Protecting Yield Potential: Addressing Deer Damage Before It Starts

Few sights are more frustrating for growers than walking into a field and finding months of planning, investment and hard work reduced to a trail of deer damage.

Across the United States, deer cause an estimated $1.7 billion dollars in agricultural losses each year through crop consumption and trampling. From newly emerged soybeans and corn to specialty crops and supplemental food plots, deer pressure can quickly reduce stand quality and yield. As deer populations continue to thrive in many agricultural regions, growers are increasingly looking for proactive solutions to help protect their crops before the damage occurs.

 Recognizing the need for a reliable solution, crop protection experts at Helena Products Group commercialized Trico Pro, an innovative deer repellent formulated with safe yet highly successful technology to help growers protect their farmland and investment.

Trico Pro is highly effective to the keen senses of ungulates such as deer, elk and moose, providing long-lasting protection after just a single application. The active ingredient in Trico Pro is a premium grade of sheep fat, carefully selected after undergoing a screening process which ultimately results in food-grade material. After application of Trico Pro, deer are deterred from feeding or even walking through the treated field due to the smell and taste on the crop foliage.  

Dr. Michael Cox, Brand Manager for Helena Products Group, explains how Trico Pro can effectively work in a producer’s current crop protection plans.

While Trico Pro’s compatibility and ease of application make it a practical fit for many crop protection programs, its value becomes even more apparent in the field. For growers facing consistent deer pressure, the product offers more than convenience - it provides peace of mind.

As a sweet potato farmer and Product Manager for Helena Agri-Enterprises, Trey Curry knows firsthand the damage deer can cause a crop.

To help his sweet potato crop during the critical weeks of harvest, Curry relies on Trico Pro. Applied later in the season when deer pressure is at its highest, Trico Pro has helped reduce feeding damage and protect marketable yield. The results have been clear in his yields, giving him confidence that his crop will make it to harvest with less deer interference.

As deer populations continue to increase in many agricultural regions, growers are facing greater challenges protecting crops from damage. Unlike insect pests that can often be managed with traditional crop protection tools, wildlife pressure can be difficult to predict and even harder to control.

Trico Pro provides growers with another line of defense, helping discourage deer from entering fields and feeding on valuable crops during critical growth stages. Its compatibility with commonly used crop protection and nutritional products allows growers to incorporate deer management into their pest control programs without adding unnecessary complexity to their operations. Weather protecting newly established stands or safeguarding crops closer to harvest, Trico Pro helps growers preserve yield potential and reduce the risk associated with wildlife damage.

For growers, every acre represents an investment of time, resources and hard work. When deer damage threatens that investment, having a reliable management tool can make all the difference. With its ease of application, innovative technology and proven performance in the field, Trico Pro offers growers a practical solution for managing deer pressure. Contact your local Helena representative to add Trico Pro to your crop protection plan this season.