Food Plot Seeding Rate Chart
Typical seeding rates by species for common food plot mixes.
| Species | Typical rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clover (ladino/white) | 6-8 lb/acre | Perennial, broadcast, shallow cover |
| Clover (red) | 10-12 lb/acre | Perennial, broadcast, shallow cover |
| Winter wheat | 100-120 lb/acre | Annual, drill or broadcast + cover |
| Brassicas (rape/turnip mix) | 4-6 lb/acre | Annual, fall, broadcast, shallow cover |
| Chicory | 4-5 lb/acre | Perennial, broadcast, shallow cover |
| Soybeans (forage type) | 50-60 lb/acre | Annual, drill, spring/summer |
Always check your specific seed blend and soil test first
These rates are typical for straight, single-species plantings -- blended mixes often use lower rates per component since multiple species share the available space. Soil pH and fertility matter as much as seeding rate for a successful plot; a soil test before planting catches issues a seeding rate alone can't fix.
Where these numbers come from
Typical seeding rates reflect common extension and seed-company published guidance for straight plantings of each species. Always follow your specific seed product's label rate, since blends, coated seed, and regional varieties can call for different rates than a generic species-level chart.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use these rates for a blended mix?
Not directly -- blends typically use lower per-component rates than a straight planting of any single species, since the mix shares the available planting space; always check the specific blend's label rate.
Why does soil testing matter as much as seeding rate?
Even a correctly seeded plot can fail or underperform if soil pH or fertility isn't adequate for the species planted -- a soil test identifies lime or fertilizer needs that seeding rate alone can't address.
Do perennial and annual plots need different seeding approaches?
Yes -- perennials like clover are typically broadcast at a lighter rate into a finer seedbed, while some annuals like wheat or soybeans are often drilled at a heavier rate, reflecting their different growth habits.
Explore the whole Calcs family here.
Not happy with our calculations or how it works? Let us know.
Have a suggestion for a calculator you don't see here? Let us know.
All HuntersCalcs tools
Rifle & Scope
Ballistic Coefficient Estimator Bullet Drop / Trajectory Calculator Barrel-Length Velocity Loss (Estimate) BC Truing from Chronograph Cost per Shot / Cost per Hunt Density Altitude Calculator Scope / Binocular Exit Pupil, FOV & Twilight Factor Maximum Point-Blank Range Mil-Dot / MOA Range Estimator MOA / Mil Calculator Muzzle / Downrange Energy & Momentum Free Recoil Energy & Velocity Sectional Density Calculator Sight-In / Zero Correction Spin Drift & Coriolis (Long-Range) Time of Flight & Moving-Game Lead Twist Rate & Bullet Stability Uphill / Downhill Shot Correction Wind Drift CalculatorMuzzleloader
Muzzleloader Ballistics Muzzleloader Powder: Volume, Shots per Pound & Cost Patched Round Ball: Weight, BC & TwistShotgun
Pellet Energy by Shot Size & Range Crossing-Bird Lead Pellet Count & Pattern Density Slug DropArchery & Crossbow
Arrow Drop, Sight Pin Gaps & Yardage Tape Arrow FOC (Front of Center) Arrow Kinetic Energy & Momentum Arrow Speed Estimator Arrow Spine — General Starting Point Total Arrow Weight & GPP Holding Weight from Let-Off Broadhead Penetration Reference: Energy vs. Momentum Crossbow Bolt Drop with Multi-Reticle Scope Draw Length Calculator Treestand / Angle-Shot Horizontal DistanceReloading
Case Capacity from Water Weight Seating Depth off the Lands (CBTO) Chronograph ES / SD Statistics Load Density / Case Fill % Powder Burn-Rate Reference Reloading Cost per Round & Break-Even Load Data Finder Rounds per Pound of PowderDraw Odds
Tag Draw Odds Estimator (Pilot)Land & Herd
Food Plot Seed, Lime & Fertilizer Mix Hunting Lease Cost per Acre / per Hunter Trail Camera Population Estimate (Jacobson Method)Meat Processing
Cost per Pound of Venison Cure & Salt Calculator Freezer Space Needed per Deer Jerky / Sausage Seasoning Scaler Taxidermy Cost Estimator Venison / Fat Blend Ratio (Pearson Square) Venison Cut Yield CalculatorNo calculators match your search.