Hunters and landowners are always looking for ways to improve their food-plot management. Forage grown in food plots provides essential energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals needed by many wildlife species when natural browse and food are in short supply or of poor quality. Forage testing is a common practice used by many livestock, hay and forage producers to evaluate forage nutrient content. Forage testing can also be used to detect nutrient deficiencies and trouble spots in a food plot.
High forage quality and high production are two elements of good food plot management. White-tailed deer have different nutritional needs at different times of the year and across life phases. Does need a higher level of nutrition during gestation and after the birth of fawns until weaning time. As milk intake drops and solid food consumption increases, forage quality becomes more important in the diet of a fawn. From about three and a half to five months of age, fawns can add about a half pound of body mass each day, less from lactation and more from browse and forage they begin to consume. Bucks benefit from higher nutrition levels, including protein and essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus, during spring antler development and after the rut to regain lost body fat and restore muscle mass.
I have always wondered why food plot managers go to all the effort and expense to plant, fertilize and control weeds and pests in their food plots, yet seldom submit a forage sample for nutrient analysis. For a nominal fee, you can have your food plot forage analyzed for standard minerals, crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). These laboratory tests are used to help measure forage quality. Remember, not all forages are created equal. The only way to determine their nutritional value is to conduct forage analysis.
The most important step in forage testing is taking a representative sample. Remember, deer are picky eaters (concentrate selectors) and tend to select the most nutritious plant parts. Therefore, you want the sample to accurately represent what deer are actually consuming. Pick the most tender leaves or plant parts that deer or turkey will browse. Most food plots consist of a mixture of forage species, so it would be wise to sample each species separately for a more accurate picture of the nutritional value of your food plot. If you are testing forages for suspected nutrient deficiencies, submit two samples, one from normal growing plants and one from plants that appear to be having problems. That way, you can compare the analysis from healthy plants versus poorly growing plants. Forage testing food plots is not for everyone. But if you want to maximize your food plot production and the quality of your forages, submit a forage sample for analysis. The results may surprise you!
Author
Marion Barnes, Agronomy and Natural Resources Agent, Clemson Extension
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
