What's going to happen to deer in agricultural areas?
- Thread starter BenA
- Start date
So many influences. In AR, the mississippi alluvial delta area along the Miss river grows by far the most ag products in the state. It also grows by far the biggest deer. There are also thousands and thousands of deer killed every summer on the depredation permits many farmers have to protect their beans. In this area, there may be more deer left alive if they dont eat beans. In addition in the same area, the 160,000 acre White River National Wildlife Refuge, also grows some monsters that never see a bean. I suspect the native vegetation the deer eat year round benefit from the rich soil - benefitting the deer their whole life. I would suspect one major aspect of big buck production in our state is as much the fact that all the bean fields are on high dollar private land and the deer herd is managed by many land owners for older bucks - as opposed to the White River NWR - managed for public use. A lot going on here
BenA
5 year old buck +
I'm referring to the plants themselves, not the beans.
Mortenson
5 year old buck +
Is it possible? To some extent I'm sure it is. But the bean is a part of the plant. Are there examples of this currently in nature or ag?
Mortenson
5 year old buck +
Aren't there more no-till acres now than ever before?
BenA
5 year old buck +
They're genetically modifying for all types of traits in beans and other crops. They're actively trying to modify for taste in soybean leaves that will make the plants unpalatable so they can make beans. There are sprays which can work short-term, but isn't economical or efficient.
There may be more no-till acres than ever before, but it still pales in comparison to tilled ground. Where our duck lease is, I dont know of a single no till field in the area
Mortenson
5 year old buck +
I'm curious to learn about it. Do you have a link?
BenA
5 year old buck +
Here's the most recent study I believe. They weren't successful, but they're trying. I don't believe they'd be researching it if they didn't think it was possible. https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=13682&context=utk_gradthes
Mortenson
5 year old buck +
In my area, corn rootworm is a big problem. In many cases, crop rotation helps solve that. There's now extended diapause. It makes the pest rotation resistant until corn is in the rotation. GMO corn traits are a tool in the toolbox. I don't think root feeding is toxic to the worm, but rather they take a bite and don't prefer it, so they wiggle to the next root and repeat, instead of sitting there and feeding on the entire root. Refuge kernels of seed are mixed in the bag to help prevent pest adaptation.
Mortenson
5 year old buck +
I don't know if I'd go that far! lol
BenA
5 year old buck +
Very true. I believe more that it's fueled by the ag industry that WANT it to be true to be able to help in the crop depredation battle.
What is stopping you - have at it. Usually learn about as much down in the weeds
TreeDaddy
5 year old buck +
thanks
Lemme get my popcorn first
Bet Farmer Dan is also warming up in the bullpen
bill
Im a firm believe Ma Nature always helps the critters out. Even with aspects likes drones or cell cams.... people wont win. Our farmer here uses Milgromite or some sort of deterrent on his beans. I cant stand the guy's farming practices as he foliar sprays too much and does not do much if anything for the soil. Nonetheless, when it rains....the deer come out more.....harder or longer rains have more and more deer presence. With each modification there will be both positives and negatives. It will balance.....as will farming and conservation which are mortal enemies behind closed doors.
Tree Spud
5 year old buck +
"Milorganite" ... It is byproduct from anaerobic digestors for human waste. Made in Milwaukee. The smell is supposed to deter deer.
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