Deer Feeding Damage
scouted May 29, 2024
- Background
- Soybeans were scouted at the V2 growth stage and signs of prominent deer feeding were observed. This field is close to a tree line on one side. These were soybeans planted in research plots and the damage observed was concentrated to a single area of the field. These soybeans were planted in late April and there has been a lot of deer injury observed on early planted soybeans this year.
- Conclusion
- This injury was confirmed by an NC State Extension Specialist as damage from deer feeding. Damage from deer feeding or grazing can depend on the size and location of a field in correlation to tree lines or other preferable food sources, the time spent grazing, as well as the growth stage at the time of feeding. In some areas of this environment the deer ate below the cotyledonary node. These plants will not recover. However, in many areas of this environment the deer did not eat below the cotyledonary node. These plants will have the opportunity to recover.
- Resources
