Like any trophy hunter or outdoorsman, you can probably recall that moment sitting in a blind or up in the tree stand – rifle or bow at the ready – when the beast of a buck walked out of the woods and into one of your best hunting stories.
Holding your breath and hands at the ready, what was the first thing that caught your eye? Probably wasn’t its hindquarters, but the impressive antlers. Symmetrical and pristine, sporting eight or more perfect points, the rack on that majestic animal is etched into your memory. You knew you hit the jackpot before you even took your shot.
For those who have turned their passion for hunting into a profession, raising white-tail or mule deer on a ranch or lodge, replicating those legendary antler racks herdwide has always been the dream. However, more than just breeding deer with the best genes, you need to provide your superior stock with a nutritious antler-cultivating diet.
But what is the best deer mineral for antler growth? Can one supplement offer everything you need? Or do you need a variety of feed ingredients to help foster rack growth? For those who haven’t tried a seaweed feed supplement for their herd, here is what you should know about how it stimulates healthy antler growth.
The Value Deer Obtain from Seaweed
Anyone who hasn’t lived along the coast might be taken aback by the idea of deer eating seaweed. Yet, it’s not all that uncommon (and deer will eat stranger things to fulfill their nutritional needs).
In the wild, red deer are known to eat seaweed along coastal habitats when it becomes available in their forage. The white-tail deer of Maine browse on beach-cast seaweed during the winter months when food sources are less abundant. It only makes sense to incorporate this marine resource into the feeding regimen.
What nutritional value do deer receive from seaweed? There’s a wide variety ranging from digestive efficiency to immune health, but Ascophyllum nodosum also offers an abundance of one vital mineral for bone and antler growth: calcium. When young bucks lack the right amount of calcium (as well as phosphorous) in their diets, they tend to experience delays in both their antler growth as well as their velvet shedding.
Experts like Dr. James C. Kroll suggest a 2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio in deer feed regimen if they’re to meet their nutritional requirements. Additionally, nutrients like magnesium, which are in ample supply in seaweed like Ascophyllum nodosum, can encourage sturdy antler growth, though they are required in smaller amounts.
If you want feed supplements that can help you raise picture-perfect deer, seaweed should be part of your feed regimens. Our Acadian Kelp™ organic kelp meal just might help your clients make memories that last a lifetime.
Are you trying to find the best deer mineral for antler growth? Make some time to talk to members of the Acadian Kelp™ team to get the answers you need.
Let’s schedule time to talk
Related Articles
How Our Animal Feed Processing Methods Result in Higher Quality Products
How Seaweed Is Helping Curb Methane Emissions from Livestock and Boost Feed Efficiency
Feeding Pigs Seaweed to Improve Their Health and Performance