Cowpeas are one of the more confusing groups of forages to the hunter or landowner trying to learn about what to plant in their food plots. First of all, cowpeas aren't actually peas, they are beans. Second, they are referred to by many different names including southern peas and field peas. Also, there are countless varieties of cowpeas that are not only grown as forages, but as food for people, and one seed distributor may have a different name for the same variety sold by a different company. The following description should help remove some of the confusion and aid you in selecting the right cowpeas for your food plots.
General characteristics of cowpeas
As a group, cowpeas are warm-season, annual legumes that grow as vines, bushes, or along the ground. They produce a high-protein (25% protein) summer forage that is highly preferred by deer. Deer eat both the foliage and seeds, and the seeds provide a great fall food source for many game birds. Cowpeas are very susceptible to overgrazing so they shouldn't be planted in food plots less than 3 to 5 acres in size depending on the deer density in your area. Deer will begin to graze cowpeas within 45 days of planting, and the seeds mature in 65 to 125 days depending on the variety.
Cowpea site requirements
Cowpeas are adapted to a variety of soil conditions. They can be grown on conditions ranging from sandy soils with low fertility, to fertile, clay soils. However, the best growth and forage production will occur on well-drained sandy loam, and clay. Cowpeas shouldn't be planted in wet soils. Ideal pH for cowpeas is between 6.0 and 6.5, but they will tolerate pH as low as 5.5. While they are very resistant to heat and drought, they are very susceptible to frost.
Northern vs. southern regions
Although best suited for southern areas, cowpeas can be grown in regions as far north as Ontario. However, production is usually lower in the north, and peas are more susceptible to disease and insects when planted in cool soils. Always request varieties that are resistant to diseases, and insects such as root-knot nematodes, curculio weevils and aphids. If growing cowpeas in northern regions, request varieties that will germinate in cool soils and will mature before the first frost.
Cowpea varieties
The following are those most common varieties of cowpeas planted in food plots for deer: Iron, Clay (also referred to as Iron & Clay or Iron-Clay peas), Catjang, Tory, Wilcox, and Thorsby Cream. These peas tend to be viny rather than bushy. Other varieties that are sometimes planted in food plots include: Red Ripper, Whippoorwill, New Era, Groit, Brabham, Victor, Arlington, Columbia, Michigan Favorite, Chinese red pea, Coronet and Tetapeche Gray.
Plant cowpeas with other forages
Again, cowpeas are very susceptible to overgrazing so they should always be planted with other annual forages. The following are some examples of forage mixtures that work well with cowpeas. Each of these mixtures would be planted in the spring.
cowpeas and alyceclover
cowpeas, alyceclover and American jointvetch
cowpeas and grain sorghum
cowpeas, American jointvetch, and corn or sorghum
cowpeas, American jointvetch, soybeans, and corn or sorghum
Want more information?
Click on the link below for more information about cowpeas:
