I hope this letter reaches you all in good health and spirits. As I write this letter it is a cold fall day of 50 degrees which started out in the upper 30’s. Here in central Michigan we have had a couple of frosts and they are calling for a freeze tonight. I sure hope, along with everyone else I’m sure that this gets rid of the midges.
Ehd sure has moved across our state and well into the north. Reports have shown many deer have died this year, captive and wild. The market for stocker bucks has been strong again this year and should continue with the possible shortage next year.
The grant money for genetic testing and the funding for breeding cwd resistant deer has been approved. I do believe this program is available for this falls breeding. MDARD should be releasing details about the program very soon at which point we will send out an email blast to all of the members.
I want to wish everyone good luck with their breeding program this fall. Be safe.
Thank you.
Ken Brown President UDFoM
Cover Correction for Last Issue
Our summer issue cover had the incorrect ad image on the bottom right corner of the cover. (Where it says “See Ad Inside”)
The correct ad is inside on page 3.
Thank you to All Game Coverage for surpporting the United Deer Farmers of Michigan!
Correct Ad!
Breeder Buck 2024 Showcase Magazine is
We created this magazine in order for 2024 Breeder and Hunting Preserve advertisers to showcase their most recent photos of their bucks close to the last days of antler growth. We realize establishing a collective deadline for all states Fall magazines to publish on the same date to obtain last-minute photos would be impossible to achieve. With this magazine, advertisers have one more chance to showcase their bucks.
~ Thank you to all that participated!
would
CONGRESSIONAL OUTLOOK PRE-ELECTION
Introduction
With an increasingly divisive election campaign, Congressional deadlock, and a looming government funding deadline on October 1st, it is clear that 2024 will be a pivotal year for American politics. Congress has so far failed to pass its twelve annual appropriations bills for fiscal year 2025 (FY25), including the Farm bill by the August recess, and debates on immigration and foreign aid are expected to play out as election season begins.
Elections
On November 5th, Vice President Kamala Harris (D) will face former President Donald Trump (R) to decide who will be the 47th President of the United States. At the moment, polling shows the candidates to be statistically tied nationally while Vice President Harris holds a slim lead in most swing states. On July 15th, former President Trump announced his selection for freshman Ohio Senator J.D. Vance while Vice President Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Both VP picks appear intended to bolster their running mate’s standing in Midwest battleground states such as Ohio and Michigan. Down-ballot Republicans are broadly expected to gain a majority in the Senate, where the Democrats will be forced to defend eights seats located in swing states and red states. The House of Representatives appears to be in play for either party.
Legislative Outlook
On March 23rd President Biden signed a continuing resolution (CR) for the funding of the federal government through September 30th. The bill passed the House of Representatives with a margin of 286-134 and the Senate by a margin of 74-24. Major provisions included additional funding for the National Institutes of Health, measures to respond to the opioid epidemic and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. As the October 1st deadline for the FY25 appropriations bills draws closer, the current process is ongoing but it is not expected that a majority of the spending bills will pass before election day.
Farm Bill
On June 11th, the House Appropriations Committee released the initial version of the FY2025 Farm bill. The bill would provide additional funding to safety-net programs for farmers as well as doubling the allocation to support trade promotion efforts. Speciality crop programs also saw funding increases, improved the availability of energy cost reduction programs and implements new measures to track land purchase by foreign entities, particularly those based in China. More controversially, the bill includes two items that have proved extremely unpopular with Democrats, leaving the current bill unlikely to pass the Senate. These provisions are limits placed on future increases in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the removal of ‘climate-smart’ requirements for the use of $13 billion in conservation funding allocated in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) earlier this year. These issues will need to be resolved if the bill is to pass before the September 30th deadline although it is possible that both the Farm bill and National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) would remain funded until the end of the year, even without an agreement.
Conclusion
It remains unclear how the Farm Bill under consideration will look, after amendments and negotiations between the House and Senate. However, both parties have expressed the desire to pass all major legislation for FY25 before the October 1st deadline. If they fail to meet this target it is likely that funding will be allocated in the form of continuing resolutions (CR) to maintain levels of funding from the last fiscal year until a compromise can be reached or a new government installed. As the election is getting closer, lawmakers are using August and October to campaign for their respective seats and garner support for their preferred presidential candidate. Although it is unclear who the winner will be in the White House and which party will have control of Congress, the country is set for another historic election once again.
Magazine Deadlines / Event Calendar
Disclaimer: The information contained in this advertisement is general in nature and is intended for use as an informational aid. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the medications shown, nor is the information intended as medical advice or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of using a particular medication. You should consult with your veterinarian about diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor has the FDA approved the medications to diagnose, cure or prevent disease. Medications compounded by Mixlab are prepared at the direction of a veterinarian. Mixlab compounded veterinary preparations are not intended for use in food and food-producing animals. Mixlab does not recommend, endorse or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any specific dosing, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, veterinary care providers, or other information that may be contained in this advertisement. Mixlab is not responsible nor liable for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products that you obtain through this advertisement.
PREPARING DOES FOR BREEDING SEASON ADVICE FROM ALABAMA
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by The Alabama Deer Farmers Association
Successfully getting your does from the weaning pens to the breeding pens can be considered somewhat of a science, perfected through the course of experience combined with a little trial and error. “Breeding plans can get complicated with everything you need to consider such as CWD resistance, pedigrees and antlers,” explains Cameron Odom, owner of Five O’s Ranch, a 41-acre spread begun in 2015 in Citronelle, Alabama. At Five O’s Ranch, a farm which is currently home to 140 deer that is expecting close to 100 fawns in the spring, “we make every effort to make sure our does are as healthy as they can be and ready for breeding season.”
At the forefront of these preparations should be the constant monitoring for and prevention of EHD. The city of Citronelle, known since 1955 as the oil capital of Alabama and located 34 miles north of Mobile, has its fair share of annual rain and occasional hurricanes and along with that a higher prevalence of bacteria, midge flies and EHD.
“If a doe has had a bout of EHD close to breeding season, I highly recommend not putting her through the stress of A.I.,” Odom, 48, said. “At our farm, we would breed her naturally instead through live cover.”
To have the healthiest does, a diet high in quality hay, grain and minerals is recommended yearround, with an increase of those things during the winter and spring months as fawns are developing, born and raised (simultaneously along with future breeding plans and preparations.) “I feel this is something every farm should practice, along with regular wormings and vaccinations, to ensure their does have appropriate antibodies and that their body condition is good,” Odom said.
Body condition and overall health also factors into weaning fawns. “If one of your does becomes sick in August or September, it’s not recommended that you compound the situation by pulling fawns off,” Odom said. “Wait a couple weeks
or so until she is healthy again. Remember you want your does as strong and as healthy as they can get as breeding season approaches.”
A strong hunting economy, perpetuated by an abundance of state-wide preserves, means the demand for deer is high. In Alabama, a closed-border state, maintaining healthy deer herds is essential to the long-term success of every deer farm. “Essentially, good animal husbandry is the biggest key to success,” Odom shared. “Knowing your herd and laying eyes of them every day, even twice a day, is an important part of this. Be vigilant and aware. Vaccinate and utilize A.I. whenever you can to increase hearty genetic variety while being mindful of your end market. Is CWD resistance important? Antler size? Negative GEBV markers? Or all of the above?”
Odom feels everyone involved in The Alabama Deer Farmers Association strives hard to stay abreast of the latest industry trends, and to be compliant with the regulations set in place by The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “We have a great group of deer farmers operating well-run and well managed deer farms,” Odom said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to do what we love with the support of our spouses, friends, family and customers.”
clashing
Does the sound of antlers
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GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR SEMEN STRAWS
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by MDFA
Scott Fier drives down the long scenic road from the center of town to his 30-acre deer farm of 21 years, Buffalo Ridge Whitetails in Porter, Minnesota. Trees are beginning to turn from green, to gold and crimson as the season of fall settles on the horizon, accompanied by shorter days and cooler temperatures. T-shirts are replaced by sweaters and jackets. Fawns are well on their way to being weaned. And it seems just about the time they are, preparation for breeding season begins. While careful management strategies dictate that some deer farmers opt for live cover certain years, other farms rely exclusively on semen straws to diversify their genetics, breed for CWD resistance, acquire more buck or doe fawns or perhaps incorporate more powerful doe lines. Depending on herd size, your budget or the amount invested in a semen straw (which can range in price anywhere from $100 to $10,000 per straw) deer farmers have three options for breeding their prized does. These options include vaginal insemination, laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAP A.I.) or embryo transfer.
While vaginal insemination may cost less up front and not require as much preparation, an entire semen straw, delivered via an insemination gun, must be administered per doe. While this does not necessarily require a vet to be present, comparatively, using LAP A.I., two to three does can be bred per semen straw. However, A.I. procedures require a veterinarian to perform the procedure which is akin to surgery. Whichever method you use “you’re going to have some expense either way,” said Fier. However, the ultimate decision as to which method to use may come down to how much each semen straw costs. The higher the cost, the more likely you will be to
use LAP A.I. and increase the number of fawns with those high-end genetics, Fier, 43, explained. Preparing for these procedures requires the farmer or paid professional to handle each straw with great care. While semen straws can be stored indefinitely in storage tanks, the liquid nitrogen inside each tank (responsible for keeping the temperature -300 below zero) must be refilled quarterly and acquired through your local semen storage facility, where semen can also be stored and maintained. Once out of the tank, straws must be placed in 96degree water in a thermos to thaw for approximately two minutes. “Always try to use the thawed semen as quickly as possible,” Fier said. “It can remain viable as long as the straw is used within 20 to 30 minutes.”
Does receiving vaginal insemination are generally run through a chute where they may or may not be sedated. Does receiving LAP A.I. are always sedated, tilted on their backs and shaved around their teats and bellies. Upon sanitizing those areas, a veterinarian makes a tiny slit near
the udder and using a microscope and tiny needle, injects semen into each uterine horn. While the success rate of vaginal insemination and LAP A.I. is very good, farmers typically use a “back-up” buck around the 18th day after insemination, to ensure the highest chances of doe pregnancy. DNA tests can prove whether fawns are the prodigy of the semen straw or the back-up buck, once they are born. However, an earlier delivery date points to vaginal insemination, LAP A.I. or embryo transfer. In addition to selecting a procedure that fits your needs and budget, deer farmers can also choose between conventional semen straws with 75mm per .5cc straw or approximately 50 million sperm cells or sexed semen straws with .25mm per straw or approximately 9 million sperm cells. However, given the amount of does a deer farmer may want to breed, bigger farms may feel that LAP A.I. is usually the best choice given a semen straw will go farther, Fier said. The question is “do you want to breed 10 does or 50?”
Ultimate Venison Meatballs
Enjoy these easy baked venison meatballs with your favorite sauce and pasta for a hearty, comforting meal. They’re tender and meaty without any gamey taste. A crowd-pleasing way to enjoy ground venison!
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small red or yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup )
• 4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 1 pound ground venison
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 egg, or flax egg
• 1/4 cup oat flour or breadcrumbs
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add onion to the pan and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper and cook an additional 2 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool for a couple of minutes.
3. Meanwhile, add the remaining ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Add the cooled onion mixture and using clean hands mix together until thoroughly combined.
4. Using a medium cookie scoop, roll the mixture into balls and place on the baking sheet.
5. Bake for 22-25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown.
6. Use as desired or freeze for use at a later date.
TREASURING HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES SHARED MEMORIES WITH JAKE ANDERSON
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by KALA
The clock was close to striking midnight when Jake Anderson set out for an eastern Kentucky elk hunt in September of 2013. This trip would be one of several he would take in an effort to not waste the coveted elk tag he had drawn from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife lottery earlier that summer. His plan, along with packing his hunting bow and camping gear, was to arrive at daybreak to scope out promising areas for the harvest.
“The maps provided by fish and wildlife were terrible,” Anderson, who was 25 at the time, said. And even though he stopped at several places to ask the locals about elk sightings “no one could tell me anything,” he added. “This was all on public land with no guide.” It took five trips. The first was with one of his hunting friends. Although on that trip Anderson squarely landed an arrow into a really sizable bull, the big elk was completely unfazed by the shot and continued on chasings cows, until completely disappearing from sight. His fifth trip found him shooting a fatal arrow into what Anderson still
considers his “once-in-a-lifetime” freerange elk. Luckily, the elk had expired on a dirt road on land formerly used for mining, and Anderson was able to bring his truck into the exact location and load the entire body into his truck bed.
Ironically, as he arrived to this particular spot to gather his elk, he found five elk standing right there, all bigger than the one he had just taken down. “I thought ‘you gotta be kidding me. This is just my luck,” Anderson said, even though he was really happy with his hunted treasure. During another hunt, a whitetail hunt in Kansas, both Anderson and his uncle had shot an arrow at a buck. Anderson, however, had taken and landed the first shot. Both men, upon searching for their deer, thought that their arrow had certainly been the fatal one. However, when they found the buck, only one arrow was in it. “That was another memorable hunt that really stands out for me,” Anderson said.
Yet, in all the hunting adventures he’s enjoyed throughout the years, Anderson has noticed one thing. Public land for hunting decreases every year.
According to internet research, rapid urban sprawl has been responsible for close to 14,000 square miles of land development between 2001 and 2019, which comparatively is an area roughly five times the size of the State of Delaware. Real estate values for farmland have also increased substantially throughout recent years, making selling the land more enticing particularly in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Florida. Other states experiencing the most accelerated urban growth have included Texas, Illinois and North Dakota. “Unless you own land or are leasing it, our opportunities to hunt in open range are going to be gone,” Anderson, owner of Anderson Whitetails in Guston, Kentucky, said. “There is less and less land to hunt and we are going to get to a point where there will be no place left to hunt. This is where we are lucky to have high fence hunting. You could hunt your whole life and never have the opportunity to shoot one like you have in a preserve.”
“Without high fence hunting, it is so hard for an individual to find somewhere to hunt that’s not developed or leased out,” Anderson emphasized. “If I visited a preserve, I’d like to get another elk. Same for other hunters. It wouldn’t have to be just a whitetail. You might be sitting in a deer stand an elk goes walking by and you change your mind and want one of them instead. And you wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of entering a lottery and getting a special tag. Preserve owners are playing a vital role in current and future land conservation, and in providing the sustained opportunities to enjoy unforgettable hunts.”
IF YOU HAVEN’T TRIED PNEU-DART’S RDD S, YOU’RE MISSING MORE THAN YOUR TARGET
2024 UDFoM
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Thank you for your support!
MISSOURI DEER FARMERS SHARE
IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW, WHAT I MAY HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY STARTING MY DEER FARM
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by MDA
With shovels in hand and an agenda to fill, Rachel and Brad Monnig recently trenched 600 feet of water line at their eight-acre farm, Cedar Ridge Whitetails in Salisbury, Missouri. After fifteen years of dragging hoses to water troughs it was time for something easier. In fact, it was way past time. Today water hydrants line their deer farm, saving them a substantial amount of time caring for their deer.
Saving time and money when raising deer is a subject Roxanne and Jeff Knibb of Knibb Whitetails near St. Louis, Missouri, know all too well. Today, their seven breeding pens are lined with Rangemaster high-tensile horse fence. Fawns no longer get their heads stuck in the fence. Strips of Geogrid no longer litter the pens, making for a much better presentation during farm tours. And life is good for their deer herd, which numbers close to 200 head, housed in 19 one-acre pens. However, things did not start out so well when they acquired their first deer, four bred does, in 2009.
“We thought we could preempt the problem of fawns escaping through six-inch spacing without having to line the breeding pens,” Roxanne, 62,
explained. “So, we used Stay-Tuff fence with three-inch spacing on the whole farm. The problem was, while the fawns could not escape, they still tried . . . and got their heads stuck in the fence.” Their first ‘solution’ was to line the breeding pens with Geogrid, a lightweight plastic product that was easily attached to the Stay-Tuff fence using cable ties. But both the Geogrid and the cable ties degraded with exposure and had to be replaced every few years. The deer also took to entertaining themselves by tearing strips off the fence and distributing them around the pen.
The solution that finally and actually worked very well was in lining the breeder pens with Rangemaster horse fence from Kencove (Fastlock Woven Wire, 13/48”/2”, 12 ½ Ga). The Knibbs used a Pneumatic Hog Ring Tool (Type HC715) and stainless-steel Hog Rings (KSF15SS100B, C-ring style, .75” open/.3125” closed), both from King-Hughes Fasteners, to attach the Rangemaster fence to the Stay-Tuff fence as needed (about one ring per square foot of fence). “At first we were afraid the fence would be so stiff that more fawns would die when they hit it,” Roxanne said. “But the fence has been
up since 2021, and thankfully, that has not been the case. A fence that provides safety and longevity is a joy to have.”
Looking at longevity factors such as fencing is something the Monnig’s wholeheartedly agree with, along with the selection of genetics, pen design and layout at their farm which now houses close to 70 deer. “Looking back, we should have toured a lot more farms and asked a lot more questions,” Rachel, 35, said. “You’re always going to end up with more deer than you planned. Determining your future ‘add-ons’ and how that would go with your existing layout is important. It’s also important to know your goals and who you’re trying to sell to, the breeder market or stocker market. As a farm that raises stockers, we now use sexed semen so we will have more bucks than does.”
If the Monnig’s and Knibb’s could offer a universal piece of advice to new deer farmers – it’s longevity. “The key is all in the planning,” Rachel said. “For example, consider power does. They are hard to make and hard to replace. Or that doe that will milk any baby. Always plan for what the future could mean with every decision you make. It will pay off.”
Hilty Whitetails
Phone (260) 248-1684
1 Year Old Bucks
#1272/392131 Red Barron/Texas Tea/Gladiator
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2 Year Old Bucks
#1081/392431 Highpower/Gladiator/GB Buckster
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The rules for sudoku are simple: A 9x9 square must be filled in with numbers from 1-9 with no repeated numbers in each line, horizontally or vertically. To challenge you more, there are 3x3 squares marked out in the grid, and each of these squares can’t have any repeat numbers either.
Answers to puzzles will be available in the next issue, or can be found on our website: www.deersites.com
Coloring pages can be mailed to Samantha Uchytil 19291 59th St NE, New London, MN 56273 or emailed to deerassociations.com for a chance to be featured in the next issue!
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