UMW Fall 24

Page 1


CAPITAL HILL UPDATE

Congressional Outlook Pre-Election

Sponsored by NADEFA

PREPARING DOES FOR BREEDING SEASON

Advice from Alabama

Sponsored by ADA

RAISING AND KEEPING EXOTICS

Kansas Deer Farmers Offer Insight

Sponsored by KEDA

SIRE DOE GENETICS

2024 Membership Application

(Illinois) ILDFA: Assoc. Member $25 Active Member $50 Lifetime Member $500 (Iowa) IWDA: _____ Assoc. Member $50 _____ Active Member $100 Lifetime Member $500 (Minnesota) MDFA: Assoc. Member $50 _____ Active Member $75 (North Dakota) NDDRA: Assoc. Member $50 Active Member $75 (South Dakota) SDEBA: Assoc. Member $25 _____ Animal Owners $50

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a resident of any of these states and required to be an active member, please select the correct level above. If you are not sure of your membership status with a state and you sign up, your payment will cover you for the next year. *** These states allow anyone that lives in their state and not raising deer but have interest to supporting the industry to be at the Associate Membership Level. This level is a non-voting level.

Name: Spouse or Partner:

Farm Name/Company:

Membership Address: City: State: Zip:____________County

Main preferred listing phone: Alternate listing phone: Fax: Email:

WebSite:

Check which apply ___:Own Hunting Preserve ___Own Breeding Operation ___Industry Supplier Species Raised: ___ Whitetail Deer ___Elk ___Mule Deer Other Species Raised:

Products I Offer: __ Meat __Velvet Antler __ Industry Supplies __ Feed __ Nutritional Supplements ___Vaccine ___Graphic Design & or Web Design Other Products or Services:

I hereby make application for membership to these associations, agreeing to conform to the Code of Ethics and Bylaws governing the associations.

Signature:

Date:

I give permission to have my contact information published in the annual directory and on the website Yes No

Please mail applications to:

ILDFA: Chet Hostettler, 510 S. Pine St, Arthur, IL 61911

IWDA: Adam Helgeland, 15425 450th St., Leland IA 50453 MDFA: Mark Volk, 9095 160th Ave, Royalton, MN 56373 NDDRA: Lani Schafer, 1223 18th Ave NW, Turtle Lake, ND 58575

SDEBA: Brandon Walker, 19145 Robbs Flat Road, Midland, SD 57552

Mike Ryckman

President Ryckman Whitetails PO Box 565

Linton, ND 58552

Board of Directors

Chris Ryckman

Missouri Valley Muleys 6160 Hiway 1804

Bismarck, ND 58504

Secretary/Treasurer 1223 18th Ave NW

Turtle Lake, ND 58575

Bob Miller

Evolution Whitetails 10801 52nd St NE Bismarck, ND 58503

Butch Dick Board Member 6379 123rd Ave SE Lisbon, ND 58054

North Dakota Deer Ranchers Association

Embracing Good Working Relationships - OVERVIEW

A Word from Outgoing President Mike Ryckman

As we embrace a change in presidential leadership for the North Dakota Deer Ranchers Association, let me say how much I’ve enjoyed my duties as your association president. We look forward to working with newly elected President Mike Elsberry of Dakota Mulleys in Grand Forks, North Dakota. I believe his vast experiences in the industry will help to greatly guide our future decisions and direction as an association.

At our annual picnic August 10th not only did we welcome a new president, we also welcomed guest speaker Fred Huebner of Circle H Whitetails in Iowa whose topic, GEBV’s and CWD resistance, is always one we are eager to stay abreast of. Our other guest speaker, Terry Lincoln, shed interesting light on sedating deer with his informative presentation. We appreciate the time they both took out of their busy schedules to be with us and were also very pleased to have a representative from The Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, as well as two representatives from the North Dakota Department of Game and Fish. We appreciate being able to talk with them, have an up close and personal meeting and share ‘our side’ and what we’re doing within the cervid industry to minimize EHD and CWD.

We are also very grateful for picnic Host Chris Ryckman of Missouri Valley Mulleys, and the time he spent in putting the event together. Close to 30 participants enjoyed great barbeque ribs and corn on the cob, complete with absolutely gorgeous weather. We couldn’t have asked for a better day for a true picnic! As an association, we believe that North Dakota is one of the easier states to raise deer. There is a tremendous amount of transparency among our group and see each other more as partners. We are open with each other, and we have a really good culture and really good working relationships with each other. I’m proud that our new president can step into his role in such a welcoming environment. We all know how lucky we are to do what we love.

Mike Ryckman

"We couldn’t have asked for a better day for a true picnic!"
- Mike Ryckman

Board of Directors

Scott Fier

President

Buffalo Ridge Whitetails 3788 260th Ave Porter, MN 56280

507-829-3151 fierscott@gmail.com

Steve Uchytil

Mark Volk

Treasurer Volk Whitetails 9095 160th Ave Royalton, MN 56373

320-232-3352 volkwhitetails@outlook.com

Vice President Crow River Whitetails 14681 175th St NE Atwater, MN 56209 320-894-1914

crowriverwhitetails@gmail.com

Steve Porter

Gary Olson

Olson Whitetails 34526 State Hwy 30 Lanesboro, MN 55949 507-269-9791 garypolson2005@yahoo.com

Secretary Porter Whitetails 1828 350th Ave Lake Bronson, MN 56734 218-526-0180 porterwhitetail@gmail.com

Steve Dougherty

Deb Holthaus

Two Rivers Deer Farm PO BOX 336 Little Falls, MN 56345 320-360-4667

Deb@Benefits-MN.com

Zumbro River Whitetails 57479 375th Ave Zumbro Falls, MN 55991 507-269-7346

steve@zumbroriverwhitetails.com

Ken Williams

Williams Whitetails 30567 440TH ST

Melrose, MN 56352

320-291-3385 kwilliams7777@outlook.com

Scott Salonek Elm Creek Elk 15520 S Diamond Lake Rd Dayton, MN 55327 612-850-8684

Board of Directors

Adam Helgeland

President

Trophy Whitetail Deer 15425 450th St. Leland, IA 50453 641-590-3410 adamhelgeland@gmail.com

Mike Hine

Timberghost Ranch PO Box 545 Mediapolis, IA 52639 319-394-9876 mike@timberghost.com

Jake Lahr

Double "O" Whitetails 2608 325th St Hopkinton, IA 52237 319-975-0005 jlahr.w@gmail.com

Matt Nebel

River Bottom Game Farm 2717 275th Ave Dewitt, IA 52742 563-580-4149

Fred Huebner

Vice President Circle H Ranch 2575 Iowa Keokuk Rd. North English, IA 52316 319-530-7824 circleh@netins.net

Roger Strunk

Secretary Strunk's Whitetail Haven 508 Franklin 3rd St West Point, IA 52656

319-470-2413 rlstrunk@yahoo.com

Mick Tonderum

GMT Farms Inc. 2008 5th St. Emmetsburg, IA 50536 712-260-7310 gmtfarms74@hotmail.com

Chad Machart

Prairie Antler Ranch 24424 180th St Anamosa, IA 52205 319-540-9311

DEER & ELK PHOTOS WANTED!

Greg Leenderts Chairman Whitetail Farms 48474 257th St Garretson, SD 57030 507-227-6328 gleenderts@alliancecom.net

Brandon Walker Secretary/Treasurer

Cedar Breaks Mule Deer Ranch 19145 Robbs Flat Road Midland, SD 57552 608-695-0796 brandon@cedarbreaksranch.com

Mark Hollenbeck Sunrise Ranch 277772 Elbow Canyon Road Edgemont, SD 57735 605-685-3376 markholl@gwtc.net

Shane Zylstra Vice-Chairman 28863 471st Ave, Beresford, SD 57004

605-777-2731 shane.zylstra1@gmail.com

Cody Warne Stone Meadow Ranch 3520 LAMBETH PL Pierre, SD 57501

605-222-7407 codybuckwarne@msn.com

Rob Curtis

605-840-1079 rclandd@hotmail.com

Liz Vogelsong 605-310-2703 lizblain21@gmail.com

If any members of SDDEBA or other breeders/ranches of South Dakota have pictures of their deer and or elk please email to Brandon Walker. We are looking for South Dakota deer and elk producer pictures that we can post on our website. We do not need to share your farm/ranch information unless you want us to.

Grant Carrolan

President

Hidden Hollow Whitetails 12820 Prosperity Road Marion, IL 62959 618-559-5952 gra5566@yahoo.com

Chet Hostettler

Treasurer

Illini Whitetails 510 S. Pine St. Arthur, IL 61911 217-246-8566 illwchet@gmail.com

Board of Directors

Chase Baker

Vice President

Baker Whitetails 13289 Carter Rd. Junction, IL 62954 618-841-9776 bakerwhitetails@outlook.com

Kyle Neal

Secretary Neal's Whitetail Ranch 17952 Rescue Church Rd Ewing, IL 62836 618- 967-0076 nealfarms38@hotmail.com

Rick Davidson - 2023-2026

Illinois Dominant Bucks 12035 N Fox Rd Marshall, IL 62441 217- 260-2825 rdavidson@vivecrop.com

Rusty Karr - 2022-2025

Dominant Genetics PO Box 138 Wapella, IL 61777 309- 275-9567 rusty_k2000@yahoo.com

Larry Hackethal - 2021-2024

PO Box 655 Cobden, IL 62920 618- 893-2252 pro1ab@frontier.com

Ryan Sauls - 2024-2027

Flatland Whitetails 1279 Co. Rd. 500 East Enfield, IL 62835 618-380-3073 chanda_1221@hotmail.com

Billie Rix - 2023-2026

Red Wire Ranch

7350 Old Stage Rd Morris, IL 60450 630-816-8977 billierix@yahoo.com

Mark Voss - 2024-2027

Voss Whitetails 12430 SLANT RD Carlyle, IL62231 618-343-5653 vosswhitetails@gmail.com

Riley "Dink" Vaughan 2023-2026

Vaughan Deer Farm 925 CR 540 N. Norris City, IL 62869 618-383-0227 vaughnriley780@gmail.com

Travis Phelps - 2023-2026

Moultrie County Monsters 1535 CB 750 E. Sullivan, Il 61951 217-246-1319 mocomonsters@gmail.com

Vice President’s Message

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

SPRING

&

Hope this message finds all the members well. It appears to be one of the worst years across the nation for EHD & Blue Tongue. Hopefully it is passed for everyone. If your farm was affected, the USDA Livestock Indemnity Program can be helpful. I believe the payment is $600 per deer this year, it doesn’t replace the loss but it helps! If you need help with this, please feel free to call me or another board member.

In recent news, Illinois was awarded the USDA Cooperative Agreement Funds again this year, in addition to the CWD Sampling class this year they applied for the Predictive Genetics(Nadr sampling) and Selective breeding. Currently we are waiting for them to release the application and guidelines. Be watching your emails and mailbox for more information from Illinois Department of Ag.

We are just under 4 months away from our Fundraiser. We have a room block and discounted rate at the Comfort Inn across from the venue. We are accepting donations any time. If you have any suggestions, comments, or want to help let us know!

All the best,

618-841-9776

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

RAISING AND KEEPING EXOTICS

KANSAS FARMERS OFFER INSIGHT

Holding a homemade plywood shield in one hand and several peanuts in the other, red deer farmer Kevin Constant walks out to his deer pens in the spring to tag newborn red deer calves. A fiercely protective hind (female) stands ready in an instant to defend her baby. Constant, who is also ready to defend himself, tosses peanuts on the ground and then with hyper-focused precision, gets the job done as quickly as possible. While red deer may be heartier and perhaps easier to raise then whitetails, they can also be very aggressive when it comes to protecting their young.

Raising red deer is akin to raising “big cows with big antlers,” said Constant, who, along with his wife Delores, own K & D Wildlife in Meriden, Kansas. “Red deer are very disease resistant and not as flighty as whitetails and are more adaptable to situations. They are more curious than cautious by nature. If you have a pair of gloves in your back pocket, they’ll try to steal them. If they grab them and take off and you chase them, it’s like ‘game on!” he said. “They’ll even climb into your vehicle if you let them.” Started in 2019, Constant, 61, was looking to raise livestock on their 80-acre sprawl. When a local farmer decided to part with his red deer herd, the Constants purchased it and have

been raising red deer ever since. While they appreciate their hardiness, they are also grateful for the low mortality rate the farm has experienced in keeping them. “We only lose about 10% of our babies a year,” he said. “We lost one from sickness that died four years ago, and we might lose one or two a year from new inexperienced mothers or if one comes out backwards.”

Exotic wildlife in general enjoy a more stress-free existence as collectively they are known for their hardiness and inquisitive, laid-back nature. However, curiosity can also prove deadly, as Brad Farmer of Farmer’s Fallow Deer in Viola, Kansas accidentally found out. While he has successfully and diligently raised fallow deer since 1990, he learned early on how much they like to chew on things. “I would caution people to take off the plastic twine and net wrap around hay bales,” Farmer, 63, said. “If ingested, it forms a calcified mass or “rim” around their rumen and fills it up, causing them to starve to death. But, you don’t know it until they are dead.” Shade cloth is another item that exotic deer farmers may want to avoid using as it often gets caught around antlers of curious bucks. “As long as you practice safety measures, fallow deer do really well and adapt to a wide variety of climates,” Farmer added.

Credited for bringing fallow deer to the United States is NADeFA Founder Josef Kerckerinck, who started Lucky Star Ranch in 1979 in Chaumont, New York after immigrating from Germany. Upon establishing his farm, he became steadfast in his desire to promote the venison market, his main motivation for establishing NADeFA. Soon, fallow deer became viable livestock on numerous farms throughout the U.S. and highly sought-after for their meat value. Fallow deer, the most popular exotic species to raise, are either of Mesopotamian descent (larger bodied with wide-base antlers) or European descent (smaller bodied and narrow-base antlers.)

Profit margins for selling exotics such as red deer and fallow can be very reasonable, as both Constant and Farmer feel the market value for their deer makes their efforts worthwhile. While both feed their herds hay, grain and silage (green fodder stored in a silo and fed throughout the winter), they also do quite well with naturally foraging. Raising exotics also requires farmers to obtain a state license. As with Farmer, Constant feels blessed to be able to raise exotics. For this opportunity “thanks be to God,” Constant said. “We believe in the promise of blessings and have seen it over and over in the success of our herd.”

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.

PREPARING DOES FOR BREEDING SEASON

ADVICE FROM ALABAMA

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.”

Hilty Whitetails

Phone (260) 248-1684

1 Year Old Bucks

#1272/392131

#1300/392156

2 Year Old Bucks

IF YOU HAVEN’T TRIED PNEU-DART’S RDD S, YOU’RE MISSING MORE THAN YOUR TARGET

FREE business card ads for members of Upper Midwest Associations

If you would like your farm or business featured on our business card pages, email digital pdf file or scanned image (must be readable resolution) of your business card to the email address below.

This gives Upper Midwest members a way to reach out to one another for services and to buy or sell deer! There will be limited pages for these card spreads, first come first serve. The overflow would be placed in the next issue and cards will be rotated each quarter.

ILDFA: Lisa_shepard83@yahoo.com IWDA: adamhelgeland@gmail.com MDFA: fierscott@gmail.com NDDRA: ryckman219@gmail.com SDDEBA: jamesfam13@outlook.com

If you have any questions please contact: Kathy Giesen: 435-817-0150

Does the sound of antlers clashing make you cringe each fall?

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Use PeaceMaker™ to help “keep the peace” during pre-rut, rut, transportation and other key times during the year

Now available in a 30 lb resealable bag and 11.25 lb pail to help fit your operation’s needs

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Breeder Buck 2024 Showcase Magazine is

Just in time for semen sales, getting ready for breeding season!

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!

320-905-2622 or 260-222-3478 Micr ochips

... if you would like to participate in our 2025 magazine, give us a call for more

THE IMPORTANCE OF METICULOUS RECORD KEEPING

Abig “framey” typical buck pauses from grazing and glances up at the horizon, focused on a noise in the distance. In that moment, Trey Havard just can’t help himself. He stops what he’s doing to admire the result of the careful genetics, hard work and dedication he and his wife Kayla have poured into their deer farm, Buddy’s Whitetails in Slaughter, Louisiana. While careful herd management is at the core of any successful deer farm, Havard, now in his eighth year of deer farming, also knows meticulous record keeping is just as important.

“Accurate records and identification of animals are very important in all livestock operations. Not only does it provide a means to track herd management and identify lost or stolen animals, but it also allows for disease traceability so veterinarians can rapidly identify which animals were potentially exposed to a disease,” said Louisiana Department of Agriculture

and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. “Better records allow for an accurate, expediated analysis and response to any situation.”

Thorough record keeping can cover a wide variety of topics from substantiating pedigrees, the loss, sale or purchase of animals, number of fawn births, fence inspection, quantities of feed bought and fed and drug use, to name several. While accurate record keeping also allows a deer farmer to better ascertain the health and vitality of a herd, it can also allow them to retain their license and operate compliantly with their state’s governing bodies. In Louisiana (and other states) annual summer audits are conducted to essentially ensure deer herds are healthy, well-cared for and that they stay that way, Havard, 37, explained.

Preparation for the auditing process begins in May in Louisiana when the LDAF sends paperwork to existing deer farmers asking for updates or changes from the previous year, followed by a visit in June from state officials. Each inspection consists of verifying farm inventory and transfers, ensuring there is no over-population of animals as well as a fence inspection to confirm the safe containment of herds. “They want to make sure there are no washouts or places where a deer could escape,” Havard said. With the goal of all licensees maintaining compliance, should the LDAF find a deer farmer to be non-compliant in any audited areas,

the LDAF Commissioner has authority to revoke or suspend any license and/ or impose a fine of any licensee that is found guilty of violating Title 3 Revised Statutes.

While there are deer management software programs available for record keeping, deer farmers may opt to use an Excel spreadsheet for tracking (for example) the type and amount of medication used to safely knock a deer down or the number of times a fawn takes the bottle, urinates or defecates. Other programs such as Quickbooks can be used for tracking feed and medication expenses.

While parasite control is not usually a consideration when being audited, it may be another important issue to keep track of. In addition, breeding decisions and practices (such as match or line breeding) and genetics utilized also require meticulous oversight. “An extremely crucial thing is expense tracking with things such as medications and feed,” Havard said. “It’s important to track profits and losses. Another essential area is keeping track of which doe had fawns that survived or which does are more successful at producing healthy fawns. Without accurate records, it could get very hard to stay on top of this and every other aspect of running a successful deer farm. You can’t afford to overlook a single detail.”

SUDOKU

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.

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.

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!

Thank you for submitting such a beautiful picture!

Last

Puzzles

Buckaneer Package:*

44

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ADVERTISERS INDEX -

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Feeding P rog ram .

The Rack Plus program incorporates the latest technical advances in cervid nutrition with AD M’s time and field-proven formulation and feed technology techniques to deliver the right balance of protein, energy, vit amins, and minerals that enable deer and elk to reach their full genetic potential.

Deer & Elk 18 - 4 (816 86A A A) and Deer & Elk 18 - 5 Breeder (816 92A A A)

• Complete, pelleted feeds formulated specifically for deer and elk

• Provide multiple protein sources, stabilized rice bran, highly digestible energy and fiber sources, CitriStim®, and direct fed microbial

• Both products provide 18% protein and no more than 14% fiber; 18-4 provides 4% fat and 18-5 provides 5% fat

• 18-5 Breeder: Formulated specifically for the breeding herd; also provides natural-source vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, selenium yeast, and Antler D™*

CitiStim®, an ADM proprietary feed ingredient, is a proven, truly unique, whole-cell, inactivated yeast product that may help the animal strengthen its defense against health challenges by supporting and optimizing gut function, gut integrity, and body defense responses.

*Antler D is a trademark of Head Gear LLC.

Proven Performance for Bigger Bucks

and Antlers

For more info, contact Troy Bjorge at 320-412-9957

AN_DeerHelp@adm.com www.ADMAnimalNutrition.com/wildlife

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