farming capacity such that you can do this by switching field use?
7. Do you have to clear the land first?
8. Do you want perennial or annual crops?
9. Is there a nearby water source?
10. Woods? Do you also need to plant trees?
11. Is there an adequate bedding area?
12. A combination of habitats on one site?

Animals need the same things we all do. Food, water, shelter (habitat) Here are some materials and websites to get you started

Resources – reading materials

Managing Michigan’s Wildlife: A Landowners Guide, by chapter online. This is an amazing resource as it walks you through creating a plan to the specific animal you are managing for.

https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/huntingwildlifehabitat/landowners_guide/Introduction/TOC.htm

Managing Michigan’s Wildlife: A Landowners Guide , Download the entire book in a single document to read offline

https://www.csu.edu/cerc/researchreports/documents/ManagingMichigansWildlife1999.pdf

article

https://www.fieldandstream.com/hunting/planting-perennials-food-plots-deer/

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/forage_brassicas_for_livestock_and_food_plots

Training opportunities

DNR training available on April 21, 2024, cost $30

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/calendar/2024/04/21/mitchell-state-park-whitetail-food-plot-and-habitat-management-clinic

Free recorded webinar to watch - definately watch this! 

https://www.canr.msu.edu/videos/meeting-deer-s-nutritional-needs-through-food-plots

I hope this helps you get started.  You can always hire a service to help you with parts of your plant and installation or do all of it for you.