Common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, is a widespread annual plant found across North America in disturbed areas like roadsides, fields, and cultivated ground. This plant is often recognized for its prolific wind-borne pollen, which is a significant allergen for many.
Understanding Deer Dietary Habits
White-tailed deer are primarily browsers, meaning they consume a variety of leaves, stems, and buds from woody plants. Their diet also includes forbs, which are herbaceous broad-leaved plants, along with grasses and mast (fruits and nuts). Deer are opportunistic foragers. Their food choices are influenced by seasonal availability, plant abundance, palatability, and their specific nutritional needs.
Do Deer Eat Ragweed? The Direct Answer
Deer do consume ragweed. While some sources suggest it is generally not a highly preferred food due to factors like its bitter taste or texture, other information indicates it can be a valuable part of their diet. Young, tender ragweed is often more palatable than mature, fibrous plants. Common ragweed can be quite nutritious, with crude protein levels reported between 17% and 22%. This high protein content can be beneficial for deer, especially during periods of antler growth in bucks or lactation in does.
Factors Influencing Deer’s Ragweed Consumption
Food scarcity plays a significant role; during times of drought, harsh winters, or in areas with high deer populations, preferred forage may become depleted. In such circumstances, deer are more likely to turn to less desirable plants like ragweed out of necessity. The plant’s maturity also influences consumption, with younger, less fibrous ragweed being more appealing. The sheer abundance of ragweed in an area can lead to increased consumption if other food sources are limited. Regional differences in plant chemistry or local deer populations’ dietary preferences may also affect how readily ragweed is consumed.
Ragweed’s Role in a Deer’s Diet and Habitat Management
Ragweed, particularly common and giant ragweed, can serve as a supplemental food source when other options are scarce. For landowners or gardeners, relying on deer browsing to control ragweed populations is generally not an effective strategy. Despite deer eating it, ragweed’s low palatability in some contexts and its aggressive growth habit mean it is unlikely to be managed solely by deer. Habitat management practices, such as disking or prescribed fire, can encourage the growth of native forbs like ragweed, potentially improving natural food availability for deer.