By: Bob Westerfield

Bob Westerfield is a faculty member in the Horticulture department for the University of Georgia. He serves as the department Extension coordinator as well as a state vegetable and fruit specialist. Bob lives on a small farm in Pike County, Georgia, where he raises livestock and manages his land for whitetails and wild turkeys. Bob is an avid bowhunter, preferring to use traditional equipment in the form of a longbow and primitive black powder rifle. He is now contributing the "Food Plot Species Profile" series in every issue of QDMA's Quality Whitetails magazine.

Ladino Clover for Deer | A Step-by-Step Guide

Mar 15, 2022 Bob Westerfield

This article was updated on March 15, 2022 Few things are more attractive in the deer food plot world than a solid stand of ladino clover, particularly when it is still there after the third…

Food Plot Species Profile: Crimson Clover

Sep 6, 2013 Bob Westerfield

Chances are if you’ve ever bought a commercial cool-season food plot blend, you have probably planted crimson clover. Crimson clover is a cool-season annual (in southern states) that is relatively easy to grow and is…

Food Plot Species Profile: Austrian Winter Peas

Jul 5, 2013 Bob Westerfield

Austrian winter peas are a cool-season annual legume that can produce a great food plot on their own or as an addition to a seed mixture planted in the fall to attract deer. Easy to…

Food Plot Species Profile: Grain Sorghum

Mar 20, 2013 Bob Westerfield

My first introduction to sorghum was on a dove field over 25 years ago. The land manager had planted several strips of sorghum that not only provided a good seed source for the birds but…

Food Plot Species Profile: Sugar Beets

Nov 21, 2012 Bob Westerfield

For a unique addition to your whitetail food plot smorgasbord, try adding sugar beets. Sugar beets are actually an agricultural crop that is commonly grown for sucrose production. Farmers grow this large root-producing plant and…

How to Blood-Trail a Deer

Sep 21, 2012 Bob Westerfield

You have worked hard on your land all season long preparing food plots, hanging stands and clearing trails. Finally, the season has arrived and the moment of truth has just walked into your luscious food…

Food Plot Species Profile: Chicory

Aug 29, 2012 Bob Westerfield

For a change of pace, try growing chicory – a tough cool-season perennial crop that is a preferred deer forage – in your next fall food plot. This nutritious broadleaf crop is actually in the…

Food Plot Species Profile: Turnips

Jun 22, 2012 Bob Westerfield

It is always fun to experiment with new crops when it comes to building food plots and seeing which ones are most attractive to the resident deer population. One such crop I have enjoyed playing…

Food Plot Species Profile: Cowpeas

May 30, 2012 Bob Westerfield

For a fast-germinating summer food plot or early bow-season hotspot, try planting some cowpeas. Cowpeas, Vigna unguiculata, are a warm-season annual that can be grown throughout the United States. Often called iron-and-clay pea or black…

Food Plot Species Profile: Corn

Apr 23, 2012 Bob Westerfield

The first time I hunted over a corn patch, I remember seeing the stalks moving as my imagined 10-point buck worked his way to the end of the row. I waited with intense anticipation as…