Forage production and nutritional quality were determined for 11 cool-season and 6 warm-season forages for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on a site in the Piedmont Plateau of Alabama from 1989 to 1991. Cool-season forages produced from 1,355 to 5,946 kg/ha (dry-matter basis) of forage per season containing from 56% to 84% total digestible nutrients (TDN), 8% to 30% crude protein (CP), 16% to 67% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 0.15% to 2.34% calcium, 0.10% to 0.40% phosphorus, and 0.85% to 4.59% potassium per clipping. During summer 1990, warm-season forages produced from 1,757 to 2,744 kg/ha of forage (dry-matter basis) containing from 60% to 68% TDN, 18% to 29% CP, 25% to 40% NDF, 0.81% to 1.68% calcium, 0.13% to 0.31% phosphorus, and 0.99% to 2.38% potassium. Except among ladino clover varieties, distinct differences in production and nutritional quality were detected over the seasons. Management implications regarding planting choice are discussed.
