BIG RIVER™
BUILT FOR BIG PROPERTIES.
Premium cool-season forage engineered to cover more acres, feed more deer, and perform under heavy hunting pressure.
PERFECT FOR
• Large food plot programs
• High deer densities
• Maximizing acres
✔ High Forage Production
✔ Excellent Browse Tolerance
✔ Season-Long Attraction
✔ Outstanding Value Per Acre
✔ Proven At The Testing Grounds™
Couldn't load pickup availability
Find BIG RIVER™ Near You
Enter your location to see the closest dealers currently carrying Backwoods BIG RIVER™
BIG RIVER™
SIX REASONS HUNTERS PLANT BIG RIVER™
More Forage. More Acres. More Opportunities.
High Forage Production
Produces abundant cool-season forage capable of feeding more deer across larger food plot systems.
Built For Heavy Browse
A durable blend of cereal grains and clovers continues producing under moderate to heavy grazing pressure.
Establishes Fast
Rapid-germinating cereal grains quickly create attractive green forage while perennial clovers become established.
Dependable All Season
Cold-hardy species continue producing from early fall through late winter across a wide range of conditions.
IMPROVES FUTURE PLOTS
Crimson and ladino clovers naturally contribute nitrogen while improving soil health for future plantings.
MAXIMIZES LARGE PROPERTIES
An excellent choice for planting multiple food plots, larger acreages, and feeding more deer without sacrificing performance.
IS BIG RIVER™ THE RIGHT CHOICE?
What To Expect
See how Big River™ develops throughout the growing season.
7-14 Days
Rapid Establishment
Fast-germinating wheat, oats, and triticale establish quickly, creating early green forage while protecting the soil and reducing weed competition.
30 Days
Forage Explosion
The cereal grains explode with lush, highly preferred growth as crimson and ladino clovers begin establishing beneath the canopy.
After First Frost
Continued Performance
Annual cereal grains naturally decline while the perennial ladino clover continues producing high-protein forage and crimson clover contributes nitrogen to improve future soil productivity.
Spring
Peak Nutrition
Maximum forage production supports antler growth, doe health, and fawn development.
WHAT'S INSIDE BIG RIVER™
EVERY INGREDIENT HAS A PURPOSE
Every species was selected to perform a specific job—working together to maximize forage production, withstand heavy browse
pressure, and provide dependable attraction throughout the fall and winter.
Highly preferred, digestible forage that establishes quickly and attracts deer early in the season.
Produces abundant, highly palatable forage that delivers dependable nutrition throughout the hunting season.
Adds exceptional biomass, cold tolerance, and season-long forage production under a wide range of conditions.
Produces high-protein forage while naturally fixing nitrogen to improve soil fertility for future plantings.
Provides highly digestible perennial forage that continues producing into spring with proper fertility and management.
Adds highly preferred leafy forage and energy-rich bulbs that become increasingly attractive after frost.
Because Average Just Won't Cut It.™
Built To Feed More Deer Across More Acres.
Where & When To Plant
Big River™ performs best when planted during late summer to early fall.
Zone 1: October - November
Zone 2: September - October
Zone 3: Late August - October
Zone 4: Mid-August - Late September
Zone 5: September - October
Zone 6: Late July - August
PLANTING RULE
• Soil temperatures below 70°F and falling
• Plant 45–60 days before average first frost
• Plant just ahead of a soaking rainfall
Planting windows are general guidelines and may vary by local elevation, climate, and seasonal weather conditions.
Planting At A Glance
Coverage
Up To 1/2 Acre
Planting Depth
1/4" - 3/4"
Planting Method
Broadcast or Drill
Sunlight
Full To Partial Sun
Soil Ph
6.0 - 7.0
Moisture
Moderate
Common Mistakes
✗ Planting too early into hot soils
✗ Planting too deep
✗ Skipping fertilizer
✗ Underestimating browse pressure
View Full Planting Instructions
PREPARATION
Begin with a clean, firm seedbed to promote even seed distribution and excellent seed-to-soil contact. Remove existing weeds and vegetation before planting. For no-till applications, terminate existing vegetation before planting.
SOIL TEST & FERTILITY
For best results, conduct a soil test and adjust soil pH to 6.0–7.0 as needed. Apply fertilizer according to soil test recommendations. For maximum establishment, forage production, and season-long performance, pair Big
River™ with Fuel™ Cereal Grains, specifically formulated for cool-season food
plots.
PLANTING RATE
Broadcast (Prepared Seedbed): 100 lbs/acre
Broadcast (No-Till): 120–125 lbs/acre
Drill: 75 lbs/acre
PLANTING DEPTH
Broadcast: Lightly incorporate seed ¼–½ inch deep using a drag, cultipacker, or roller.
Drill: Plant ½–¾ inch deep for the best
balance of cereal grain, clover, and turnip establishment.
TIMING
Plant Big River™ when soil temperatures decline to approximately 55–65°F, typically 45–60 days before your area's average first frost. Planting during cooler conditions promotes rapid establishment, vigorous fall growth, and maximum forage production.
MOISTURE
Adequate soil moisture is essential for rapid germination and uniform establishment. Plant just ahead of expected rainfall whenever
possible and avoid planting into dry soil. Consistent moisture produces a
thicker, more productive stand.
ADJUSTING FOR PLS & GERMINATION
Recommended planting rates assume 100% Pure Live Seed (PLS)
and 100% germination. Actual seed quality varies by lot. To determine an
adjusted planting rate, divide the recommended seeding rate by the PLS
percentage multiplied by the germination percentage (both expressed as
decimals). Adjusting for PLS and germination helps ensure proper stand density and maximize forage production.
Build Your Complete Fall Hunting Program
Step 1: Build Fertility
Step 2: Plant Big River™
Step 3: Increase Attraction
Step 4: Supplement Your Herd
Step 5: Increase Mineral Intake
Step 6: Reliable Feed Delivery
Step 7: Spring Overseed
EVERY PRODUCT MUST EARN THE BACKWOODS® NAME.
Nothing earns the Backwoods® name until it proves itself in the field.
Every Backwoods® food plot, attractant, mineral, supplement, and feeder is developed and evaluated under real hunting conditions—not just test plots or research stations.
If it doesn't perform for us, it never reaches your property.
We don't build products to sell. We build products we trust enough to use ourselves.
Tested by hunters. Proven by deer.
At The Testing Grounds™
• Hundreds of acres evaluated
• Year-round field testing
• Real hunting pressure
• Properties in multiple regions
• Trail camera monitored
• Product performance documented
NOT SURE WHICH PLOT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Best For Large Properties
Best For: Hunters managing larger acreages who want dependable forage production, excellent browse tolerance, and outstanding value across multiple food plots.
Best Overall Fall Blend
Best For: Hunters wanting one premium cool-season blend that combines outstanding forage production, season-long attraction, and long-term soil improvement.
Protein Booster
Best For: Hunters wanting premium winter peas and one of the most attractive cool-season food plots available.
Concealment
Best For: Hunters wanting immediate fall attraction while establishing a productive perennial clover and chicory food plot.
Real Plots. Real Deer. Real Results.
PROVEN IN THE REAL WORLD
Every photo on this page comes from real Backwoods® food plots planted and evaluated at The Testing Grounds™ and on customer properties across the country. No stock photography. No staged results. Just real-world performance.
Know Before You Grow
WHY SHOULD I PLANT BIG RIVER™
Big River™ is designed for hunters managing larger properties or multiple food plots who want dependable forage production,
excellent browse tolerance, and season-long performance without sacrificing
quality.
WHAT MAKE BIG RIVER™ DIFFERENT FROM GENESIS™
Genesis™ is our premium all-around blend focused on balancing attraction, nutrition, and soil improvement. Big River™ is built to
maximize forage production, tolerate heavy browse pressure, and perform across
larger acreages.
WHEN SHOULD I PLANT BIG RIVER™?
Plant when soil temperatures decline to approximately 55–65°F, typically 45–60 days before your area's average first frost, and when adequate soil moisture is available.
WILL BIG RIVER™ HANDLE HEAVY BROWSE PRESSURE?
Yes. The blend's high percentage of cereal grains produces abundant forage and helps withstand moderate to heavy browsing, making it an excellent choice for properties with larger deer populations.
WHY DOES BIG RIVER™ CONTAIN THREE DIFFERENT CEREAL GRAINS?
Each cereal grain contributes something different. Black oats establish quickly and are highly attractive, wheat provides dependable nutrition, and triticale adds forage volume, cold tolerance, and extended production.
WHAT FERTILIZER SHOULD I USE?
For maximum establishment and forage production, pair Big River™ with Backwoods Fuel™ Cereal Grains and follow soil test recommendations for future fertilizer applications.
WHAT IF WEEDS START TAKING OVER?
The best weed control begins before planting. Start with a clean seedbed, maintain proper fertility, and establish a vigorous stand. Big River™ naturally competes well with many weeds once established, but post-emergence herbicide options are limited due to the diverse species in the blend.
CAN I PLANT BIG RIVER™ EVERY YEAR?
Yes. Big River™ is designed as an annual cool-season blend and can be replanted each fall. Over time, the clover component and large volume of plant residue help improve soil structure and organic matter.