An Assessment of Agricultural Damage Caused by Red Deer (Cervus elaphus L.)and Fallow Deer (Dama dama L.) in Southwest England

Abstract

The impact of deer grazing on agricultural grassland and cereal crops was assessed at two locations with medium to high deer densities in the Exmoor area of southwest England. Red deer impact on early spring grazing was measured at one site by comparing samples of herbage cut from inside and outside deer-proof exclosure cages, just prior to turn out of livestock, on 1 March 1989. Fallow deer impact on first-cut silage grass production was similarly measured using exclosure cages at a second site by cutting samples on 31 May 1990 and on 6 June 1995. In addition, impact of fallow deer on cereal crops was assessed at this site by measuring sample grain yields from areas of the crop used or unused by deer in 1995 (winter wheat), 1996 (winter barley) and 1997 (winter wheat). Significant dry matter yield losses were recorded for red deer impact on spring grazing in 1989 (14.5%) and for fallow deer impact on first-cut silage (15.9%) in 1995 but not in 1990. In 1995 a small but significant yield loss (7.1%) was recorded for winter wheat at the fallow deer site but no loss in cereal yield was recorded in 1996 or 1997. These assessments, carried out in response to complaints about deer damage, suggest that the impacts of deer in this area, where they occur at relatively high density, are only moderate. This highlights the need for careful assessment of cost-benefits when considering deer management strategies to reduce perceived agricultural damage.