When bailed the cattle would then pick at the straw as well, saves a few hay bales eventually. Otherwise no, straw is useless for deer. Deer will pound hay like there is no tomorrow, heck many Sask outfitters would be out of business if they didn't.

Will deer eat straw?

From what I remember: feeding deer hay or straw during the winter can starve deer because they guorge themselves on it. This food source holds little nutritional value in comparison to natural browse. Therefore there is peer reveiwed sources stating deer have been found dead with a full stomach of hay/straw.

Will deer eat hay bales in winter?

Biologists have stated that it is wrong to feed deer hay and grain during the hard winter months because they are in browsing mode and do not have the correct bacteria in their digestive tracts to digest the grain and hay. Apparently, deer can starve with full stomachs of hay.