Forage Diversity Supports Wildlife Health [Deer Management through Forage Management]

When it comes to managing land for wildlife, forage diversity supports wildlife health. Whether you’re planting food plots or managing CRP acreage, maintaining a variety of plant species is one of the most effective ways to support animal health and behavior. Wild ruminants like deer are not grazers like cattle. They’re browsers. That distinction is critical.

What Makes a Ruminant a Ruminant?

Ruminants, by definition, have a four-chambered stomach, designed to ferment plant material. While we often associate this with cattle, deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose all fall into this category. But not all ruminants function the same. Cattle are bulk grazers with large mouths built to take in big bites of forage. Deer, on the other hand, are concentrate selectors with small muzzles and highly selective feeding behaviors. They use their nimble lips to pluck specific plant parts such as buds, berries, and leaves. This allows them to choose the most nutrient-dense pieces.

Furthermore, there is a difference in their saliva. Deer have enzymes that help bind and neutralize plant tannins, compounds that in high concentrations can be harmful to grazers. These tannins aren’t just something they tolerate. They’re something they need. They help regulate rumen pH and support healthy digestion. Removing native vegetation in favor of food plots robs them of these essential inputs.

Forage Diversity Supports Wildlife Health

We need to stop thinking of food plots as a way to deliver a complete diet. You can’t throw out a bucket of corn or plant 10 acres of purple top turnips and call it management. That approach leads to nutritional imbalances and stomach upsets like, acidosis from highly fermentable carbohydrates like starches and sugars. In cattle, we see this in feedlots, and the same mechanisms apply to deer.

When deer consume diverse natural forages such as maple buds, pokeweed, ragweed, and oak sprouts, they’re not just feeding. They’re self-regulating. Their instincts guide them to balance nutrients, bind tannins, and buffer pH naturally.

The Role of Protein, Tannins, and Microbial Fermentation

Understanding how protein works in the ruminant system is key. Crude protein is a simple calculation: nitrogen content multiplied by 6.25. But that number alone doesn’t tell the whole story. In stressed plants, those under drought or over fertilization, nitrogen might not be incorporated into amino acids. Instead, it accumulates as nitrates, which can be toxic. In wild systems, ensuring access to a variety of forages reduces the risk of toxicity and improves utilization.

Minerals Matter, Too

High-protein forages often correlate with higher mineral content, but that doesn’t mean they meet all nutritional needs. Zinc and copper, for example, are critical for stress response and immune function. Most native forages and food plot species won’t provide enough of either. Even in cattle, we struggle to meet micronutrient needs through forage alone.

Still, balance is key. Over-supplementing minerals like sulfur, magnesium, or even copper can create new health risks, especially when paired with brassica-heavy diets. That’s why forage testing and soil analysis are more than just good ideas, they’re the foundation for responsible wildlife nutrition.

The Importance of Sampling With Purpose

Too often, folks send in a forage sample without considering how the animal is actually consuming the plant. For cattle, we recommend walking a diagonal path across a field, clipping as you go, and using a cone-and-quarter method to reduce the sample size. But for deer? It’s nearly impossible to get a truly representative sample.

That said, comparative testing still has value. If you’re experimenting with different plot mixes, track performance through forage testing and wildlife behavior. And always analyze the full nutrient profile: crude protein, fibers, digestibility, starches, sugars, and minerals. One value in isolation won’t tell you much. But looking at the whole picture can help understand how the forage impacts the animal diet and potentially well-being and health.

Beyond the Plot: Managing Habitat Holistically

Planting diverse food plots is just one part of wildlife management. Don’t ignore your woods. Shrubs, saplings, and native forbs are vital. Strategic timber stand improvement such as removing invasive species or releasing oaks from competition, can do more for deer health than any store-bought seed mix.

Likewise, monitor your property for browse pressure. Simple exclusion cages can help you understand how much forage is being removed. Pair that with camera surveys and native plant browsing assessments, and you’ll start to get a picture of whether your herd is thriving or surviving.

The Bottom Line

If there’s one takeaway from this, it’s that wild ruminants are smarter than we give them credit for—but they still need our help. Not in the form of candy bars (corn piles), but in thoughtful, diversified habitat design. Support their natural behaviors. Give them options. And above all, let their biology guide your management decisions.

Forage diversity supports wildlife health and better results from your land.

Written with Albert Tomechko Co-Founder of Vitalize Seed.