Originally Posted by Pat Williamson
Originally Posted by FireIsHot
Here's over from 2026:

I'm sliding a little off the pond stuff right now. My hatchery and big pond are both dropping fast, but I did set up my ASF feeder. I like it because I don't have to set up raccoon traps anymore.

So, anybody feeding deer cotton seeds? 50# bags are just showing up in mass around here, and the deer are gorging on them. I've got no clue why they like the fuzzy seeds, but they are disappearing every time I add them. The cotton seeds cost a little over twice as much as corn, but I think the controlled protein will help. Also, fawns are showing up in mass numbers this year. Several deer with twins, and sometimes 7-8 show up in the evening.
Be careful when you feed that to deer it will sterilize bucks

Pat, I just dropped everything, so I'll send this out the short and yes it's a gossypol conundrum for me. The cottonseed bag here just showed up, and has the Go Texan stamp which means the Texas Department of Agriculture fully approves it. Gary Holcomb nutritionist since 1990 with his B.S. Animal Science-NMSU & M.S. Ruminant Nutrition-NMSU is also on the sack and has approval. Cows have been eating cotonseeds that have gossypol for over 100 years, and it takes 2-3 weeks before gossypol leaves the cow. Deer take 4-5 weeks to clear to leave as well.

So Pat, and like I said, it's confusing for me. And no, I won't be buying anymore cottonseed for the cost, and I'm already light feeding corn for our deer. I wouldn't be surprised though if high fence hunting ranches used cottonseed by working does and bucks with controlled seasons. And corn for deer, which most of us use, can cause serious health issues as well. So corn should be controlled as well.

This is it, no back and forth. Maybe when things become rock solid, deer food might become agreeable to all of us.

AL