Nick,

Good to hear from you! Corn and soybeans are great sources of energy and protein for deer. I’ve switched to planting them separately rather than blended as they can be managed and produce more yield that way. I assume your comment about limestone means you have access to ag lime. The Ozark Mountains, where I live, are limestone mountains. However, the local native pH averages about 5.6. Remember that pH is on a logarithmic scale — the difference between 5.6 and 6.6 is 10 fold. It is always best to have the soil analyzed and add lime and fertilizer per the recommendations based on a site-specific current soil test.

I’ve heard there are some advertisements about brassicas being toxic. This is very unfortunate. Brassicas are a primary forage for the HUGE captive deer industry in New Zealand. I’ve toured those farms and visited with New Zealand researchers. I’m not aware of any toxicity problems with Brassicas. Furthermore, deer have consumed millions of pounds of brassicas in the states and I’m not aware of a single reported toxicity case. Any plant can be toxic if that is the only plant consumed. Deer are very selective feeders, especially wild deer. I rate brassica toxicity a ZERO concern for wild, free-ranging deer.

Growing Deer together,

Grant