Peanut Deer Damage and Its Impact on South Georgia Farmers
Applied Research
Holly Anderson
County Extension Agent
University of Georgia
Ocilla
Abstract
Field trials were conducted to evaluate damage and yield loss in peanut production resulting from feeding by white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus in Irwin and Lowndes Counties, Georgia. Peanuts are one of the top crops in the state, with approximately 920,000 acres planted in 2025 according to USDA NASS data. White-tailed deer are causing significant financial strain on Georgia peanut farmers; however, there is currently no reliable method to estimate the amount of yield loss attributable to documented deer feeding. Extension agents from UGA and Fort Valley State University in Irwin and Lowndes Counties, along with the UGA Peanut Team, are working to gather additional data to better quantify these impacts for Georgia peanut producers. Exclusion cages were installed at three locations across two South Georgia counties to prevent deer feeding within designated areas. Each exclusion cage measured 20 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 3 feet high so as not to interfere with spray patterns in the field. Cages were constructed using T-posts, fiberglass posts, and a wildlife exclusion fence designed for residential use. To discourage deer from jumping into the protected areas, a staggered-height fence effect was created by installing a single strand of flagging tape inside the enclosure at a different height than the outer fence. The trial demonstrated a significant negative impact on peanut production due to deer feeding. Harvest weights were reduced by 32%–45% across all three locations. A 32% yield loss in a field averaging 6,000 lb. per acre would equate to a loss of 1,920 lb. per acre, or approximately $480 per acre at a market price of $500 per ton. Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) can also have a substantial impact on peanut yields in Georgia. Across locations, TSWV incidence increased between 5% and 20% in areas where deer were allowed to feed. Estimated yield loss from TSWV is approximately 20 lb. per acre for every 1% increase in disease incidence, which translates to an additional average loss of 100 lb. or more per acre.
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Authors: Holly Anderson, Joshua Dawson
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Anderson, H. County Extension Agent, University of Georgia , Georgia, 31774
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Dawson, J. Couty Extension Agent, Fort Valley State University, Georgia, 31601