About J. Wayne Fears

I have a very busy schedule and I don’t have time to plant a new crop in my food plots twice a year. What is a perennial crop I can plant one time and have a dependable crop that will attract deer?” I get many similar emails from readers each month. It is one of the most asked questions every year.

The New Clover

Based on the information I have been receiving from Bobby Cole, the food plot guru at Mossy Oak BioLogic, they have gotten the same inquiry and have found a product that will answer the question. It is a new variety of ladino clover called Critical Mass, and is marketed exclusively by BioLogic under the name Non-Typical Clover.

This clover was developed for the livestock farmer to get a quick start and aggressive growth. It is a large leaf variety of clover; instead of the leaves being the size of a dime, the leaves of Non-Typical Clover are the size of a 50-cent piece. So, it produces a really-large leaf, as well as more leaves per stem than typical clover. The 297 parent plants used for breeding Non-Typical were selected for winter hardiness, stolon density, high leaf-to-stem ratio, vigor, freedom from leaf disease, and resistance to virus and frost. For the farmer, it can be seeded as a stand-alone crop or in mixtures, or over-seeded into cool or warm season grasses for pasture, green chop, or hay.

While the development of Non-Typical is ideal for farmers, researchers at BioLogic found the same qualities made it ideal for white-tailed deer, and wild turkey as well. Austin Delano, BioLogic’s research and development chief, points out that besides quick crop establishment, substantial initial growth, and ability to produce a lot of forage, it is persistent in less than ideal growing conditions. In field trials, it maintained over 90% stand at 24 months after planting. Delano said this is good news for those hunters who plant perennials and plan for a stand to last for at least a couple of years, perhaps up to six years, before having to replant.

As to whether deer like Non-Typical, Delano stated the following, “Possibly the most exciting aspect noticed about this clover from a hunter’s standpoint is its extreme attractiveness. Every place we had this variety growing was getting ‘attacked’ by the local deer herd. Two farms in separate states that both have high deer densities were great tests for the persistence of this clover under heavy grazing pressure. It really shined in its ability to continue to put out new forage, even under hot and dry conditions.”

Area of Adaptation

The range of Non-Typical is very wide. It has been found to adapt well in North Central states, the eastern Corn Belt, mid-south, northeastern U.S., and eastern Canada where white clovers are recommended. Testers in the northern U.S. states have found it comes back healthy after cold winters and stays lush well into the fall.

Best Time to Plant

In northern climates, where the soil might freeze before plant root systems are established, it is better to plant Non-Typical in the spring when the soil temperature is 50 degrees or higher and there is adequate soil moisture to ensure germination.

In the south, Non-Typical should be planted during the early fall, as soon as enough soil moisture is available for seed germination. Spring planting is not recommended in the south, as frequent drought and hot conditions may limit root growth.

Planting Rate & Depth

On a well-prepared seedbed, plant Non-Typical at a rate of 8 pounds to the acre. Use 5 pounds per acre if broadcasting into existing perennial stands. Clover seed should be planted at ¼-inch deep. Be careful to not plant any deeper. The seeds are packaged in either a 2-pound or 8-pound bag for convenience.

Planting Instructions

Select food plots that receive from six to 12 hours of sun daily.

Non-Typical produces a lot of year-round food due to its prolific growth and leaf size. Photo courtesy: Austin Delano.

Start by getting a soil test done on each food plot before you begin seedbed preparation. The soil that you begin with will be significant in how long your perennials will last. The pH of your soil needs to be fairly neutral (6.2 to 7.5) if you want longevity from your stand. If you have acidic soil (low pH) it doesn’t mean that you can’t grow perennials; it just means that you need to incorporate some lime into the soil to raise the pH and reduce the acidity.

When ready to plant, work up a well-prepared seed bed, cultipacking the field to firm up the seed bed. Fertilize according to soil test results. Just before a rain, spread the seed at the recommended rate of 8 pounds per acre by broadcasting evenly, being cautious not to over-seed. Clover seeds are small and it is easy to over-seed a plot. Once seeded, use a cultipacker to cover the seed ¼-inch deep.

How to Maintain Non-Typical Clover

Annual mowing is recommended to get the most out of a Non-Typical clover stand. How often you mow can vary depending on the amount of rainfall you are getting and the amount of browse pressure the food plot is receiving. Usually a healthy clover plot will need to be mowed two to four times throughout the spring and summer. Care should be taken not to mow clover too close to the ground, or when it is stressed from lengthy drought and heat. A good rule of thumb is to mow in thirds, so if the clover is 8-10 inches tall, you just want to clip the top third of the plant. This will encourage new root growth and provide fresh new forage.

	Non-Typical trials have proven that deer are attracted to the new clover year around. Photo courtesy: Austin Delano.

Weeds that compete with your clover for light, moisture, and nutrients should be eliminated for maximum crop health and longevity. In most regions of the country, you may find the need to treat your stand with a grass herbicide. Mowing will usually take care of broadleaf weeds, but in severe cases there may also be selective herbicides that will deal with the broadleaf problem. There are numerous brands of grass herbicides that will work on clover stands. To find out more about controlling weeds in your clover food plots, contact the local county agricultural agent or call a BioLogic wildlife consultant at 662-495-9292 during business hours on weekdays.

It is also important, if you want longevity from your Non-Typical clover food plots, to feed them from time to time. It’s best to fertilize according to your soil test results. Many choose to fertilize at planting time and then during the spring annually thereafter.

Exercise Patience with Fall Plantings

Delano points out that many food plot planters who have planted a perennial crop such as Non-Typical clover in the fall are disappointed with what their plot looks like a month or so later.

Use a cultipacker for getting clover seed planted at the correct depth of ¼-inch.

He comments, “Be patient. In most places where there is even a moderate deer density, you will not see a fall planted perennial get more than 3 to 4 inches high. Even though there is not as much forage above ground in newly planted perennial fields as opposed to an annual plot, the growth that is there is extremely attractive. This is another reason many food plotters never see their new perennial plots get above lip high that first growing season. (“Lip high” is a term some biologists use meaning the crop is barely high enough for deer to get a bite, or in their lips. It means that the plant will not get much over 3 inches high.) Only in very large plots or areas of very low deer density will you see a first season, fall planted perennial get a significant amount of above-ground growth before old man winter comes along and slows the growing cycle down.

“Clover or other perennials are great food plots to put a utilization cage in so you can really see how much browse pressure may be taking place on these new perennial plots. When I am planning out what I want to plant where every fall, I am actually looking a year down the road for my perennials. I don’t count on my new perennial fields as being one of my number one hunting plots or a finished plot until the following spring when they begin to emerge from a winter of root building.”

To Learn More About Non-Typical

To learn more about this new clover and to get planting information, go to www.plantbiologic.com.

As I write this column, I have just planted my first food plot in Non-Typical clover and can say firsthand that it is quick to emerge under the right conditions. Two days after planting, we got a slow, steady rain and within three days clover was emerging – a genuine fast start.

Those who want a perennial food plot crop that can give several years of deer forage without replanting would do well to take a look at this new large leafed clover. I am.