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Soil pH and antler growth

I know that a more balanced pH of the soil improves the yield of the crops that are grown due to the more neutral pH allowing the release of NPK and other nutrients from the soil. Does the more neutral pH itself aid in antler growth? I am able to grow crops such as soybeans, brassicas, clovers, etc in a pH below 6 but we still have pretty poor antler growth in our area. I am wondering if I lime heavily will that help with antler growth.

If it does, I am not aware of it. Most of SC has trouble with red clay and low PH. Always helps to have good PH for everything else. Definitely worth it to add lime in my opinion for all the other benefits.

I’m pretty sure it does. A neutral ph makes nutrient uptake of plants more efficient. More nutrients in the food eaten translates in healthier food for the consumer.

Go buy a dozen trees from a nursery. Plant them. Watch the deer hammer them. It’s due to nursery trees being grown in nutrient rich soil.

Lime is calcium carbonate. Antlers are bone. Bone is calcium based. No Brainer

I hope it does, but I’m thinking it has minimal impact unless you have bigger food plots than I do. I’m the only guy planting food plots in my immediate area and my two acres or less ain’t gonna grow any booners considering a whitetail buck’s normal range.

Does the more neutral pH itself aid in antler growth? They only way it will is that by improving the soils PH it helps you add more volume/more tonnage for the deer to eat in your food plots. Adding lime and fertilizer to your food plots makes your plants bigger/adds volume so there is more food for the deer to eat. It does not make these same plants more nutritious, again there is just more to eat. Dr. Craig Harper from the University of Tennessee, and his graduate students, talk about it all this all the time. I've heard the same thing from the University of Mississippi. BC

I forgot to add this, Jaybee I see you are in Wisconsin. My guess is that if you are experiencing poor antler growth it's more of an issue with the age of the bucks in your area. We have the genetics, nutrition in the lower 2/3 of the state shouldn't be an issue especially if you are in a farming community, that leaves age would be a guess on my part is your issue. Let'm Go, Let'm Grow. BC

I do think soil pH plays a role in antler growth, especially since it affects the nutrients available in the plants deer munch on. If the soil is too acidic or too alkaline, plants might not get the nutrients they need, which means the deer won’t either. That’s why balancing soil pH is a smart move for better forage quality.One tip I’ve come across is using blackcurrant companion plants. These shrubs are great because they grow well in slightly acidic to neutral soil, which can help balance pH naturally. Plus, they attract pollinators and improve the ecosystem.If you’re managing land for wildlife, you could try testing the soil first and then adding lime or sulfur to adjust it as needed.

Might watch this video. It touches base on what you're asking about.

https://youtu.be/KVCwBVZ1K-k?si=s5HRNti3gC0jY2Nu

SD, Thanks for sharing the video. Not only does it address the benefits of soil quality, but it also addresses the benefits of adequate food. Improving soil quality and growing quality deer food has a huge impact on the size of antlers on mature bucks. I used to like the fact that there is not a lot of AG around my property because I could draw deer easier. Now I think that it would be advantageous to have large AG fields that the deer could feed on at night.

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