Ok, I am pretty sure this has already been addressed on this board, and I tried to search this, but is there really much difference between the Brand Name food plot seeds (Biologic, Tecomate, Rackmaster, Whitetail Institute, etc.) and what you can get at the Co-op in a normal blend. Would love to hear your opinions.

Seed is seed. About the only difference might be the amount of trash or weed seeds mixed in. And at the end of the day we are planting this stuff for deer. It's not like we are growing high yield crops or using this as our family garden.

I know you are talking winter plot mixes, but I certainly say the Eagle Seed soybeans are in a class of their own.

Some of them might have access to varieties of the same seed that is somewhat more attractive/vigorous/etc than bulk generic varieties. If you're only planting an acre or two why not give yourself every advantage if you can afford it suppose. I think it would be unaffordable to do any more than a few acres as opposed to generic co-op seed.

I like the WMS blends, they've done well for me.

I would be more concerned with soil health and proper fertilization/nutrient balancing rather than trying to find a magic seed. Cereal grains in a brown bag are just fine for winter plots.

I've had great results with Biologic Green Patch Plus. And yes, it has a picture of a big ol' buck on the bag.

Are you comparing apples to apples or different varieties of seed? Most of the products offered by Tecomate, Biologic, and Whitetail Institute are specialty products that are a good bit different from the brown bag seed blends. I think Rackmaster sells some seed blends that are similar to the brown bag stuff but I'm not sure about the other companies.

If it' got a picture of a big buck on the bag, I'll gladly pay 3x the price. It's got to be worth it.