Wildlife Causing Significan Crop Damage in NC

Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler says that a survey of NC field crops last year showed that wild animals damaged $19 million worth of soybeans and $5.6 million worth of corn.  Damage to wheat, peanuts and cotton totaled $4.8 million. 

Deer caused the most damage, with 92% of soybean and cotton farms in the survey reported damange from deer.  Deer also were the top foragers on 75% of peanut farms and 60% of wheat farms reporting damage. 

Fifty-three percent of farms in the survey reported using hunting to prevent wildlife damage.  To help match farmers and hunters, NCDA & CS has launged a Web site called "Hunt NC Farmland".  Farmers interested in leasing their land for hunting can post an anonymous listing on the site, and hunters can look for farms to hunt on.  Find the site at ncagr.gov/hunt.

More Stories with Steve Troxler, North Carolina Commissoner of Agriculture