Sharing for Awareness
"MSU Deer Lab Corn Feeder Survey
Landowners/Leaseholders,
This year the MSU Deer Lab updated us on a few research projects concerning corn feeders and wildlife (mainly turkeys and deer). Here are some of the highlights:
Aflatoxin Study
Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds that can cause liver damage, and at some levels death in certain wildlife.
Corn producers test their corn before selling it. In order to be sold for human or livestock consumption it must be below a 20-50 ppm level.
However, if it is above 20-50 ppm, it can be sold as "Deer Corn" or "Wildlife Corn" since these are unregulated.
At 100-200 ppm it can affect quail, turkey poults (baby turkeys), and other small birds - liver damage and death in small birds; decreased egg production and eggshell quality.
At 800 ppm it can affect fawns - reduced body weights, liver damage, reduced feed consumption; in adult does it can reduce milk production.
The good news is that when MSU tested bags of corn the average Aflatoxin level was 13 ppm (ranged 5-23 ppm), and in feeders averaged 58 ppm (ranged 9-139 ppm).
However, the bad news is that when they put corn on the ground (such as with spillage, getting tossed out by animals, or spin cast feeders) and tested it daily after getting wet the levels were 400 ppm by day 5, and 1700 ppm by day 7.
In order for Alfatoxins to grow the conditions must be above 55 degrees F and above 60% humidity. We all know this can be almost any day in Mississippi, but this definitely means it can happen March-October.
Parasite Study
The main parasite of concern was a Protozoa named Coccidia. This has been known to cause die-offs of domestic and wild game birds.
This study found that Coccidia was present 5x more often at feeder sites than non-feeder sites.
Bucks Movement Study
Bucks used food plots 4x more than feeders and used food plots more during the day compared to feeders. Furthermore, when comparing buck movements of deer in areas with access to corn feeders compared to deer that did not have access to corn feeders, the bucks that used feeders:
moved more often at night
moved less often and bedded down more
moved shorter distances
Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested.
Thank you,
Pierce Young
Private Lands Wildlife Biologist
MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks
1505 Eastover Drive
Jackson, MS 39211-6374
(662) 549-0451
[email protected]"
"MSU Deer Lab Corn Feeder Survey
Landowners/Leaseholders,
This year the MSU Deer Lab updated us on a few research projects concerning corn feeders and wildlife (mainly turkeys and deer). Here are some of the highlights:
Aflatoxin Study
Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds that can cause liver damage, and at some levels death in certain wildlife.
Corn producers test their corn before selling it. In order to be sold for human or livestock consumption it must be below a 20-50 ppm level.
However, if it is above 20-50 ppm, it can be sold as "Deer Corn" or "Wildlife Corn" since these are unregulated.
At 100-200 ppm it can affect quail, turkey poults (baby turkeys), and other small birds - liver damage and death in small birds; decreased egg production and eggshell quality.
At 800 ppm it can affect fawns - reduced body weights, liver damage, reduced feed consumption; in adult does it can reduce milk production.
The good news is that when MSU tested bags of corn the average Aflatoxin level was 13 ppm (ranged 5-23 ppm), and in feeders averaged 58 ppm (ranged 9-139 ppm).
However, the bad news is that when they put corn on the ground (such as with spillage, getting tossed out by animals, or spin cast feeders) and tested it daily after getting wet the levels were 400 ppm by day 5, and 1700 ppm by day 7.
In order for Alfatoxins to grow the conditions must be above 55 degrees F and above 60% humidity. We all know this can be almost any day in Mississippi, but this definitely means it can happen March-October.
Parasite Study
The main parasite of concern was a Protozoa named Coccidia. This has been known to cause die-offs of domestic and wild game birds.
This study found that Coccidia was present 5x more often at feeder sites than non-feeder sites.
Bucks Movement Study
Bucks used food plots 4x more than feeders and used food plots more during the day compared to feeders. Furthermore, when comparing buck movements of deer in areas with access to corn feeders compared to deer that did not have access to corn feeders, the bucks that used feeders:
moved more often at night
moved less often and bedded down more
moved shorter distances
Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested.
Thank you,
Pierce Young
Private Lands Wildlife Biologist
MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks
1505 Eastover Drive
Jackson, MS 39211-6374
(662) 549-0451
[email protected]"
