Soybeans Food Plot Guide
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
Seed Rate
50
lbs/acre
Fertilizer
200
lbs/acre (0-20-20)
Depth
1 to 1
Products
1
available
Overview
Soybeans are the premier warm-season food plot crop, offering deer two distinct feeding opportunities: lush green forage browse in summer, and protein-rich bean pods in fall and winter. A mature soybean plot that holds its leaves and pods into hunting season is one of the most effective deer attractors you can plant. The challenge is that deer love soybeans SO much that small plots (under 2-3 acres) get browsed to nothing before the plants can produce beans. Successful soybean food plots generally require either large acreage or forage-tolerant varieties bred specifically for deer (like Eagle Forage or Real World's Generation 2) that regrow after heavy browsing.
New to food plots? Read our beginner's guide for step-by-step planting instructions, or use the Soybeans seed calculator to plan your plot.
Why Deer Love Soybeans
Soybeans are a nutritional powerhouse — 25-35% crude protein in the foliage and 35-40% protein in the bean pods. Deer browse soybean leaves heavily from June through September, and once pods develop, soybean plots become primary fall feeding destinations. Standing soybeans in December and January are among the most valuable late-season food sources on any property. The combination of summer browse and fall grain makes soybeans a dual-purpose crop that feeds deer for 6+ months.
Soil & Growing Conditions
Best Soil Types
Well-drained, fertile loam or clay-loam. Soybeans are less forgiving of poor soil than cereal grains — they need decent ground to produce a crop.
Soil pH Range
6.0–7.0 (ideal 6.5). Proper pH is critical for the nitrogen-fixing bacteria that soybeans depend on.
Planting Depth
1 to 1.5 inches in good moisture. Soybeans need good seed-to-soil contact to germinate reliably.
Check our planting calendar for the best planting window in your state.
Planting Tips
- 1
Plant after all frost danger has passed and soil temps reach 60°F. Soybeans will NOT tolerate frost.
- 2
Use forage-specific soybean varieties (Real World Gen 2, Eagle Forage) that tolerate heavy deer browse. Standard farm beans won't survive deer pressure.
- 3
Plant at least 2-3 acres if deer density is moderate to high. Small soybean plots get browsed to nothing.
- 4
Inoculate seed if planting in ground that hasn't grown soybeans in the last 3 years.
- 5
Consider planting soybeans in the interior of your property and cereal grains on the edges — deer will use cereal grain plots first and 'discover' the soybeans.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Planting too small of a plot — the #1 soybean food plot failure. Deer will eat a half-acre soybean plot to dirt by August.
Using farm-variety soybeans — Round-Up Ready soybeans aren't bred for browse tolerance. Use forage varieties.
Planting too early in cold soil — soybeans rot in soil below 55°F. Wait for warmth.
Not fencing or buffering — in areas with extreme deer density, consider temporary electric fence to let the plot establish before opening it to deer.
Recommended Soybeans Seed Products
Plant BioLogic
Game Changer Forage Soybeans
Glyphosate tolerant soybeans with good height, great stress tolerance, and an excellent disease package. High protein forage ideal for providing nutrition for antler, body weight, and fawn growth. Indeterminate growth type suitable for most all soil types with glyphosate-resistant weed control.
Find Best Price ↗Best Paired With
These crops complement soybeans in a food plot rotation or mix:
Frequently Asked Questions
What soil type is best for soybeans food plots?▾
Well-drained, fertile loam or clay-loam. Soybeans are less forgiving of poor soil than cereal grains — they need decent ground to produce a crop. Ideal soil pH: 6.0–7.0 (ideal 6.5). Proper pH is critical for the nitrogen-fixing bacteria that soybeans depend on..
How deep should you plant soybeans seed?▾
1 to 1.5 inches in good moisture. Soybeans need good seed-to-soil contact to germinate reliably.
How much soybeans seed do you need per acre?▾
The recommended seeding rate for soybeans is 50 lbs per acre. Apply 200 lbs/acre of 0-20-20 fertilizer.
Why do deer like soybeans?▾
Soybeans are a nutritional powerhouse — 25-35% crude protein in the foliage and 35-40% protein in the bean pods. Deer browse soybean leaves heavily from June through September, and once pods develop, soybean plots become primary fall feeding destinations. Standing soybeans in December and January are among the most valuable late-season food sources on any property. The combination of summer browse and fall grain makes soybeans a dual-purpose crop that feeds deer for 6+ months.
What are common mistakes when planting soybeans food plots?▾
Planting too small of a plot — the #1 soybean food plot failure. Deer will eat a half-acre soybean plot to dirt by August. Using farm-variety soybeans — Round-Up Ready soybeans aren't bred for browse tolerance. Use forage varieties. Planting too early in cold soil — soybeans rot in soil below 55°F. Wait for warmth. Not fencing or buffering — in areas with extreme deer density, consider temporary electric fence to let the plot establish before opening it to deer.
What crops grow well with soybeans in a food plot?▾
Soybeans pairs well with corn, lablab in a food plot rotation or mix.
Map Your Soybeans Plot
Draw your food plot on satellite imagery, get seed recommendations, and plan your planting.
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