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Deer Farmers’ Digest Newsletter |
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October 2001 - Vol. 2, Issue 10 Welcome to the OCTOBER 2001 edition of the Deer Farmers' Digest, a monthly electronic newsletter published for those interested in raising deer, elk and reindeer. This Digest (ISSN 1499-1357) is distributed via e-mail to over 2,600 readers in 27 countries. A copy of ALL the issues of the Deer Farmers' Digest can be found at http://digest.deerfarmer.com and in the National Library of Canada at http://collection.nlc-bnc.ca/100/201/300/deer_farmers_digest/ Please forward this copy of the Deer Farmers' Digest to your friends and any other people who may be interested in deer, elk or reindeer. To ADD or REMOVE your name from our mailing list, please see Subscription Services below. IN THIS ISSUE 1. A personal experience with CWD
1. A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH CWD [By Craig and Noreen McConnell, Elk Echo Ranch in Colorado, USA, on whose elk farm CWD was recently discovered; reprinted with permission from the Discussion Forums at Wapiti.nethttp://www.wapiti.net ] Well, as entrepreneur elk ranchers for nearly 10 years, we are finally coming to a close on all our wonderful years of being able to look out the window and see beautiful elk placidly grazing in the pastures. Along with all the sadness of the national news of the Twin Towers devastation and all that has gone with it, we definitely feel that our own two towers (Elk Echo Ranch & All American Antler Ranch) have taken quite a devastating hit as well. Because we have been personally asked to state the facts here, and at the risk of this being more than a bit lengthy, the following is only a small part of our story. Ten years ago today, we were raising cattle, and had run combines and worked in the oil patch. Our ranch did not have CWD. When we started in the elk business in February of 1992, our goal was to help the little man to thrive in business and make the elk business flourish. With all the orders we had for elk, I once spent $122,000 in 3 hours at the Minnesota Elk Sale! We bought elk from 62 people, including 4 dispersal herds. I was very successful at buying and selling. In order to not only keep alive, but thrive, buying and selling is the name of the game - and I loved it! Where did I get CWD? Of all you elk ranchers that read this, you know who I have bought from. From which of your ranches did it come? I don't blame anybody in the elk business for getting it - and good management does not stop it; but it is here. In 1997, we were a trace-back from Nebraska; in 1999 we were a trace-back again from Nebraska; in March of 2001, we had a sub-clinical animal die of other reasons; and in September of 2001, Rich had a 27 month old heifer die, which came from my ranch as a 10 month old calf; then 2 weeks later, we went out into the same original pasture-mates and killed the thinnest looking one. Actually it didn't look anything like the terrible pictures we've seen of deer in the last stages, and the rest of the group were and still are beautiful animals. However, we were told that it tested positive for CWD. So in other words, in the last 4 years, out of 4 ranches consisting of approximately 1,600 elk, we have had a total of 5 animals, which died by one means or another, and tested positive. Wow! Many a rancher has had scours kill 10 calves in 2 weeks. We have sold over 600 head of elk to 42 different ranches in many states and they are all living. So a word to the aggressive elk ranchers today: if you are aggressive and you buy and sell many animals, you will be the #1 target sooner or later. If you want to sit on the sidelines and have a closed herd and have the mind-set that I am not buying from anyone, but you can buy from me, the industry will go down the tube. What a quandary! And sitting still is not what business is all about. Four things that must be addressed or the industry will suffer greatly: a) perception of CWD; We first learned of CWD through our own industry. It was not until March of 1996 that our CEGBA president, Liz Chandler, lined up Beth Williams from the Laramie Vet Lab to come do a seminar on CWD at our state convention to make us aware of it. We learned then that the DOW has known about it for a long, long time (which has now been over 35 years.) No one told us when we got into the business that our wonderful Department of Wildlife (DOW) had a contaminated pen of deer & elk in the mountains. When the ban on raising red deer in Colorado was decreed, the DOW got the bright idea to trade some of their elk for the hybrid animals. These elk were put in the contaminated pen for who knows how long (DOW now says 6 months) and Mike Miller from DOW stated (back in 1993 or 1994) that this probably was not a good idea. But they did it anyway and maybe thought the problem would go away. As far as I know, there are only 4-5 people that know of this incident and one of them is no longer alive. So where did this disease come from? How long has it been here? Korea now has it. Where did they get it? If I had known some of these answers then and what we would have to go through right now, I probably wouldn't have got into the business. For sure, if I had thought I had the disease, I would not have sold animals to anyone. I love this business and I can see tremendous opportunity in several areas. But I am willing today to have my whole herd of 700 head put down so I will not ruin any other ranch with this contaminated perception. They are essentially saying that our little calf got it at 3 months of age. There needs to be a live animal test done as soon as possible in order for this industry to continue. We in Colorado have found the disease because we are looking for it. Your states that are not in the program had better get on board yesterday. We in Colorado go out and separate and/or kill our higher risk animals. This is how you begin to put a stop to CWD. But as long as our wonderful DOW does not do one thing, it is going to be a long road ahead. For an example, there is an area along the front range that has 15% infected deer & .01% infected elk. Two years ago, hunter-killed deer were supposed to have the heads turned in for testing. Last year they sold 3 times as many licenses to hunters in that area and dropped the brain testing. Isn't that a great way to go about solving the problem? Now you see the battle that the entire elk industry must fight. If you ranchers want to stay in business, you MUST start new ranches out on a good foot and you MUST sell and buy from each other along the way. To date, we have started 157 people in the elk business in 18 different states, Germany, Canada, and Thailand. I have worked very closely with the state officials in having one of the very best monitored herds out here in NE Colorado. Never once have I tried to ruin anyone's reputation in the elk business. We feel safe in saying that the vast majority of our thousands of Bed & Breakfast guests from 49 states and 28 countries left our ranch with a very positive outlook on raising elk. However, sadly, this negativity will convince many more that it is maybe not such a good idea after all. We hope this sheds a little more light on what has happened and what we are going through today. We sincerely hope it doesn't happen to you. And eliminating three ranches in Colorado definitely does not solve the problem. It is a step in working through the process. I would like to continue to be member of the associations and will direct my energies into buying and selling elk for meat and transporting elk for others. We definitely need these services for the little man. In closing, the disease did not shut us down, but the perception certainly did. We started as a little man and within 30 days we will go out as a little man with zero head of elk on 2,000 acres of a beautiful, rolling hills, former elk ranch. We ask for no sympathy from anybody, but we can say that we have been there and done that. We would be glad to answer any questions and help anybody in this business in whatever capacity that we are capable of now. This may not have been exactly what you wanted to hear, but reality has hit and we thank you for your time. Epilogue We have learned first-hand how cruelly deceitful the media can be and how expertly they can twist and distort the truth to the point where you cannot even recognize what was supposed to be your own words. We have learned how they can portray subterfuge when there is none, at least on an elk rancher's part. They have portrayed to the public that our State Vet and we are in some sort of conflict, which we definitely are not! They have portrayed that we are some kind of criminals, when all we have been doing is trying to make an honest and profitable living at something we love. We have continued to stay in close contact with Dr. Cunningham and he has told us many times how distressed and badly he feels over what they have printed about this issue and us. We have tried to understand what is happening here, and realization is dawning! One very prominent newspaper has a writer who is trying to make a name for himself, is on very good terms with the DOW, and seems to be their tool for polluting our good reputation that we have worked so hard to establish. DOW is trying their hardest to find fault and discredit what the Department of Agriculture has done concerning their regulation of our industry in hopes that they could take the reins again. The Department of Agriculture and the State Brand Board has done a wonderful job of putting protocols in place and we are proud of them for facing each issue with common sense and practicality. We can now see that the DOW is using us as a little "pawn" in their huge chess game. Their motive is to turn the tide of public opinion against elk ranching and then bring it to a public vote, which they are hoping will go against us and possibly lead to banning the whole industry in Colorado. If they focus the blame on the alternative livestock industry, "they" have won a battle, as it shifts the attention from the origin of the problem, which lies at their doorstep. If they can get away with getting outright lies into print, "they" will have won another battle. If "they" can speak unemotionally, just remember that is it not their own babies which they have named and loved watching grow up and even winning contests. Nor is it their personal livelihood or lifestyle at stake. If they can get us to fight amongst ourselves, that gives them some more strength to fight on another front. How many battles does it take for them to begin to win the war? Unfortunately, we are finding out. CWD Update in Canada
2. USDA IMPLEMENTS CWD PROGRAM The U.S. Department of Agriculture today (Sept. 27, 2001) announced the authorization of $2.6 million from Commodity Credit Corporation funds to implement a chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance and indemnity program in the United States. While considered rare, CWD is endemic to free-ranging deer and elk in a limited area of southeastern Wyoming, northeastern Colorado, and southwestern Nebraska. CWD has also been found in captive elk herds in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. All positive herds are under state quarantines. This transfer of emergency funds will be used to reduce the spread of CWD in captive elk herds. USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will implement the CWD program by purchasing positive and exposed elk from CWD-infected herds, enhancing surveillance and diagnostic testing for CWD, and increasing training for producers and veterinarians. There is currently no evidence that CWD is linked to disease in humans, or in domestic animals other than deer and elk. CWD is a progressive disease that affects deer and elk. CWD is part of a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, a group that includes scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Currently, there is no live animal test or vaccine for CWD. The USDA policy on TSEs has been to be proactive and preventative. The USDA continually monitors and assesses all ongoing events and research findings regarding TSEs, as new information and knowledge may lead to revised conclusions and prevention measures. USDA continues to enhance these important infrastructure programs by taking a proactive approach to monitoring, controlling, and eradicating TSEs. USDA is committed to strengthening various plant and animal pest and disease prevention and eradication programs, which are in effect, are the backbone of the food and agricultural system. In this effort, USDA is also focusing on research and appropriate program modernization to keep pace with continuously emerging and often unique challenges. Notice of this action is scheduled for publication in the Sept. 27 Federal Register and becomes effective immediately. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related information including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html# Release No. 0189.01 Kimberley Smith (301) 734-6464 Jerry Redding (202) 720-6959
3. A KOREAN PERSPECTIVE ON THEIR IMPORT BAN [The following was a presentation to the North American Elk Production Industry in July from a Korean delegate, attorney Peter Jung, from the DeRyook International Law Firm] First of all, I would like to tender my heartfelt gratitude to the American Elk Products Board and the Michigan Deer and Elk Farmers Association for inviting me to Michigan. On July 24th, I had the privilege of visiting the Michigan Department of Agriculture, MSU veterinarian school and an elk farm. I was really impressed by the advanced scientific management and quarantine systems. But, unfortunately, North American velvet is currently banned from import in Korea. More specially, the Korean government suspended quarantine inspection for North American velvet. As you may very well know, that's because of CWD issues. I guess one of the controversial questions that is presently in your mind would be when the Korean authorities will lift the ban on the product and what the prerequisite is to lift the ban on velvet. On this issue, no one can give the exact answer because of the Korean government's complicated policy-making procedures and the limited research data on CWD. As for you, you cannot just wait until the ban is lifted. Korea has no scientific data on CWD and the ban could last for a very, very long time. Therefore, I would like to share some ideas of mine, which I think are the most rational and the most efficient method of approach to lift the embargo of the product. It might be useful information for you. I reviewed the related law and have had discussions with government authorities who are involved in this CWD issue. First of all, let me explain to you the velvet import procedure in Korea and the background details for the ban on North American velvet. To import and clear through all inspections, the importer should go through quarantine inspection by the National Veterinary Science Division, Customs Declaration, and the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) inspection. Under the quarantine inspection, the Korean government checks restricted area to import. To pass this inspection, the inspector will conduct chemical tests and biological tests. If the tests are negative, then the inspector will issue the certificate. At the moment, inspection on North American velvet is suspended so you cannot make a customs declaration and cannot get a certificate issued. This means that you cannot import North American velvet. A "Customs Declaration" means inspectors check net weight, gross weight and impose duty. With a quarantine certificate, there are no problems. Quality inspection includes visual tests, precision tests and harmful material tests. Among these, visual tests and precision tests have an important meaning for importers. That's why judgment standards decide possible category of imported velvet. You can ask specific questions about visual tests and precision tests from KOMD later. Visual inspection is when the Inspection Commissioner of Korea Pharmacopeia makes an actual visit to the storage house to check the time/day lapse of the product. The regulation set forth by the Korea Pharmacopeia on elk medicine products are as follows: "The medicine consists of the main beam and the side tine. The length of main beam is 25-70 centimeters, and the width is over 12 centimeters. The length between the top of main beam and the first side tine is 10-25 centimeters and from the root of the main beam to the first side tine is less than 25 centimeters long. There are approximately 1-4 side tines and their tips are in a round shape. The outer color of the beam is yellowish brown with reddish yellow, light black or yellowish brown colored velvets. The amputated part of the horn consists of very little form of tissue. In accordance to this regulation, if the main beam is longer than 70 centimeters or if the length between the first side tine and the main beam from the root exceeds 25 centimeters or if the length between the top of the main beam and the first side tine exceeds 25 centimeters when there are five side tines in total, such products shall be restricted from being imported in Korea." The following are the Korea Pharmacopeia's regulating factors for the product.
A more detailed inspection of the product is followed by the first inspection mentioned above. According to the regulations on the product set by the KFDA, the following conditions must be met: a) Moisture: below 14% In the past, the grade etc. of the product was made, but today they are not made. Any proposed changes and modifications on Visual inspection and Detail inspection should be set aside for now and brought back when the CWD problem is resolved. The product that has been approved in quarantine inspection, customhouse, quality inspection may be imported in Korea. My investigation on the ban for North American velvet is as follows. In Canada, CWD was found in elk animals in 2000. By international courtesy, Canadian government notified the Korean government that CWD broke out in Canada. Even though there is no evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans, and there is no case of transmission, the Korean Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) temporarily suspended quarantine inspection for North American velvet including Canadian velvet. This ban was done to prevent any possible harmful factors and to secure safety. This ban is temporary. But it can last long unless CWD is proved to be safe and free from transmission to humans. The reason that Korea banned US velvet is that Canada elk animals came from US elk animals. In US, CWD is found only in wildlife elk animals. Even though CWD is not found in farmed elk animals, there is no clear boundary line between wild and farmed. Korea cannot have conviction that US elk is safe from CWD, and as such, decided to ban US velvet. Since the CWD issue is related to human health, political action is not effective to remove the ban. In my opinion, Korea, Canada, and US accept the ban as a general issue and approach the issue with scientific research together. You should understand the Korean government status on the ban issue. Korean government unofficially said they would lift the ban on North American elk animals once CWD is proved not to be harmful to humans. At the moment, the Korean government does not have any scientific data on CWD. So if Korea starts research study now, it will probably take 3-5 years. At the same time, Korean government is not in the position to set up policy following after Canada and America. The Korean government understands velvet is consumed differently in North America and in Korea. Also, Korea believes US and Canada have different ways of research. US and Canada can cooperate with Korea in studying CWD issues. Another way to reduce the time the ban may last so long is that the Korean government trusts the North American inspection system. You should educate the Korean government authority for inspection, management, trace back system. In Korea, MAF is in charge of Administrative affairs and KFDA is in charge of research study. Inviting Korea MAF authority and KFDA research scientist to US will be a good way to educate the Korean government. One of our main concerns is when the ban is lifted and how it is lifted. Also, contacting the Korean government through a representing attorney is a more efficient communication method than contacting directly. The reason for this is because all the documents being delivered to the Korean government is required to have the Korean translation version attached. The translation of the original document by a legal expert can be made with great precision to effectively convey the idea in the original text. Also the materials delivered by the Korean government will be able to be examined and analyzed by legal experts in order to provide a high quality legal service. For a more effective communication and satisfying result, we believe that legal expertise is absolutely necessary. As a reference, DeRyook International Law Firm consists of 30 attorneys and ranks within top 10 among the law firms in Korea. The representative attorney, Mr. Ham, Seung Hee, currently is a ruling party member of the Korean National Assembly. As the member of the National Assembly, Mr. Ham took part in submitting the bill at the Judicial Committee. DeRyook is currently under excellent terms with some major government organizations such as the KFDA and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. With the substantial amount of sources and social connections, DeRyook Law Firm has a comparative advantage over other law firms in Korea. I hope that my presentation will be of some use in resolving the CWD case. I would like to conclude by wishing you the best in all your pursuit and endeavor. Thank you. Peter Jung, Attorney At Law from DeRyook International law Firm
[ By Dr. Robert A. Gonzales, DNA Solutions, Inc., Oklahoma City, OKhttp://www.dnasolutionsusa.com ] We have recently heard the call for DNA testing of white-tailed deer and elk. But the questions that immediately come to mind are... what is a DNA test and why do you need one? We may have heard about DNA in school or even in the news lately but it has never really had an impact on our daily lives until the last few years. Now it may even have an influence in our business dealings. The basics are that DNA is the genetic material of all living things and that genetic information is literally written in the DNA molecule in the form of genes. Most of us have a grasp of genetics. We understand that the physical traits of parents show up in their offspring because of genetics. This genetic information is passed on because one half of an offspring's DNA comes from the sire and the other half comes from the dam. We hope that a buck with large antlers will pass on that genetic characteristic to his fawns. Currently, we do not know which genes are associated with trophy antlers so we cannot directly test for this characteristic. Instead, we try to control the breeding process. We select the bucks that will be used in our breeding programs and try to prevent other bucks from contributing. This is where a DNA test can be of value. Most people are familiar with the recent celebrity murder case in which human identity was determined by a DNA test. The very same technology can be applied to any living organism, including white-tailed deer. The test is actually looking for specific pieces of DNA which are often referred to as "DNA markers". The key to the technology is that these markers behave just like genes. They come in pairs, one from the sire and one from the dam. The pattern of each of the markers is the genetic profile or genotype of the individual. This profile is constant for an individual but differs between individuals. So why is a genetic profile useful in a breeding operation? One obvious reason is the ability to confirm identity. If a deer is stolen or poached, positive identification through genotyping can lead to the return of the animal or incarceration of the poacher. In addition, a set of shed antlers can be positively matched to a specific buck. The genetic profile is a definite plus in any registry program. Another use for a genetic profile is to confirm a pedigree. The genetic profiles from both the fawn and alleged sire are compared. By definition, the biological sire will share markers with the fawn. If there are mismatches, then the buck is excluded as the sire. The same can be done with the genetic profile of the dam. Using this DNA technology in a university research program, we have actually found evidence of twin fawns being sired by two different bucks. There is definitely an added value when you can actually show proof of pedigree. The application of DNA technology to white-tailed deer is relatively recent. There are a few academic labs working in the field and there are now a few commercial labs offering these tests. Clearly these DNA tests will become an everyday part of the deer breeding business.
Michigan Deer and Elk Farmers Association MDEFA WITHDRAWS FROM AEPB On August 17, 2001, the Board of Directors for the Michigan Deer and Elk Farmers Association (MDEFA) rescinded membership affiliation with the American Elk Products Board (AEPB). Also, MDEFA does not endorse nor support in any manner the AEPB developed Elk Quality Assurance Program (EQAP). MDEFA requested AEPB return the $3,000 membership fee immediately. Alex Draper, MDEFA President * * * * * * * * * * * * * * REFERENDUM SET FOR MICHIGAN STATE DEER AND ELK MARKETING PROGRAM LANSING, Oct. 25, 2001 - Michigan deer and elk producers will vote whether to support a self-funded industry marketing program during a referendum scheduled from Oct. 29 to Nov. 9, 2001. If approved, the program would assess deer and elk producers who sold at least $1,000 worth of product in any one production season within the last three years. These producers would annually be assessed $4 per head for elk and red deer and $2 per head for all other cervidae, with herd totals determined on Dec. 31 of each year. The program also would collect $10 for each animal sold or slaughtered and up to 5 percent of the sale of velvet and other cervidae products, excluding meat and venison. Collected funds would support education, market development and promotional efforts designed to improve the profitability of Michigan's privately owned cervidae industry. "Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) supports deer and elk producers having this opportunity to decide whether they want a self-funded marketing program," said Ernie Birchmeier, MFB livestock and dairy specialist. "Many producers who testified in support of this referendum spoke positively about the opportunity to invest some of their own dollars into promoting their own product, and that really is the true essence of a check-off program," he said. Birchmeier said the sale of velvet and other cervidae products currently is a niche market in Michigan. But the proposed check-off program, he said, could help increase consumer awareness about deer and elk products and help drive up statewide demand. A petition signed by 211 deer and elk producers supporting a marketing program was originally filed with the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) in April. A temporary committee of privately owned cervidae owners was appointed to draft a program, and a state public hearing on the committee's proposal was held in September. MDA Director Dan Wyant on Oct. 17 issued the order calling for a referendum by mail ballot. Contact: Ernie Birchmeier, 800-292-2680, ext. 2024 North American Deer Farmers Association Phyllis Menden has been appointed as the new Executive Director of NADeFA replacing Barbara Ramey Fox. Phyllis was formerly the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Commercial Deer & Elk Farmer's Association. We at Deerfarmer.com wish Phyllis the very best of success in her new position and look forward to working with her to promote our industry. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Steve Laughlin, of Ohio, has been elected as the new Chairperson of the East Central Branch (ECB) of the North American Deer Farmers Association (NADeFA). He takes over from Thelma Morgan, who deserves a much needed rest. "As chairman of the ECB, I wants to stress the importance of legislative issues that concern exotic animal ownership and get our members to realize how many people there are out there who would like to shut us down. I want to somehow get out the message that whether raising deer is your hobby or your main source of income, it doesn't matter, we all need to write our political leaders and let them know that there are opposing views when it comes down to animal rights issues. I would also like to stress to our members the importance of recruiting new members into the organization, and getting everyone on the same page so that we all speak alike on these issues." After 25 years as an locomotive engineer for the Penn Central RR, then Conrail, Steve was diagnosed with a heart ailment that ended his career and put him on disability. In searching for something to keep him occupied, he went back to an idea that he had tossed around for years, and decided to look into raising whitetails. After much study, he began putting up fence in late 1999 and bought our first deer in April, 2000. The Laughlins currently have 17 whitetails and are now concentrating on getting fawns from 200BC+ bloodlines to breed on their farm, which is located near Canton, Ohio USA outside the small town of Magnolia. For more information on NADeFA, and how you can become involved, contact Steve at mailto:sklisret@earthlink.net Canadian Cervid Council MINISTER PETTIGREW SPEAKS WITH KOREAN COUNTERPART Mr. André Albinati, assistant to International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew, confirmed yesterday that the Minister raised concerns with his Korean counterpart regarding the ban of velvet products from Canada - especially the lack of progress in negotiations. The Korean Minister was aware of the issue and both Ministers agreed to get their officials to follow it up in a short period of time. The Canadian Cervid Council was assured by Mr. Albinati that we would be made aware of any new development and that the Minister's staff where asked to follow-up. ON-FARM FOOD SAFETY COMMITTEE The On-Farm Food Safety Committee met last week in Saskatoon to work on the development of a HACCP-type of generic model for on-farm operations. The meeting was useful and included presentations from Albert Chambers, coordinator of the program at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and Rod Woboro a consultant associated with the Guelph Food Technology Centre that will assist the Committee in the development of its plan. The Canadian Cervid Council wishes to thank the Governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta for their support and assistance with Mr. Ray Nixdorf (Saskatchewan) and Mr. Jayson Galbraith (Alberta) that will act as advisors to the Committee. CCC PREPARING DELEGATION TO KOREA AND NEW ZEALAND The Canadian Cervid Council is preparing its delegation to both Korea and New Zealand that will take place in early February. In order to be completely prepared, the Council is looking at the development of a brochure in English, Korean and French on Cervid farming in Canada - a brochure that will especially stress the quality control, the health standards and the different regulations looking at the cervid industry. Also, an industry profile is being prepared for the Council that will provide both industry groups, governments and our trading partners a good idea of what the cervid industry is all about in Canada.
Here is a list of upcoming events of interest to deer, elk and reindeer farmers. PURINA MILLS SEMINAR FOR DEER AND ELK PRODUCERS will be held on November 8, 2001 at Rathmel Run, Reynoldsville, PA. The speaker will be Dr. Larry Varner, wildlife nutrition and management consultant. Topics will include reading commercial feed tags, feed formulation, biosecurity issues and more. Call Larry Love at 724-887-8602. REINDEER OWNER'S AND BREEDER'S ASSOCIATION will hold their East Regional meeting on November 10-11, 2001 at Gloversville, NY USA. For more information phone Pat at 518-661-5038 or 515-661-7640 evenings. WHITETAILS OF WISCONSIN meeting will be held on Jan 5, 2002 at the Holiday Inn, Stevens Point, WI. For more information see http://www.whitetailsofwisconsin.com or e-mail mailto:info@whitetailsofwisconsin.com MINNESOTA ELK BREEDERS ASSOCIATION Annual Conference will be held on Jan. 12, 2002 at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center, Willmar, MN USA. For more information contact Brenda at phone 320-543-3664 or mailto:bhartkopf@cmgate.com ALBERTA ELK ASSOCIATION Annual Conference will be held from Jan. 24 to 26, 2002 at the Capri Inn in Red Deer, Alberta Canada. For more information, contact the AEA office at mailto:info@albertaelk.com or phone 1-780-980-7582. WORLD DEER CONGRESS III and NADEFA 2002 annual conference will be held on Feb. 20 to 23, 2002 in Austin Texas USA. For more information, call 301-459-7708 or mailto:info@nadefa.org or visit their website at http://www.nadefa.org TRANQUILIZATION AND REMOTE ANESTHESIA OF DEER AND ELK workshop will be offered by Dr. Keith Amass and Dr. Mark Drew for Safe-Capture International on Feb. 23-24, 2002 at the Doubletree Hotel, in Austin Texas (a post-conference workshop held in conjunction with the World Deer Congress). For more information and/or to register contact Safe-Capture International at mailto:safecaptur@aol.com or phone 1-608-767-3071, fax: 1-608-767-3071 or visit their website at http://www.safecapture.com REINDEER OWNER'S AND BREEDER'S ASSOCIATION Annual Meeting and Conference will be held on Feb. 22-24, 2002 at Frankenmuth, MI USA. For more information phone Gordon at 616-772-2584 or mailto:gpoest@novagate.com SASKATCHEWAN WHITE TAIL AND MULE DEER PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION will hold their 2002 annual convention on March 15-17, 2002 at the Delta Hotel in Regina. For more information contact Lisa at mailto:info@saskdeer.com NORTH AMERICAN ELK BREEDERS ASSOCIATION 12th Annual Convention will be held on March 21-24, 2002 at the Riviera, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. For more information contact mailto:info@naelk.org or phone 816-431-3605. ALBERTA WHITETAIL AND MULE DEER ASSOCIATION Annual Convention will be held at the Capri (Red Deer, Alberta, Canada) April 5 to 7, 2001. For more information contact AWMDA at mailto:info@albertadeer.com or visit their web site at http://www.albertadeer.com WHITETAILS OF WISCONSIN ANNUAL MEETING will be held on April 6, 2002 at the Stoney Creek Inn, Wausau, WI. For more information see http://www.whitetailsofwisconsin.com or e-mail mailto:info@whitetailsofwisconsin.com Many more events, including deer/elk sales, trade shows and workshops, are listed in the Calendar section of Deerfarmer.com at http://events.deerfarmer.com . Take advantage of this free service to list your upcoming events.
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We are always looking for articles and news about deer and elk farming that we can print in this newsletter. E-mail, fax or mail your ideas and articles to the Editor as per below. For more general information, comments and suggestions, please contact: Russell Sawchuk E-mail: mailto:editor@deerfarmer.com DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for general information only. It should not be relied upon to make business or farming decisions without first obtaining professional advice. Accordingly, we cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from any advice, opinion, representation or omission, whether negligent or otherwise, contained in this newsletter. ©2001 Deerfarmer.com. The Deer Farmers' Digest may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Permission from the editor must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. All articles are written by Russell Sawchuk (Editor) unless otherwise noted. Deerfarmer.com is a division of Steppingstones Partnership, Inc. ( http://www.steppingstones.ca). ISSN 1499-1357 Deer Farmers' Digest (Online). All issues of the Deer Farmers' Digest (print and electronic) are archived and catalogued at the National Library of Canada. On-line copies can be found at http://collection.nlc-bnc.ca/100/201/300/deer_farmers_digest/ . |
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