From 2 different papers presented at this year’s Southeast Deer Study Group, the University of Delaware came up with some interesting results from an agricultural/white-tailed deer study. Looking at soybean and wheat fields, they determined deer browse effects on the yield of beans and wheat by setting up exclusion cages throughout the fields. The study site had a fairly high deer density at 50 deer/sq. mile.

Here’s the interesting part, unless a farmer has only isolated, small fields that can’t withstand browsing by deer and suffers actual plant mortality, there is a good chance that normal deer browsing on soybean and wheat fields actually increase yield. Deer browse increased branching of individual plants which increased yield. I’m sure most farmers would be shocked to hear that, but results don’t lie. The studies also made several other good points. Farmers often complain that the plants around the edge of their fields are always poorer in yield. Sure, deer probably browse on those plants more, but more importantly, those plants don’t get the same amount of light that plants in the rest of the field get. Also, those plants probably experience increased competition from the vegetation and trees around the field border for soil nutrients.

I would think this study will raise some eyebrows, let me know what you think about it.