In the next 4-5 weeks I'm hoping to get 10-15 acres of seed in the ground for a warm season food source. I have had success in the past with iron and clay peas and sunflowers (some success with soybeans). With the cost of everything going up I am looking for suggestions for the most cost-effective thing to plant. Also, consideration of fertilizer requirements is important.

Alabama waterfowl association if you can find a source .

Cheapest route planting would have been to plant perennial clovers in the fall and maintain them. For summer planting, iron clay peas with something to climb on usually does alright. My experience with peas has been mediocre. Wms pea patch is a blend of clay peas, soybean, lab lab, sunflowers and buckwheat. Last I checked it was $55 a bag per acre. Don’t know your situation, but the most cost effective and best performer has always been improving native browse.

Plant sunn hemp with clay peas and soybeans. Be sure to use innoculent.

If you already have weeds that grow on your plots just disc them and fertilize them the deer will love it. There is nothing cheaper or better. Deer love Goldenrod, Ragweed, Pokeweed, Partridge Peas and about anything else that grows with these.