Matt,

Corn and soybeans can be mixed, especially if they are both Roundup Ready varieties. However more yield can be produced if the beans and corn are planted separately. Without knowing the deer density/forage production ratio at your farm, it’s impossible to give an accurate recommendation of what to plant. However, I’d rather plant two acres of forage soybeans and one acre of corn compared to 3 acres of beans and corn mixed. This plan allows for each crop to be appropriately fertilized and planted at optimal times. Corn should be planted when the soil temperature is 55 degrees and soybeans planted at 62 degrees. I monitor the temperature at about 9 AM as this is typically when the soils will be coolest all day.

When the existing clover and alfalfa stands become weak, forage soybeans can be rotated in that portion of the field. If you find that the combination of forage soybeans and corn provides more tonnage throughout the year compared to the current crops, it will be easy to rotate corn and soybeans throughout the six acres.

Growing Deer together,

Grant