It’s almost that time of year. Checking blinds, fixing feeders, cutting back the summer’s brush growth, and worrying about corn prices. As deer hunters begin to prepare for the fall, many wonder how high this season’s feed bill is going to be.
Several factors influence the market price of corn, including climate, crude oil prices, the ethanol market, demand from China and the U.S. dollar. Most U.S.-produced corn is farmed in the Midwest between April and June, with a typical harvest between October and November.
But what does that really mean for whole, shelled, cleaned, deer corn in the state of Texas?
One major factor Brendon Lowe, president of Mumme’s Inc. in Hondo, pointed out is that most of the deer corn sold in Texas is homegrown.
“In general, deer corn prices should definitely see a decrease compared to last year,” Lowe said. “We had more rain in May of this year than all of last year combined. So, we are seeing a tremendous yield from our local producers.”
This helps lead to lower costs since there is no need to bring corn in from out of state.
Down the road in LaCoste, Craig Muennink of Muennink Grain echoed Lowe’s optimism.
“Normally we just try to average everything together when harvest is over with,” he said. “I feel like it’s going to come down.”
Although Texas corn farmers had favorable weather this year, factors like the cost of bags and the cost of labor to fill those bags also contribute to the price consumers pay.
However, one plus for Texans is the ability to purchase deer corn practically anywhere across the state. Gas stations, sporting goods, grocery stores and other various retailers all commonly sell deer corn. But in most cases, ranchers and hunters get the most bang for their buck through milling companies and feed stores, such as Lyssy & Eckel, Mumme’s Inc. and Muennink Grain.
“Corn prices at feed stores are generally lower, especially if they’re one that manufactures it,” Lowe said. “They can sell it cheaper than your local store because there is no middleman.”
There are also family-owned-and-operated farms with grain elevators, like Sweet Water Grain in Agua Dulce, where they focus almost exclusively on cleaned corn production.
“I guess the big thing is we’re farmers first,” said Bryce Osborn of Sweet Water Grain, “Currently we are in a position where we can grow enough of our own corn to supply our demand. That being the case, we can offer a competitive price.”
But growing their own crop isn’t a shortcut to cheap deer corn.
“Bags, labor, pallets, plastic wrap, freight and mineral oil to keep the dust down are all costs that influence our prices,” Osborn said. “But ultimately, cleaned corn is a superior product for hunters because they don’t have to worry about dust, stalks and cobs clogging their feeders.”
No matter where hunters buy their corn, the increase in dependable local supply appears to be the primary factor leading to improved deer corn prices compared to last year. The current price for a 50-pound bag of deer corn at Mumme’s is $11.99.
