Chute N the Bull

Antlers. For some folks-they are the stuff that dreams are made of. To
many hunters, harvesting a large antlered buck represents the ultimate
accomplishment. However, many people hunt their entire lives without
getting the opportunity to realize this goal. Why is this so? To answer
this question, let's look at what it takes for a deer to grow a set of
large antlers.

Three things contribute to antler size – nutrition, genetics, and age.
Nutrition is certainly a key ingredient. Adequate year-round nutrition
is necessary for a deer to reach its antler producing potential. Spring
and summer nutrition are especially important because most antler
development actually takes place April-September. Poor forage conditions
during this period can take its toll on antler growth. Sound habitat
management and deer population management can facilitate good
nutritional conditions.

Another piece of the antler size puzzle is "genetics." It has been
demonstrated that antler size is a heritable trait. The degree to which
this information can be used in a deer management program is largely
case specific. It is my opinion that very few deer management programs
are at a point where "culling" inferior antlered deer is beneficial – or
in fact, possible.

To be able to manipulate the gene pool in a deer herd, one would have to
define "inferior deer" (experts are still not in total agreement on this
term), be able to identify an inferior deer in the field (a difficult
task at best), and be able to remove "inferior" animals from the herd in
sufficient numbers so as to impart a change on the gene flow in the
herd. These requirements make true genetic manipulations on free-ranging
deer herds very difficult.

The third piece of the puzzle is "age". In our area, this is probably
the most limiting factor relative to antler size. Most bucks harvested
in Oklahoma are less than 2.5 years of age. The same is true in many
parts of Texas. Research on penned deer has shown that maximum antler
size is attained anywhere from 4.5 to 6.5 years of age. That is a far
cry from 2.5 years of age. An additional 1-2 years of age can make a
tremendous difference in antler size. The obvious way to address the age
factor is to allow younger age class bucks to reach the older age
classes.

In other words, let the young bucks walk and harvest only the more
mature bucks. Take up the venison slack by harvesting some does. If you
are worried about the neighbors getting the bucks you pass up, try to
persuade them to adopt similar guidelines. The bottom line is – even if
you have the best deer food available and good antler related genetics –
a 2.5 year old buck is still going to have suboptimal antlers. You can
find this and past articles on the web at http://www.mycountrytractor.blogspot.com/ for your reference. Extension
programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race,
color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M
University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County
Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating serve of all ages regardless
of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or
national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating


Thank you,

Tommy Neyland
County Extension Agent
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, Texas 75833
903.536.2531 phone
903.536.3804 fax

Chute N The Bull 9/11/09

Nitrogen (N) is the most important plant nutrient, and, when deficient, it significantly reduces productivity. Primarily, nitrogen improves plant efficiency, resulting in increased forage nutritive value and reduced fiber content. However, the overall effect is dependent upon environmental conditions like soil moisture and application schedule. Application of N once plants have established sufficient root systems is meant to improve N capture and prevent leaching. In environments experiencing high precipitation, there is a theory that N use efficiency may be improved through a split N application schedule. The hypothesis is that the first N application increases shoot growth and proliferation of roots with minimum N loss, while a second application at the peak of vegetative growth enables the plant to optimize nutrient uptake, growth and harvest index.


In bermudagrass grown for hay and expected to yield multiple cuts, a single N application results in improved growth, increased biomass and better first harvest forage quality. With the single application strategy, both the yield and quality of subsequent harvests may be compromised if soil N is depleted prior to regrowth. In high precipitation areas, because the potential exists for significant N loss, split application strategies may be a viable alternative for increasing forage quality. However, research conducted by the Noble Foundation in south-central Oklahoma revealed that this assumption may not always be correct.

Nitrogen fertilizer applied in a single dose in spring gave better quality forage in spring and summer compared to split applications that included a summer treatment. In semi-arid environments like south-central Oklahoma, the relatively wet spring allows the plant to take up sufficient N and increase vegetative growth, crude protein and total digestible nutrients. After spring harvest, underground plant tissues seem to contain substantial amounts of N and N -containing compounds that are utilized for summer regrowth. However, under split N application, the spring-applied N seems to be used for spring vegetative growth, leaving very little available for underground tissue storage. The second N application expected to increase summer forage quality may not be readily accessible to the plant because of stress related to summer environmental conditions. The low response to the second application of N is most likely related to plant stress caused by the region's hot and dry summers. This lack of sufficient moisture exacerbates stress in the plants resulting in low N absorption and decreased forage yield and quality.

Therefore, if south-central Oklahoma maintains its historical moisture accumulation levels, it is preferable to apply all necessary N in the spring. This will allow the plant to capture and absorb N under the relatively good spring conditions. The absorbed N incorporated into the underground tissue in spring becomes available to the plant to sustain growth throughout the summer. You can find this and past articles on the web at www.mycountrytractor.blogspot.com for your reference. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating





Thank you,

Tommy Neyland
County Extension Agent
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, Texas 75833
903.536.2531 phone
903.536.3804 fax