The establishment of a successful deer food plot requires careful planning, and corn remains one of the most effective crops for attracting and sustaining deer populations. Planting corn provides high-energy forage, especially when natural food sources become scarce. The goal is to maximize the crop’s yield and ensure it remains standing and available during the late fall and winter months. Selecting the correct variety and implementing precise planting and maintenance techniques are essential for optimal growth.
Selecting High-Yield and Durable Varieties
The best corn for a deer food plot is Dent Corn, also known as field corn, due to its composition and durability. Unlike sweet corn, which is softer and consumed quickly before maturity, dent corn is high in starch and produces a hard kernel that stores well on the stalk. This high carbohydrate content provides a concentrated source of fat and energy that deer rely on to maintain body weight through colder seasons and recover from the rut.
When selecting seed, focus on specific hybrid traits like strong stalk integrity, which is necessary to keep the ears off the ground and accessible through high winds and snow. Look for varieties with a longer maturity rating, typically between 90 and 120 days, which helps ensure the grain is not fully developed and consumed during the summer months. Furthermore, choosing a hybrid with regional resistance to drought and common diseases will help guarantee a high yield that survives until peak feeding season.
Preparing Soil and Planting Techniques
Soil analysis is necessary to determine nutrient deficiencies and proper pH levels. Corn performs best in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, and a soil test provides the data needed to amend the plot. Planting should be timed to late spring or early summer, only after the soil temperature consistently reaches 60°F, as cooler soil can result in poor germination and a weak stand.
Before planting, the seedbed must be prepared by tillage to remove debris and create a fine, firm surface. Corn is typically planted in rows about 36 inches apart, with seeds spaced approximately 8 inches apart at a depth of 1 to 1.5 inches. This precise spacing optimizes stalk health and reduces competition, leading to a higher yield of mature ears. If broadcasting, increase the rate to 10 to 15 pounds per acre and ensure the seeds are covered and the soil is firmed with a cultipacker to minimize loss to birds and rodents.
Post-Planting Care and Weed Control
Corn is a heavy feeder, particularly of nitrogen, which must be managed throughout the growing season to ensure maximum ear development. A starter fertilizer with a balanced NPK ratio should be applied at planting, based on soil test recommendations for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). The high nitrogen requirement is often met by “side-dressing,” or applying additional nitrogen once the plants are established, such as 200 pounds of 46-0-0 urea per acre, with another 100 pounds applied when the corn is about knee-high.
Weed competition must be managed, as young corn plants do not compete well for sunlight and nutrients. Weeds can be controlled mechanically through cultivation, or chemically using herbicides. Many modern corn hybrids are glyphosate-tolerant, allowing for effective post-emergent weed control, but conventional varieties require the use of pre-emergent herbicides, such as Atrazine, applied at or just before planting. Sufficient potassium levels are also important, as this nutrient helps maintain stalk strength and drought tolerance, preventing the plant from collapsing before the deer can utilize the grain.
Maximizing Availability During Peak Feeding Times
The primary value of corn is its availability and high energy content in the late fall and winter. As the kernels mature, the stored energy converts to high-calorie carbohydrates, providing the necessary fuel for deer to endure cold weather and recover from the rutting season. Mature, standing corn offers a concentrated energy source when most other natural forage has died off or become dormant.
Planting a late-maturing, durable field corn keeps the ears intact until the peak feeding period. Early-maturing varieties are often consumed by deer while still in the soft dough stage, wasting the plot’s potential for winter nutrition. Selecting a variety that finishes its growth cycle just before the first hard frost ensures the standing corn remains an accessible, high-energy food source when deer need it most for survival.