OT - Deer and Alfalfa

Bill VA · Nov 7, 2015

I gather deer REALLY like to eat alfalfa.

I know this is a very broad question - but how much percentage yield do you loose per year to deer eating your alfalfa? 1%, 5% 20%, 50%,
etc.

When planning an alfalfa field and deer are present - what is a good rule of thumb for deer damage and yield loss?

Thanks!
Bill

Billy NY · Nov 7, 2015

I think its negligible, whitetail deer are not grazers, but are browsers. That's not to say a new stand with sprouts at the early stage may not be appealing to them, even with a heavy population of them, from what I see around here, there just does not seem to be problems with legumes and whitetail deer. I am involved with 3 farms locally, one a long time friend, there is 30 acres of clover and alfalfa mix. The large dairy that planted it, stated that these 2 fields (which was doing poorly in corn) were renovated, provide the highest yield of any other stand they have and they are farming well over 1000 acres. The deer just can't graze enough of it to be of any significance. Canada Geese, now thats a problem, they will decimate any kind of forage crop, new hay crop in no time.

David G · Nov 7, 2015

I would agree with browsing, but they really seem to clean the outside half dozen rows off in a bean field.

onefarmer · Nov 7, 2015

I'm going to say they use up 5% or more, due to their eating and laying in it. I had a field they used as a bedroom/nursery, every night starting @5pm they would come back from where ever they went and camp out.

donjr · Nov 7, 2015

Economically, it can be significant. Back many years ago, there was a study done by Penn State, IIRC, where they planted a 5 acre plot with a deer fence around it, and a plot next to it without the fence. The yield inside the fence pushed 8TPA, where the yield outside was about 5TPA, most of the drop caused by free access by the local deer population. Alfalfa is a favored food....

Traditional Farmer · Nov 7, 2015

Depends on how many deer you have in the area,not a smart A answer but reality and how big
the field is and how much they have to eat in the ajoining area.I plant food plots for myself and others and deer will sometimes eat Crimson Clover into the dirt,had over 20 coming in on a 2 acre plot this past Sept it didn't last long.Good part is you'll have a steady source of high quality meat for the freezer.

hd6gtom · Nov 7, 2015

browers? they are out there morning and night browsing. get a little snow on the ground and all round bales have to be transported 1/4 mile home and stored in the back lot. If I don't- there will be somewhere between 50 and 200 of them standing around the bales destroying them. 3 years ago we baled a load of squares, tarped them and left them on the trailer--they destroyed the bottom outside layer, trailer was parked behind the shop out of site. they had been on top the load their hooves punched holes in the new tarp. If I get a new phone I will post pictures of the da** things later this fall. There is 25 acres of hay across the road they probably consume 1/3 to 1/2 of it each year. DMR wont listen and they don't want to come out before or after working hours to see the pests.

GVSII · Nov 7, 2015

(quoted from post at 07:46:08 11/07/15) I think its negligible, whitetail deer are not grazers, but are browsers. That's not to say a new stand with sprouts at the early stage may not be appealing to them, even with a heavy population of them, from what I see around here, there just does not seem to be problems with legumes and whitetail deer. I am involved with 3 farms locally, one a long time friend, there is 30 acres of clover and alfalfa mix. The large dairy that planted it, stated that these 2 fields (which was doing poorly in corn) were renovated, provide the highest yield of any other stand they have and they are farming well over 1000 acres. The deer just can't graze enough of it to be of any significance. Canada Geese, now thats a problem, they will decimate any kind of forage crop, new hay crop in no time.

They are browsers AND grazers.They don't mind sharing pasture grass with cows.You should see them work over a food plot planted and cultivated by a hunter!

Dick2 · Nov 7, 2015

Antelope are also hard on hay fields and baled hay. Many farmers/ranchers store their hay in the yard, with fencing around the stack. However, when the snow gets deep, the antelope go right to the farmyard and get at the stacks. They are clever figuring out how to get to the hay when they are hungry.

RBoots · Nov 7, 2015

Half a dozen!? Lucky! Around here they will take about 40' from the edge of woods and fencerows. Also do in about 20 rows of corn. Darn things are THICK around here.

Ross

GordoSD · Nov 7, 2015

You can get guys to PAY YOU to kill them.

Bill VA · Nov 12, 2015

Thanks everyone, I appreciate everyone's replies!

Bill

OT - Deer and Alfalfa

Bill VA

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Billy NY

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David G

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onefarmer

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donjr

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Traditional Farmer

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hd6gtom

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GVSII

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Dick2

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RBoots

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GordoSD

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Bill VA

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