Source: AgriLife Today
Concerns over corn tainted with Fusarium fungi, which can produce Fumonisin, continue to flow into Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists’ offices, but with the main deer hunting season only days away, the calls are increasingly from concerned hunters feeding corn to deer and less from corn producers, said agency experts.
“Shelled corn is the traditional ‘go-to feed’ in Texas for deer, so it’s understandable there would be concerns considering how much of it is fed to wildlife,” said Dr. John Tomecek, wildlife specialist. Tomecek said it’s best for hunters to be aware of the problem and know what they are buying, but not to be overly concerned.
“I think what is important to remember when we feed corn to free ranging deer, is chances are we aren’t providing much more than a treat to these animals in the greater scheme of their diets,” Tomecek said. “Granted, corn helps provide energy during cooler months and is a great bait for hunting success, but it really doesn’t make up a high percentage of most deer diets.”
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