Milo, the common name for grain sorghum, is a cereal grain widely grown for livestock feed and human consumption. Deer readily consume milo, often seeking it out as a concentrated food source. As a high-energy carbohydrate source, milo provides a dense caloric payload that is particularly appealing to deer when their natural forage begins to decline.
The Nutritional Value of Sorghum Grain
The attraction of deer to milo is rooted in the grain’s high concentration of readily digestible carbohydrates, namely starch. Sorghum grain contains an average of nearly 80% nitrogen-free extract (NFE), which is largely starch, and about 12.4% crude protein, making it an extremely energy-dense food. This composition contrasts sharply with a deer’s typical diet of natural browse, which is high in fiber and relatively lower in rapidly accessible calories.
The high-carbohydrate content of milo is beneficial for deer during the late fall and early winter months. During this time, deer have a high demand for energy, especially males recovering from the rut and those building fat reserves for winter. Milo provides the quick caloric boost necessary to support metabolic needs and maintain body heat. Although the grain offers a substantial energy source, the protein content is low compared to high-quality natural browse or supplemental protein feeds.
Some varieties of grain sorghum contain tannins, compounds that reduce palatability and protein digestibility. Bird-resistant varieties often have higher tannin levels, making them less attractive to deer until after a frost occurs and the levels drop. Deer tend to prefer lighter-colored, lower-tannin varieties, but the need for concentrated energy often makes the grain appealing regardless of variety when other options are scarce.
Milo in the Wild and Supplemental Diets
Deer access and consume milo in two primary contexts: as a standing agricultural crop and as harvested grain used in supplemental feeding programs. When consuming milo from a field, deer typically target the mature seed head at the top of the stalk. The deer will often bend or knock down the stalks to reach the grain, leaving behind clear evidence of their presence and causing damage to crops.
Consumption of standing milo crops is most pronounced from late summer through the fall and into winter as the grain matures and natural forage declines. When milo is available, deer are strongly attracted to it; consumption volume can sometimes be higher than that of corn. This suggests the grain is highly palatable, and its accessibility, particularly from shorter varieties, makes it a favored food source.
Wildlife managers and hunters utilize harvested milo as a supplemental feed source, often deploying it in feeders or food plots. Milo is frequently used in warm-season food plot blends because the leaves are not heavily browsed during the growing season, allowing the seed head to mature. The mature grain is available for consumption during the fall and winter, providing a consistent source of energy. While milo serves a similar function to corn, its tolerance for drought and lower establishment costs make it an attractive alternative in drier regions.
Considerations for Feeding and Crop Protection
Reliance on a high-carbohydrate grain like milo carries potential health considerations for deer, particularly when consumed suddenly in large quantities. White-tailed deer are ruminants, and a rapid shift from their natural high-fiber diet to a high-starch diet can disrupt the microbial balance in the rumen. This can lead to a condition known as acidosis, or grain overload, where the overproduction of lactic acid lowers the rumen’s pH.
Acidosis can cause severe digestive issues, dehydration, and potentially death, though the risk is lower with whole milo grain than with finely ground feed. While milo offers high calories, it is not a complete nutritional source and is low in the protein needed for optimal growth and antler development. Therefore, milo should not be relied upon as a primary, year-round food source but rather as an energy supplement during periods of high demand.
Protecting milo crops from deer damage requires proactive management strategies. Farmers can minimize loss by planting taller varieties of sorghum, which are more difficult for deer to reach, or by using physical deterrents like electric fencing. Those using milo for supplemental feeding should introduce the grain slowly and consider mixing it with higher-protein supplements or planting it alongside high-quality forage to ensure a balanced diet and reduce the risk of acidosis.