As their names implies, annual plants grow for a single season.  They sprout, grow, produce a seed head, and then die. Annual species are fast-growing, high-yielding forage varieties that must be planted every year. Typically, they can be planted during the spring (warm-season annuals) or fall (cool-season annuals).

Perennials can last up to three years—or longer in some situations. They take longer to establish but have longer survival rates. These plants have a high protein content, increased palatability, and digestibility.

These blends provide the best of both worlds in one food plot. Some plants grow large amounts of biomass quickly, while others provide consistent growth over several years.