Soybeans: Is Eagle Seed worth the money?

[Missouri Pioneer]

One of Grant Woods' sponsors for his Growing Deer TV (which I highly recommend) is Eagle Seeds. The info on their website is tempting, but their prices seem high to me.

Has anyone here used Eagle Seed Forage Soybeans for your foodplots? Is it worth the money?

How about milo? Any recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[dusty3030]

I don't know where you are, but if you have a ag seed dealer or co op nearby call or talk to a crop consultant / salesman and tell them what you want and about your land / growing conditions and they will be the best advice. They also being local will know what grows best in your area and soils.
I personally wouldn't pay a premium for soybean or milo seed for a foodplot and I wouldn't get roundup ready either. Plant the edges in native grasses that will grow up tall and your plot in the middle. Have a place to hide and eat for the deer.

 

[Missouri Pioneer]

According to the conservation agent who visited our farm, most all of our fields are native grasses.

 

[Smallplot]

Being from MO, here is something to think about. Soybeans provide a draw while they are green then after they dry down (for the beans in late winter) When the soys are turning brown and beginning their drying process how many deer do you see eating them? Probably not many.

Ag beans are bred to make pods and dry down quickly where as forage beans are bred to make forage as long as possible then make pods (I.E. long maturity rates). In some cases because of the maturity dates, the forage beans will die due to frost before they begin putting on pods.

If you are looking for a summer food source then you may want to look at the Eagle forage beans. If you are looking for a food source available to deer later into the winter months then you are probably looking towards the Ag beans. Real World beans are Ag beans with a high torrence against shattering. If purchasing Ag beans from a dealer you need to get the best shatter resistant qualities.

So to answer your question, yes, if you are looking for a summer forage and no if looking into a late season food source unless you have an extended growing season. Just my 2 cents

 

[super55]

Never have used them but for a forage been and for adding N into the soil Eagle beans are hard to beat from what I've read in other forums. If your looking for pod production Ag beans will probably offer a better alternative. Groups like Nat. wild Turkey Fed and Pheasants forever usually sell RR corn and soybeans for about 10 dollars a bag but you have to get your orders in the fall.

 

[hrcarver]

They cutoff depends on deer density, but for under 5 acres definitely yes.

Over 10, probably not.

Miilo, IMO is only worth about a quarter of what a soybean plot is. There is no summer forage with milo and the winter forage is less beneficial than beans. The plus side is that you can do milo more easily on smaller acreage.

 

[Baranx4]

Never have used them but for a forage been and for adding N into the soil Eagle beans are hard to beat from what I've read in other forums. If your looking for pod production Ag beans will probably offer a better alternative. Groups like Nat. wild Turkey Fed and Pheasants forever usually sell RR corn and soybeans for about 10 dollars a bag but you have to get your orders in the fall.

My local NWTF hasn't gotten any seed for members in a few years but with PF soy and corn are 12.50 a bag

 

[Missouri Pioneer]

My local NWTF hasn't gotten any seed for members in a few years but with PF soy and corn are 12.50 a bag

I looked at the Pheasants Forever website Food Plot Seed : Pheasants Forever MarketPlace!, The Habitat Organization and the NWTF Hunting For Deals, Hunting Gear: National Wild Turkey Federation and the prices are much higher than what you mention for all the seed.

If you could provide some specific contact info to get the discounted seed, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[super55]

The prices I mentioned aren't listed on the organizational websites because the wildlife seed programs are run by local chapters.

The way the system works is the local chapters get donated seed from seed producers like pioneer, delkab, and various major seed producers. Most seed producers won't sell year old seed unless the previous year's crop was a complete failure and have no other choice. To keep prices high all the old seed will be destroyed or it can be donated to non-profit organizations with the agreement that the seed will be used for the sole purpose of food plots only.

Not all local chapters of PF or NWTF participate in these programs but the ones that are in the grain belt or have seed producers in there state might or might know a chapter that does.