ACA Questions and Answers

kurthumphrey said:

The ACA have invited NADEFA on board to be part of what makes up a very powerful tool for the industry. NADEFA is a political platform for all deer breeders.Wouldn't it make sense to have another organization that kicks the government enitys in the shinns instead of NADEFA? NADEFA is there to lobby and present us as an organization. Those of you that think that there is too much attention being paid to whats going on in Iowa are definately wrong. Iowa will set the stage for what our future will hold. When have we challenged the USDA in a lawsuit? If you are a deer breeder or preserve owner you better start praying that Iowa goes well!!



I am very impressed with what the ACA have going on!

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Wouldn't it make sense to have another organization that kicks the government enitys in the shinns instead of NADEFA?



This kind of goes back to the Charly on one board and Shawn on the other.

Both heading in two directions for the same cause. I believe the folks in Iowa need help to a point. If you did not hear the speach that was put on at NADEFA she said herself it was to late for them but to use their case for the good of the industry. Well if anyone thinks Iowa is the only state with a problem you better think again. We have had permits in as late as last October with no answers. No email replies from the state on the status of any permits and the list goes on. Dont think for a second that Iowa is the only state that has lawyers involved in the fight.



I just spoke with a friend from Pa that was heading out with a load of deer. Now the state with CWD can move deer out of state but some cant even move deer inside their own state!



Iowa is important but not the only state with issues at hand!



So let me get this right. ACU is made up of who? Who sits at this table?

Mike,

Thanks for the comment. Its the ACA (American Cervid Alliance) and I would refer you to the other thread titled "ACA Q&A" to answer these questions. It can also be found on www.americancervidalliance.org news page.



Each participating association appoints their one official voting representative knows as their councilman. We will have the list of councilman appointed by their association's to send out the first week of April. It is up for that association to appoint their representative to speak behalf of their board which should speak for their respective membership. The ACA has no oversight in that process it is up to the local association. The final list will be posted on the ACA website.



Gracias,



Travis

Four Seasons Whitetails said:

Wouldn't it make sense to have another organization that kicks the government enitys in the shinns instead of NADEFA?



This kind of goes back to the Charly on one board and Shawn on the other.

Both heading in two directions for the same cause. I believe the folks in Iowa need help to a point. If you did not hear the speach that was put on at NADEFA she said herself it was to late for them but to use their case for the good of the industry. Well if anyone thinks Iowa is the only state with a problem you better think again. We have had permits in as late as last October with no answers. No email replies from the state on the status of any permits and the list goes on. Dont think for a second that Iowa is the only state that has lawyers involved in the fight.



I just spoke with a friend from Pa that was heading out with a load of deer. Now the state with CWD can move deer out of state but some cant even move deer inside their own state!



Iowa is important but not the only state with issues at hand!



So let me get this right. ACU is made up of who? Who sits at this table?

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Mike, I believe the issue with the Brakkes is there is no compesation for the animals once they are killed. This is going on everywhere they want to kill these animals for free because the states are broke. Now this is one battle that everybody should hope they win. They have 400 animals on there farm. Just like the Brakkes if they come to my farm and want to shoot every animal here they will have a fight on there hands. And if comes down to this with Tom and Rhonda there should be 1000's of deer farmers at there gates waiting for them to show up. I think this is the issue they are fighting and I think every deer farmer out there should support it.

Clearview Whitetails said:

Mike, I believe the issue with the Brakkes is there is no compesation for the animals once they are killed. This is going on everywhere they want to kill these animals for free because the states are broke. Now this is one battle that everybody should hope they win. They have 400 animals on there farm. Just like the Brakkes if they come to my farm and want to shoot every animal here they will have a fight on there hands. And if comes down to this with Tom and Rhonda there should be 1000's of deer farmers at there gates waiting for them to show up. I think this is the issue they are fighting and I think every deer farmer out there should support it.

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I agree that we should show up in droves and I also think if they want to kill our animals .........well lets call the Local Papers,TV Crews, Animal Rights Groups and Put these folks on display for EVERYONE to see!



I'll bet they just might have a major problem then ?

Clearview Whitetails said:

Mike, I believe the issue with the Brakkes is there is no compesation for the animals once they are killed. This is going on everywhere they want to kill these animals for free because the states are broke. Now this is one battle that everybody should hope they win. They have 400 animals on there farm. Just like the Brakkes if they come to my farm and want to shoot every animal here they will have a fight on there hands. And if comes down to this with Tom and Rhonda there should be 1000's of deer farmers at there gates waiting for them to show up. I think this is the issue they are fighting and I think every deer farmer out there should support it.

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I agree 100%...What i dont agree with is going in one direction. While all the support is heading one way there is some crazy stuff going on in the other.

Just waiting for the buzzsaw here in Ny but i guess we will tackle that on our own front!

Sounds like a hell of a plan, please let me know when and where, so I can be at the Brakkes gate with the rest of you. I'd feel the same way if they thought they would just show up at my farm attempting to kill MY animals while THERE CWD infected animals are herded into the wild with helicopters by them with no consequence. This gov't headed communistic BS needs too stop. They may be able to throw around a couple people standing at the gate but if several hundred or thousand show up, they may rethink. I really think the elk deal in the Black Hills of SD with the out of control elk numbers in the so called endemic area is the best thing that could happen.

Autry said:

Travis,





The issue that concerns me the most, about the ACA, is that you have people that you claim are part of your ACA team that have worked to undermine the industry for their own personal agenda. They are not putting the industry needs first but instead are self serving and mainly interested in promoting themselves on a power trip to the top.

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Mr. Autry,

I've yet to meet an ACA member that was self-serving at any level. I do not recall your name at time of rollcall on any of the ACA meetings. I hope that you will be present in the next two weeks when we meet.



For the record, the State of Iowa not only wants us to destroy our animals without compensation, they want to bill us for all the testing and clean-up AND quarantine our ground for 5 years.



It is our hope that no other producer or preserve owner will EVER have to endure our losses, financially and emotionally.



The ACA have been very active in protecting the rights of our industry. There isn't much they can do in terms of what Iowa decides, but they are working to see that no other state handles CWD the way they have here in Iowa. And they have raised money for our legal cause, as they understand we had no other way out of this mess.



Someone, please explain to me why the wildlife agencies are allowed to have any input in our industry regulations while they are no longer required to test for CWD, moving animals at their free will?



Since the CWD Rule and Regs were so good to us, we are going to ask for seconds in the new Standards? Again, please explain?



Yes, our industry is about our animals, but lets not forget this is our business and our livelihoods. These issues need to be addressed, it shouldn't matter who gets the job done, lets just get to work and get it done.



A wise man once told me: Evil will thrive, only if the good people do nothing.



Rhonda Brakke

Rhonda Brakke said:

Mr. Autry,

I've yet to meet an ACA member that was self-serving at any level. I do not recall your name at time of rollcall on any of the ACA meetings. I hope that you will be present in the next two weeks when we meet.



For the record, the State of Iowa not only wants us to destroy our animals without compensation, they want to bill us for all the testing and clean-up AND quarantine our ground for 5 years.



It is our hope that no other producer or preserve owner will EVER have to endure our losses, financially and emotionally.



The ACA have been very active in protecting the rights of our industry. There isn't much they can do in terms of what Iowa decides, but they are working to see that no other state handles CWD the way they have here in Iowa. And they have raised money for our legal cause, as they understand we had no other way out of this mess.



Someone, please explain to me why the wildlife agencies are allowed to have any input in our industry regulations while they are no longer required to test for CWD, moving animals at their free will?



Since the CWD Rule and Regs were so good to us, we are going to ask for seconds in the new Standards? Again, please explain?



Yes, our industry is about our animals, but lets not forget this is our business and our livelihoods. These issues need to be addressed, it shouldn't matter who gets the job done, lets just get to work and get it done.



A wise man once told me: Evil will thrive, only if the good people do nothing.



Rhonda Brakke

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Well said Rhonda. I for one was compelled by your story at Nadefa, and realized that this can happen to any one of us. I salute your courage to stand up and bring a lawsuit against these people. It will likely be the only way we fully get their attention, and make them realize that we are not going to take this lying down.



In my opinion, your lawsuit, and the success of it, are of utmost importance for our industry to take a stand and let them know that we will not just roll over.



If I can be of assistance in anyway, please let me know.



Best,



Michael Heiter

Travis said:

Mike,

Thanks for the comment. Its the ACA (American Cervid Alliance) and I would refer you to the other thread titled "ACA Q&A" to answer these questions. It can also be found on www.americancervidalliance.org news page.



Each participating association appoints their one official voting representative knows as their councilman. We will have the list of councilman appointed by their association's to send out the first week of April. It is up for that association to appoint their representative to speak behalf of their board which should speak for their respective membership. The ACA has no oversight in that process it is up to the local association. The final list will be posted on the ACA website.



Gracias,



Travis

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Thanks. I can see who is doing the posting but the website does not give names. Got It!!

Thanks, Rhonda Brakke!!

I am glad you posted and explained that the ACA is FOR REAL........I am excited to see this group doing what they are doing...I can only hope the rest of the gang can see they are WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE!! Enough already.....let's let those who want to HELP .....HELP! like I said, if you are in different and you are uncertain........make a phone call......everyone.....this IS a step in OUR right direction.........don't fight it...Support it!!

Thank you all for your support! You are right, This isn't just about Iowa. If we win here in Iowa through the lawsuit or administrative rule, other states will take note. It shouldn't matter if you have 10 deer or 400 deer, you should be compensated for the government mandated taking of your property and we shouldn't have to hire an attorney to do it.



If the government doesn't require testing on 98-99% of the US Cervid population, why are they forcing our 1-2% to be tested and regulated so harshly? Don't tell me movement, as the wildlife agencies have continued their movement and repopulation for the past ten years while our industry has done their due diligence in complying with all the regulations.



Iowa has lost four producers to our finding, one hunting preserve and the DNR is working to close the second preserve. Three of us producers and our hunting preserve destroyed animals and were required to pay for all expenses. Force you to kill your own animals and charge you to do it! It's high time we all say enough.



We requested rectal punch and genotype on our 14 does. The tests were done, but we can't get the results!!! While I have been supportive for research, you all need to be aware that Iowa officials want the live test and want to require every deer farmer in Iowa to test all their animals. Well that's fine, but what are they going to do if they find a positive? Pretty sure test and cull isn't what they have in mind.



There are several things that need to be discussed, not just compensation and fair treatment, real issues that will be faced by our industry. If you want to be in the know, join the conference call with the ACA.



Again, thank you, We would be honored to have you all at our gates.



Rhonda

Well said Rhonda. The reason Iowa is so important: 1. Iowa has always been one the leading agriculture states in the country. 2. The public in Iowa has always supported agriculture. 3. Iowa has a Republican legislature.[pro-buisness and pro-agriculture] 4. Iowa has a Republican Governor.



If we can't keep our agricultural and constitutional rights in Iowa, where can we? A win in Iowa will set a pressitant legally, and other states will run scared!!!

THE "ACA". These 3 letters are being thrown around like they will save the world. Keep in mind if someone from a current deer association was on one of the phone call, the credit for the work they are doing for the industry is being given to the ACA. I don't understand that. I was told that the Excecutive Directer of the EWA, (Charly Seale) was in Washington DC talking to the USDA. This is where I get confused. Who is Charly representing? The EWA, the North Amreican Elk Breeders, the ACA, NADeFA, The Texas Deer Association, and so on. Peoples identities get all mixed up. The EWA and NADeFA have a vote at the United States Animal Health Association Meetings. It has taken many years to make the connections and relationships these 2 association have at the national level.



This public relation campaign was brought up again. This Idea came together at the 2012 NADeFA convention. The ACA had nothing to do with this project. Now it is the ACA's money. How did that happen.



I have asked the question is the ACA simply an extention of the North American Elk Breeder Association. I received no answer. Is the money collected been put in the bank in NAEBA's Account. Why is it the people doing all the talking for the ACA are all asssociated firstly with NAEBA.



David Autry. Isn't it true many of the people currently involved with the ACA were part of the Non-Tradirtional farmer association? Where did the money's from that defunked association go. maybe it isn't defunked??



I have asked this question also. Why another association. Something else to donate to. An Alliance by definition; is like minded people or associations coming together for a common goal. I an familer with many alliances and they are not stand alone association. The are like mined folks coming together.



The folks that have thought up the ACA say they are not a competing association and yet they are working very hard to get money from the members of every deer association. We (the Deer Indusrty) are not the federal government. We can print new money when we run out. There is only so much money in the industry, you The ACA are competing with all the curreent association.



When I was president of NADeFA we implemented a president's council with the purpose of giving guidence and counciling to Me as the president and the NADeFA board. I could not get participation form the linked association NADeFA has then. Why is this going to change now.



We are almost as bad as the federal and state governments and their use of CWD to forward their agendas. Isn't that what the ACA is doing. I the name of CWD lets start a new association. Lets not. Lets work together. Whenever money is involved things get ugly. Very Ugly.



Let us have an "ALLIANCE" but there is no need for another association. we have enough associations. THe same handful of people will do all the work anyway, why add now crap to the pile. There is no need for another formal association.



If the deer industry wants to partner with someone, then we need the other livestock and agriculturial entities tto understand the regulations we are forced with today. Strength in numbers, other livestock associations have numbers.



The ACA is not a new idea. deer people have been working together for the good of the industry for as long as I have been apart of the industry.



Do i have all the answers? NO. I do know that another association is not the answer.



These are my thoughts.



To Travis, If you didn't want issues aired on this public forum, then why did you pick this media to spread your ideas.

G O Whitetails said:

Well said Rhonda. The reason Iowa is so important: 1. Iowa has always been one the leading agriculture states in the country. 2. The public in Iowa has always supported agriculture. 3. Iowa has a Republican legislature.[pro-buisness and pro-agriculture] 4. Iowa has a Republican Governor.



If we can't keep our agricultural and constitutional rights in Iowa, where can we? A win in Iowa will set a pressitant legally, and other states will run scared!!!

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And a loss will do what for other states and deer farming? Hope Texas is big as they say if that ends up being the case!!!!



Fred...See post #4

Very good point Bruce.....that information would be very helpful........

Mike, The Brakke's DID file a lawsuit against the state of Iowa. They had planned to go it alone. I for one think we should support them in this effort. I know I have, and will. As I stated before, we can't afford to lose this one.

G O Whitetails said:

Mike, The Brakke's DID file a lawsuit against the state of Iowa. They had planned to go it alone. I for one think we should support them in this effort. I know I have, and will. As I stated before, we can't afford to lose this one.

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Oh i do not dispute that. We can only do so much as it is now in the lawyers hands but we could be talkin years here and if we dont address some other problems in the time frame it takes for this case to go through we could be missing the boat. States like ours need to be all over the Dept of Ag and DEC for stopping trade in Ny. Which i believe you will see but to put all the effort to 1 case in 1 state. Not 100% productive!

Fred, you state that the ACA is being thrown around like it can save the world. It would not save the world but the alliance could be strong enough to work on many of industry's problems if folks would just see it for what it is and work together. This Alliance is not attempting to reduce the influence or take the place of any association and I do not know how many different ways that has to be stated. It is not a threat to the EWA, NAEBA, or NADeFA. We all have our membership base as well as cross over members. One thing the three national associations have in common is a disease that will end this industry if we don't have rules in place to allow commerce to continue when it is found in the next pen. The current rules and standards quite frankly do not address that. Shawn, Eric Mohlman, and I have been working for the past 90 days to help solve the issue and quite frankly have seen the writing on the wall. We, as an industry, have to address these issues at some point. You get hit with EHD you still are in business. You find CWD and you are done forever with no indemnification. If that is acceptable to the majority of deer farmers then let's live with the regulations as they are written. I don't think this is what the majority wants and the ACA has given all a mechanism to collectively decide what direction we should go.



You ask who I represented when I went to DC last week. Well Freddie, I represented the EWA. We represent all the susceptible species and frankly our members are not happy with the regulations. I simply brought information back from DC and shared that with those association leaders in the proper venue at NADeFA. There was no hidden agenda behind that and Shawn and I after that meeting came to a collect agreement as to how to handle the revised standards from industries standpoint. Diverse opinions are what gets things accomplished but at the end of the day we should be united.



As far as the PR campaign and the old coalition, Fred you were given the financials. The Deer Breeders Gazette will be publishing theses as well as the ACA financials in the April addition so there has been nothing hidden. The one thing you will see is total transparency

Sarg6207 said:

Fred, you state that the ACA is being thrown around like it can save the world. It would not save the world but the alliance could be strong enough to work on many of industry's problems if folks would just see it for what it is and work together. This Alliance is not attempting to reduce the influence or take the place of any association and I do not know how many different ways that has to be stated. It is not a threat to the EWA, NAEBA, or NADeFA. We all have our membership base as well as cross over members. One thing the three national associations have in common is a disease that will end this industry if we don't have rules in place to allow commerce to continue when it is found in the next pen. The current rules and standards quite frankly do not address that. Shawn, Eric Mohlman, and I have been working for the past 90 days to help solve the issue and quite frankly have seen the writing on the wall. We, as an industry, have to address these issues at some point. You get hit with EHD you still are in business. You find CWD and you are done forever with no indemnification. If that is acceptable to the majority of deer farmers then let's live with the regulations as they are written. I don't think this is what the majority wants and the ACA has given all a mechanism to collectively decide what direction we should go.



You ask who I represented when I went to DC last week. Well Freddie, I represented the EWA. We represent all the susceptible species and frankly our members are not happy with the regulations. I simply brought information back from DC and shared that with those association leaders in the proper venue at NADeFA. There was no hidden agenda behind that and Shawn and I after that meeting came to a collect agreement as to how to handle the revised standards from industries standpoint. Diverse opinions are what gets things accomplished but at the end of the day we should be united.



As far as the PR campaign and the old coalition, Fred you were given the financials. The Deer Breeders Gazette will be publishing theses as well as the ACA financials in the April addition so there has been nothing hidden. The one thing you will see is total transparency

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(It would not save the world but the alliance could be strong enough to work on many of industry's problems if folks would just see it for what it is and work together.)



Is this not the reason NADEFA was formed? I believe if all the effort put forth now was used in the right direction to begin with there would be no ACU! I and i know of many feel the same way. Fred is 100% right.

Iadeer or Mr. Fred Huebner,



Thank you for your post. Please allow me to use this opportunity to correct several false statements you have stated.



First, I believe Charly Seale was in Washington last week for their Exotic Wildlife Association(EWA) annual trip to DC. We all know he is Executive Director of the EWA which does represent cervid exotics. I too share your enthusiasm of how involved Charly is with the industry and thank him for his work. I also have the pleasure to currently serve as an officer with him on the NAEBA board and he is truly an asset, as the other directors would agree. On his trip last week he collected information he knew needed to be shared as a group to the ACA leaders. Thank you Charly for your hard work.



You are incorrect with the PR Campaign having anything to do with ACA money. Not one penny of the PR Campaign funds reside within the ACA. I believe you already know this because Charly Seale sent you the PR Campaign financials and balance sheet last week. The PR Campaign is designed for education of legislators and the public. It created the site known as www.conservationhunting.com, which I think people agree is a nice site. Thank you to everyone that helped create that for the industry. The PR Campaign is now working on CWD brochures with concise talking points to dispel myths we can hand to legislators. I apologize you were confused. I think most would agree the industry has been improved with the materials the PR Campaign created, or at least the legislators in Kansas liked it.



I would love to answer your question about NAEBA… The ACA is absolutely not an extension of NAEBA. I’m not sure why you may think that. If anyone thought that was the case, why would 30 associations individually verbally commit in front of everyone to participate with the ACA during the February meeting, including other national associations such as EWA and NADeFA? I know the folks that were actually on the call know better. The money has not been put in NAEBA’s bank account but I believe the bank account does reside in the same Nebraska town as NAEBA’s. But it is all separate. I agree with you, there are lots of ACA supporters associated with NAEBA. I guess that means there are some NAEBA members that know what’s at stake for our industry and thirst to work together as a team. I know the same can be said about the many other industry driven supporters that have nothing to do with elk.



As far as industry money, you would be pleased to learn that a fundraiser to benefit the ACA has been created that raffles off a hunt and a Ruger AR15. The drawing will be at the NAEBA Convention in August and is designed to seek dollars outside the industry. NAEBA is soon distributing printed off raffle tickets to give people four months to sell tickets to people that do not attend the convention. This would be outside dollars not from the industry yet it is not being “printed.” By examining the ACA by-laws, you will see there are no dues required by associations to “take” their money. Associations can donate and many have. That is their decision.



I want to thank you for your leadership as a past president of NADeFA and the formation of the president’s council. It is unfortunate that there wasn’t participation then but by asking folks that have been on the ACA calls I assure there is participation now. Your NADeFA successor, Ray Burdett, is still very involved with the ACA as well as Shawn Shafer and both have been on every meeting. Thank you Ray and Shawn for your support of the ACA.



The alliance is a council. It’s an NPO and if you look at the bylaws it’s a council of participating association representatives. It doesn’t have a banquet, newsletter, membership services or an executive director. It is simply an organized forum in which every association can be heard. We want everyone to have an equal voice, large or small, 1000 members or 100 members. I assure you the ACA is no more “a new association” than the United Nations is a new country….



The ACA is big about communication. If there was no need for the ACA there wouldn’t be this much discussion on forums such as this.



Just to be clear about the makeup of industry associations……. And maybe clear up something else you may confused about….



We have state associations that represent deer and/or elk for state residents. For example, the Minnesota Deer Breeders Association and Minnesota Elk Breeders Association. A Minnesota resident that breeders either elk or deer can join their state association that represents their respective species. Those associations have banquets, newsletters, directors and any local breeder should be able to be a voting member.



We have national associations that represent deer and/or elk for any breeder in the nation. For example, the North American Deer Farmers Association and North American Elk Breeders Association. A resident of any state that breeders either elk or deer can join one of these associations that represents their respective species. Those associations are larger scale and have banquets, newsletters, directors and any breeder should be able to be a voting member.



We have the ACA, a leadership council of equal representatives from those state and national associations. Those associations each appoint their own representative to meet and work with their counterparts. Individual breeders cant “join” the ACA by sending in dues. It is only a council of the councilman from the state and national associations. The ACA did add a provision in the by-laws to ensure any breeder can submit suggestions to the council or consideration.



So to drive this example home and to use analogies because I love analogies… a state association is like the state of Texas (state). The national association is like the United States (nation like national association) and the ACA is like the United Nations.. The UN wasn’t created to “replace” France and the people of France cant become citizens (members) of the UN. The UN can however provide an organized forum of decision making between national leaders such as France, UK, Spain, Canada and so forth… The UN can also mobilize troops in the name of the UN, instead of one nation doing it alone. And we have seen this since WWII.



I hope I answered your and anyone else’s questions that the ACA is not a new competing association unless you believe the United Nations is a new nation..



I think others on this forum would agree the energy spent drafting these posts and responses could be much better spent on strategy to overcome CWD regulatory attacks.







Thanks,

Travis