New solutions aim to help farmers protect crops and preserve yield potential
Deer damage remains a costly and growing challenge for U.S. agriculture, with wildlife responsible for an estimated $1.7 billion in crop losses each year. From emerging corn and soybeans to specialty crops, deer feeding and trampling can quickly reduce stand quality, disrupt establishment and cut into overall yield.
As deer populations rise in many agricultural regions, growers are facing mounting pressure to protect their fields from unpredictable and difficult-to-control wildlife threats.
“Unlike insects or weeds, deer pressure is harder to anticipate and manage with traditional crop protection tools,” said Dr. Michael Cox, Brand Manager for Helena Products Group. “Growers need proactive solutions that fit into their existing programs and help prevent damage before it occurs.”
One such solution is Trico® Pro, a deer repellent designed for ease of use within standard crop protection practices. The product uses a food-grade sheep fat active ingredient that creates both taste and odor deterrents, discouraging deer and other ungulates from feeding or entering treated fields.
Trico Pro offers:
- Long-lasting protection with a single application
- Compatibility with common crop protection and nutritional inputs
- Flexibility across a wide range of crops and growth stages
For growers like Trey Curry, a sweet potato farmer and Helena Product Manager, the impact of deer damage is both immediate and measurable.
“If you think a beetle is a pretty bad thing to have bite a potato, a deer is not something you want to have bite your potatoes,” Curry said.
By applying Trico Pro during peak deer pressure, Curry has been able to reduce feeding damage and better protect marketable yield, particularly during critical pre-harvest windows.
As wildlife pressure continues to rise, incorporating deer management into crop protection plans is becoming increasingly important. Tools like Trico Pro provide growers with a practical way to reduce risk, protect their investment and maintain yield potential throughout the season. For more information about managing deer pressure with Trico Pro, visit helenaagri.com and check out Episode 117 of the FieldLink Podcast on YouTube or wherever you listen.
About Helena Agri-Enterprises
Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC is a complete agronomic solutions provider headquartered outside of Memphis in Collierville, Tennessee. Helena is a multi-faceted retailer and distributor in the production agriculture and specialty markets, offering innovative products and services to improve productivity for greater customer returns. This includes crop protection and crop production products, seed and seed treatments, AGRIntelligence® tools, professional application, financial services, and chemical formulation. Helena is driven by a belief in People… Products… Knowledge®… Through knowledgeable and dedicated people, superior products, and the latest, proven technologies, Helena is committed to helping customers succeed.