Minnesota farmers battle deer-induced crop damage

By Scout Nelson

In Minnesota, farmers are grappling with a growing challenge: voracious deer causing extensive damage to crop and stored feed. This issue, widespread across the state, has resulted in substantial financial losses, particularly during the winter season. The situation is so severe that some farmers have reported tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

The primary concern for these farmers is the destruction of hay and grain storage piles, essential for cattle feed. During harsh winters, deer, attracted to these accessible feed sources, not only consume significant quantities but also contaminate the remaining feed, rendering it unusable.

This problem isn't limited to feed loss. The Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association notes that deer, in large numbers, pose a risk of spreading diseases to cattle, including bovine tuberculosis and various viruses. Although there's no current evidence linking deer to the transmission of chronic wasting disease to cattle, the risk of disease spread remains a significant worry.

Farmers have explored various methods to mitigate this issue, including fencing, which often proves cost-prohibitive due to the size of storage areas. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has acknowledged the problem, receiving hundreds of deer damage claims annually.

The DNR has a program to assist farmers with fencing costs, but funding limitations and staffing shortages have led to backlogs in addressing these claims.

The challenges extend beyond cattle farms. Soybean growers, for instance, have experienced reduced crop yields due to deer consuming young plants. The situation has become so dire that some fields record less than half of their potential harvestable product.

Addressing this issue is complex. The DNR is exploring regulatory and statutory changes, including potential policy initiatives.

One area of focus is changing hunting patterns to encourage the harvesting of more female deer, as current trends towards hunting primarily bucks do not significantly impact population control.

As the state prepares to bring potential solutions to lawmakers, Minnesota farmers continue to seek effective ways to protect their livelihoods from the growing deer population. This situation underscores the ongoing conflict between wildlife and agricultural land use, posing challenges that require innovative and collaborative solutions.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-jessicahyde