Oats

A We can't say for sure, but we think it is because Buck Forage oats retain a higher protein content longer. It tends to stay smaller longer. As small grains get larger they tend to become tough and the protein content decreases. Tender is always preferred over tough and stringy.

Q Has Buck Forage oats ever been tested?

A Yes, we developed this on a hunting lease near Stuttgart, Arkansas. In 1991, we asked Dr. Kroll to test and recommend it. After Dr. Kroll tested several locations, he gave his endorsement.

Q Will Buck Forage oats reseed itself?

A No, there is no easy route to successful food plots. Some plants (ex. Clover) will reseed under ideal conditions.

Q Do I have to work the ground?

A Yes and you have to cover the seed. No-till food plots sound great, but have low success rates. Some people successfully broadcast Buck Forage oats just ahead of a rain without tilling. This practice won't be successful every time.

Q How much do I plant?

A About 100 pounds per acre.

Q Do I need fertilizer and lime?

A Probably, check with your local extension office for soil testing and their recommendations. A general recommendation on fertilizer is 200 lbs. Per acre of 13/13/13.

Q Is there another crop that will attract deer as well?

A Several, but none that produce during the fall. Soybeans and cowpeas are excellent but must be spring planted. Buck Forage oats are the best for hunting season.

Q Is clover as good as oats?

A Clover is an excellent food plot especially in the spring. Most clover has it best growth in spring. During the fall deer prefer oats. Clover is a poor choice for attracting deer during hunting season.

Q Is rape a good food plot?

A Rape is a member of the Brassica family. Rape is high in protein but low in preference by deer. You will probably not experience much utilization, but what the deer eat will be good for them. We strongly discourage anyone planting Brassica for fall attraction. Brassica includes turnip greens, mustard greens, spinach and rape.

Q Will wheat be as good as Buck Forage oats?

A No! Plant any wheat next to Buck Forage and see for yourself. Secondly, most wheat is selecter for grain production only. Generally wheat produces about 40% less forage than oats.

Q What about blends?

A Some blends are good nutrition plots, however there can bo only one most preferred seed in any blend. If you want full attraction, don't mix your seed with less preferred plants!

Q Why not plant regular oats or feed oats?

A There is no such thing as a regular oats. You have no idea of what type of oats or germination is in feed oats.

Q What is a spring oat?

A Spring oats are a type of oat grown in the summer in northern climates. Spring oats (because they are a summer crop) have little to no winter-hardiness. Most spring oats are killed by temperatures around 26-28 degrees F.

Q Is there any one planting that will produce year round?

A None that we are aware of. Multiple planting of both warm and cool season plots are the only sure way to provide year round forage. In most of the country, we suggest beans and cowpeas for spring/summer and Buck Forage oats for fall/winter. We recommend clover for late winter/spring to be planted in roadways, ditch banks, etc. that can't be easily tilled. Interseeding some clover in the oats will help your game in the spring.

Q How far north will Buck Forage oats produce?

A Usually, Buck Forage oats remain green until temperatures drop 10 degrees or below. Extremely cold temperatures will freeze any oat out. Buck Forage oats can be planted earlier in the north and will provide forage until extreme cold arrives. Many hunters in the northern states and even Canada report excellent fall results. Deer will dig Buck Forage oats out of snow cover.

Q How much forage will Buck Forage oats produce?

A Buck Forage oats has not been in any forage trials. It was selected for its ability to attract and hold deer for the longest period. Under ideal conditions, Buck Forage oats can produce in excess of 10,000 lbs. per acre. Excessive fall growth usually results in lowered protein content. Remember large plants are stringy and tough. We believe deer prefer tender plants. Buck Forage oats remain tender longer than other oats.

Q Why not just feed corn?

A Two reasons. First, corn doesn't contain the level of protein deer need. Second, it is much more economical to produce food plots than to buy grain. Research in Texas indicates supplemental feeding costs 10 times what food plots do.

Q Is Buck Forage oats drought resistant?

A Yes, it has successfully been grown in 20 inch annual rainfall areas. (Buck Forage oats will not tolerate desert condition.) Excellent results have been obtained in areas such as South Texas and Mexico.

Q I have been told that deer will eat fescue and rye grass in the fall. Why shouldn't we plant this instead of Buck Forage oats?

A First, in our experience and many University trials, deer have a low preference for these two grasses. We rate cold season grass last in preference among the fall seeded plots. Second, deer cannot digest grass well. Just because they are green and deer will eat it doesn't necessarily make it nutritional.

Q What is no-till?

A No-till planting was developed to help control erosion. It involves using high rates of non-selective herbicides to burn down vegetation and then plant seed using a very expensive and heavy no-till planter designed for this purpose. Some seed blends are being marketed as no-till and suggest broadcasting them in weeds. We don't recommend this practice, because seeds that will produce under these conditions are not preferred by deer.

Buck Forage Products P.O. Box 43 Stuttgart, Arkansas 72160
Phone: 1-800-299-6287 or 870-673-2706 Fax: 870-673-2468
Email: buckforage@centurytel.net