Have you ever noticed that a common human characteristic is to take a very broad and complex subject and somehow filter out one or two aspects of that subject and fixate on them while ignoring the rest of the particulars? My extent of psychological study was taking Psychology 101 in college from a professor who apparently went into that field because of the necessity of self-analysis. So I am not professionally qualified to theorize on the cause of this mental phenomenon, but my unprofessional opinion is that it stems from laziness or the confusion of information overload.
We grab onto one thing and do not spend the time to investigate further. For example, why is your favorite football team losing this year? “Coaching” is the word you use with little or no analysis. Why did you buy a particular bow? “Arrow speed” was really the only specification you looked at. One of my favorites is why are Midwestern deer big? “Because they’re corn fed.” There are a infinite number of examples, but suffice to say it is a trait that marketing people and campaign managers have manipulated since those two occupations came into existence.
Thirty years ago, the idea of nutritional management of whitetail deer was not part of the mainstream hunting culture. The concept was maybe floating around in the minds of few innovative souls, but hunters were planting “green fields” for attraction-only purposes or planting no food sources whatsoever. Then in 1988, a new company out of Alabama proposed the crazy idea that you could plant food sources that would have a beneficial nutritional impact on deer and improve characteristics such as antler growth and body weights. Whitetail Institute’s introduction of Imperial Whitetail Clover was revolutionary in that it was the first product introduced to the hunting world as a forage that not only attracted deer but was nutritionally superior to the green-field forages that were being planted.
One of the challenges that a company faces with a ground-breaking product is consumer education, particularly when it involves not only a new product but a new concept. There are many advantageous aspects and characteristics of Imperial Whitetail Clover, but the one thing that seemed to stick with people was the protein. In fact, over 20 years later, protein remains the focus of most consumers when they are comparing products. Protein is indeed a critical part of a nutritional management program, but many folks only know it as a word and not really what it is and what it does. Similar to me looking for a new computer, I tell the sales clerk that I need to have a computer with a lot of RAM. Honestly I have no idea what that means. I just know that is what people say. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at protein, what it is, why it is important and how you can use it in your management program to give you a better and broader understanding of the word.
PROTEIN — WHAT IS IT?
Protein is defined as naturally occurring complex combinations of amino acids that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Essentially, protein is the building block of muscle, bone and a portion of many other body components, such as organs and blood. The body requires protein for the growth of muscle and bone and also for the maintenance of these tissues. For example, bodybuilders increase muscle mass by first breaking muscle down (via weight lifting) and then letting the body build the muscle back up to a larger size. A crucial part of this regimen is the consumption of large amounts of protein to supply the body with what it needs to rebuild the muscle.
In terms of bone growth, large amounts of protein are required during the growth and development of the skeletal system. In fact, young, growing bone is composed primarily of protein. Of course, protein is needed for many other functions, such as milk production or lactation. For the mammary system to be able produce the nutrient-rich milk needed for the growth and health of offspring, the mother must consume large amounts of protein. As mentioned in its definition, protein is comprised of various combinations of amino acids. The particular amino acid combination of a protein defines its nutritional function and quality. A good analogy of the protein/amino acid relationship is to compare it to a brick building. A particular brick building (protein) is comprised of various shapes, sizes and colors of individual bricks (amino acids). Then, say there are hundreds of brick buildings grouped together. They are all brick buildings (protein), but the varying combinations of bricks (amino acids) used to build them define and group the buildings. A few examples of amino acids are lysine, methionine, isoleucine, threonine and tryptophan.
In a few species of domestic livestock, such as swine and poultry, researchers have determined the optimal levels of each amino acid depending on the stage of growth of the animal. So nutritionists do not merely say that a four-week old broiler chick should be fed a 22 percent diet but rather break it down to the exact amounts of lysine, methionine and other amino acids needed for optimal growth. Although specific amino acid requirements are not as well defined on the ruminant side (beef cattle, dairy, and sheep) researchers are making advancements in the area, and many ruminant nutritionists consider certain amino acid balances in their recommended rations.
Of course, we are not as advanced in our knowledge of specific amino acid balances needed for optimal production in whitetail deer, but research continues to advance our knowledge.
In monogastric digestive systems (simple stomachs such as humans and swine), protein hydrolysis occurs in the intestinal tract, where it is broken down, absorbed and used in various functions, including tissue synthesis. In ruminants (deer, cattle and sheep) protein digestion and usage is more complex. When a deer consumes protein, the protein enters the rumen, and at least a portion of it is broken down by rumen microbial populations. These microbial populations eventually produce a protein called microbial protein, which is then used by the animal. Another type of protein, called bypass protein, escapes rumen fermentation and moves into the small intestine, where it is digested in similar fashion to a monogastric system. Most nutritionists have found that certain combinations of microbial and bypass protein is needed for optimal production.
PROTEIN NEEDS FOR DEER
If you see a buck cruising down the trail you are sitting near, the first thing most hunters will look at is his antlers. We are drawn to antlers as the proverbial moth to the flame. Antlers are an extension of the skeletal system; growing bone while in velvet and hardened dead bone when the velvet is shed. As mentioned earlier, protein is a major component of growing bone and thus is a major component of growing antler. Up to 80 percent of a young velvet antler is protein, and even a hardened antler is roughly half protein. So you can see why there is no doubt that protein is such a major consideration in the nutritional management of bucks. But a buck’s protein needs go beyond antler growth. Protein is also needed for muscle and tissue synthesis and maintenance. Keeping in mind that a buck must be at optimal body condition to achieve optimal antler growth, protein directly and indirectly affects antler growth and production. Does also require protein for body maintenance, but the needs increase dramatically during lactation. In fact, most nutritionists agree that a doe’s protein requirements are higher than that of bucks when she is lactating. Does require somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 percent to 20 percent protein in their overall diet for optimal milk production, as opposed to a buck’s protein need, which range from 16 percent to 18 percent. Although not as high as when she is lactating, a doe’s protein needs are also elevated during gestation, especially during the last couple of months of her pregnancy.
The dramatic fetal growth that occurs during this time requires a doe’s dietary protein to not solely be used for her own maintenance but also used for the growth of the unborn fawn(s).
Fawns, yearlings and immature deer have probably the highest protein needs of any segment of the deer herd. Consider that these deer have rapidly growing muscle and the skeletal system to supports that muscle, which requires large amounts of protein. Research indicates that fawn and yearling weights of whitetails are a good predictor of their mature weights, which in turn are strongly related to mature antler growth in bucks and maternal proficiency in does.
PROTEIN MANAGEMENT
So we know what protein is, and we know that all segments of the deer herd require protein for specific biological functions. But what does that mean to a person who wants to manage their property to produce healthier and bigger deer? Although protein is found in nearly all plant material, the levels of protein vary dramatically. For example, acorns and corn are attractive to deer and provide great sources of energy. However, protein levels of acorns and corn typically range from 4 percent to 8 percent, which is far lower than what is required. Further, in most parts of the country, native browse will normally not exceed a collective protein value of more than 12 percent. If you consider that a buck’s protein requirements are as high as 18 percent, a doe’s requirements can be as high as 20 percent and a fawn’s might be up to 26 percent protein, an obvious shortfall can be seen.
To make up for this deficiency, food plots containing high-protein forages can be used to fill in the gap. For example, Imperial Whitetail Clover can provide more than 30 percent protein to the deer herd. If your property provides 12 percent protein from natural browse and contains a food plot that produces 30 percent protein, and the deer use the food plot for only one-quarter of their daily diet, the resulting overall protein level would 16.5 percent. If they use the plot for half of their daily intake, the resulting protein level in their diet would be 21 percent.
Another consideration when considering protein via food plots is timing and availability of that protein. Protein needs are the highest during spring and summer, when antler growth and lactation are occurring. Deer need a consistent source of a high-quality protein throughout this period. Further, the earlier this protein can be available in spring, the better off you are to provide protein for the early stages of antler growth and the final weeks of gestation. So what we are looking for is a forage that is most likely perennial, cold tolerant, early greening and provides a consistent high level of protein through early fall.
These are the goals set forward in each of the perennial products produced by the Whitetail Institute, and I can tell you from experience they have succeeded. My perennial Whitetail Institute food plots (Imperial Whitetail Clover, Extreme and Alfa-Rack Plus) are the first green plants to emerge in spring and are normally the last green forage available in late fall and winter. Research has shown that Imperial Whitetail Clover can maintain an average of 30 percent protein.
One final practice that has proven successful in areas where food plots are difficult or impractical to produce is the use of protein-rich supplements. These supplements are not necessarily complete feeds but rather contain high levels of nutrients designed to balance the overall diet in much the same way a food plot can do. In states where it is legal to feed supplements, it is an option worth investigating.
