Using Pesticides on Food Plot Crops
Filed under: Ask Grant
I’d really like your thoughts on the use of pesticides. In north central Texas we have had a few significant years of grasshopper infestations. This is my first year with plots and they consist simply of Iron Clay Cowpeas. The peas have taken quite a hit from both grasshoppers and Armyworms. I have sprayed pesticide both within and on the outside of the plot and it has made a significant difference to the point I truly believe it has saved the plants. However, I have concern about using poisons with a residual affect for fear of harming the deer or, maybe more importantly, turning the deer off to my foodplot because of the taste. I’d love to get your thoughts on the use of pesticides or strategies for its use (i.e. spraying the outlying areas of the plot only) in situations where pests are so dense not doing something will mean your crops will not be successful. My primary crops will be (spring) peas, some wild game sorghum, and (fall) winter wheat/oats. Jamie
Jamie,
Your questions are very valid. A portion of the answer would depend on what pesticide you are using. However, most of the pesticides used today are very safe for critters except the targeted species. Almost all commercial crops (except the limited organic farmers) are treated with herbicides and to a lesser extent pesticides. Without these tools, the yield would be much, much less. I’m not familiar with any reports of the current herbicides and pesticides products limiting damage to crops by deer (to many farmers dismay).
I always read the label on herbicides and pesticides I may need to use. If you are following the instructions, you and the local deer herd will be fine.
Growing Deer together,
Grant
