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Impacts of Deer Herbivory Quantified in Florida Peanut

Agronomy & Pest Management

Ethan Carter
Regional Crop IPM Agent II
Jackson County Extension
Marianna

Abstract

Background: Whitetail deer herbivory in row crops has been a growing concern among producers in Florida. There have been no formal studies quantifying the impact of deer herbivory in peanut. This dearth of information has caused problems obtaining funding for research related to deer deterrents and other herbivory management strategies. The lack of information also makes it more difficult to communicate the severity of this issue to lawmakers.  Objectives: The primary objective of this research effort was to quantify the impact of deer herbivory on peanut yield. Data relating to plant height and stem count were also collected. Methods: At planting, specially designed exclusion cages (30’ x 7.5’ and 3’ tall) were constructed; two placed in each commercial peanut field. There were six fields and 12 cages for year one in 2024 and the project expanded to 16 cages and eight fields in 2025 with year two. Cages were constructed of t-posts and wire panels with a wire top. This design excluded deer and allowed for the effective application of crop protection products. Each cage contained two twin rows of peanut. During the growing season, caged areas were managed like the rest of the field. Plant height and stem count were evaluated during the season. Cages were removed immediately prior to peanut harvest. Yield was measured in each caged area and compared to an immediately adjacent uncaged area of the same size. Results There was high variability in yield across fields, but overall peanut yield was lower when plants were exposed to deer herbivory. Yield loss due to herbivory ranged 0 to 87% in 2024, the 2025 data is currently being processed but will be available at time of conference for more elaboration. Plant height and stem count were also lower outside the cages. Conclusions: These findings confirm that deer herbivory can result in appreciable yield loss in peanut. Further research is underway to further validate these findings and test chemical deterrent efficacy.

Authors: Ethan Carter, Mark Mauldin, Kalyn Waters, Brandon McDonald, Nigel Williams, Lydia Bolton, Barry Tillman, Sudeep Sidhu, Carolina Baruzzi
  1. Ethan Carter Regional Crop IPM Agent II , , Florida, 32448
  2. Mark Mauldin Washington County Ag Agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 32428
  3. Kalyn Waters Holmes County Ag Agent & County Extension Director, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 32425
  4. Brandon McDonald Graduate Student, UF/IFAS, Florida, 32351
  5. Nigel Williams Graduate Student, UF/IFAS, Florida, 32351
  6. Lydia Bolton Agricultural/Food Scientist I, UF/IFAS, Florida, 32351
  7. Barry Tillman UF Peanut Breeder, UF/IFAS , Florida, 32446
  8. Sudeep Sidhu Agronomist, UF/IFAS, Florida, 32351
  9. Carolina Baruzzi Wildlife Ecology & Management, UF/IFAS, Florida, 32351