Elbon Rye as Quality Forage to Ozark Deer during Winter 1

Suitable foods for deer ( Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) in the Ozarks are deficient in quality and quantity during winters when oak mast crops are poor. Elbon rye ( Secule cereale L.) forage improves deer carrying capacity during these times. To evaluate its quality for deer, we examined the digestibility and nutrient composition of elbon rye at successive stages of plant development. Rate of digestion and maximum digestibility, as measured by the nylon bag technique using ruminally cannulated goats, diminished as elbon rye matured. The time required for maximum digestion to occur increased from 48 hours for immature elbon rye harvested during February to 168 hours for mature rye harvested in May and June. Elbon rye yielded up to 1,450 kg/ha dry weight, was heavily utilized by deer, and was most nutritious during vegetative stages in mid to late Winter.