Bruc and Turb testing and certification

What is the process for Brucelosis and Tuberculosis testing? I have heard that it requires each and every deer to be put down twice in a short period of time. Has anyone done this recently?

TB requires a shot which will have to be read in 72 hours. Tuberculosis has to have blood drawn and sent away for testing. If you have no chute the animal will have to be put down twice. This is very hard on the deer and should be done when it is cooler. Yes all deer will have to be tested if they are old enough.

Then if you get a fake positive or suspicious test you have to put that deer down again!

Just want to add that all deer over 12 months of age must be tested. Fawns do not need to be tested. TB and Brucellosis testing is required by USDA for interstate movement to take place. We have been thru 4 or 5 whole herd tests and we hate them. No sleep for several days worrying about things each time. Now, in Ohio we had a cow positive for TB and it's starting to show up elsewhere around the country. I hate to say it but the need to test is legit. It's the only way to protect our industry.

Note to anyone reading this thread. A post made earlier in this thread has been deleted and it was that post that I was referring to when I made my original posting below. I figured I should clear this up so people understand why I said what I am saying below. Without the deleted post this discussion seems out of place.



This guy told you that the big guys want the testing. That is a load of crap and anyone who buys into it, well...



I dare say there is NOT a single deer farmer who WANTS to have all the rules imposed on us that we have now. I doubt any farmer big or small wants to have to TB test, Bruc test, or CWD test or any other testing.

But what happens is the various state governments puts rules in place governing the breeding and storing of these animals. They put down rules governing the movement of these animals both interstate and intrastate.

When as an example the government of the state of WI says they will only take deer that have come from a TB Accr herd that means for anyone in another state to move deer to WI they have to meet those requirements. Now you don't have to meet those requirements but if you don't you can't move your deer to WI. So if the state of PA in this example doesn't have and established TB testing protocol yes the farmers of PA will have to insure one is in place so they can ship to WI if they choose.

Same goes for Bruc and CWD.

In fact the state of WI due to the cost of maintaining a CWD program would now like to do away with the CWD program or at the very least tailor it way back. But if they are allowed to do this the farmers in the state will not meet the requirements that other states have imposed for entry into their state. Then if a farmer wants to sell his shooters or breeding stock to someone out of WI he won't be able to. That would essentially kill the deer industry in the state which is actually what the government wants to begin with. So yes, now we as deer farms in the state of WI have to lobby to keep the CWD program in place and at a level that will meet other state entry requirements.

BUT, that is not to say that us deer growers in the state WANT the rules, we just have to MEET the rules other states want for entry.

Eventually other states will also see the CWD hoax led to their having to spend money that didn't need to be spent in the first place and they too will want to drop their programs. But once the ball is rolling it is hard to stop. All states would have to collectively agree the hoax is over and cease all CWD testing and requirements at the same time. But as long as one state requires the testing the farmers in other states have to maintain a program to meet those rules.

Bruc testing is a perfect example of this.

The state of WI doesn't require ANY Bruc testing of us farms in state. But we farmers impose this testing on our self because without doing the testing we limit our ability to entry into other states that require Bruc testing. It isn't the farmers that WANT the testing, it is any states we may want to move animals to that causes us to NEED the testing programs in place.



Testing is one of those things we have to do to be in business. You either want to be in business or you don't. It is that simple.

Robert, I hope what he told you ($250.)is wrong. Here is What the Padefa website states, We were all sent a copy in the mail also.

And even though Fallow deer don't have to be on the Cwd Program, They still need it to be sold to others states...I voluntarily put mine on.



http://www.padfa.com/LEGISLATION.htm

Legislative Alert

by Andy Goodman

MBA



March, 2010







The Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association is facing a tremendous legislative fight and your help is needed immediately.

Please contribute today to Pennsylvania Deer Farmers PAC. Our PAC will help ensure our voice is listened to in the Capital.

Pennsylvania Deer Farmers are advocating for a $75 fee on your Certified Licensed Operator license. A fee is necessary because the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s budget has been reduced tremendously. The position, within the Department of Ag, that oversees the CWD/herd certification process was in doubt in June 2009 because of budget cuts. This year’s budget is going to be even more difficult.

If CWD/Herd Certification position is cut, your business cannot get permitting – which means you run the risk of losing your business!An annual fee of $75 per license is necessary. The PDFA is working to ensure that every dollar of the fee is put toward the CWD/ herd certification position and hiring another individual, within the Department of Agriculture, in the same section.

Legislation must be passed and signed by the Governor put every dollar of a licensing fee toward the CWD/Herd Certification position

Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation that does not have a fee on their deer farming licenses.

Your help today is critical.



• Please write a $100, $200 or whatever your budget allows personal check, payable to PDFA PAC and send it to Milliron Associates.



• Please tell your colleagues why the fee is important.



• Call or write to your Representative in the House and your Senator (Pennsylvania House & Senate – Not Congress) and ask them to support licensing fees on Deer Farmers and identify yourself as a constituent and deer farmer.



• Identify your self and inform your legislators that Deer Farming is represented in Harrisburg by Milliron and Associates.





Send your personal check, payable to PDFA PAC to:



Milliron Associates

200 N 3rd St

Suite 1500

Harrisburg, PA 17101





THIS IS FROM PADEFA NEWSLETTER

http://www.padfa.com/PDFA_Summer10.pdf

THE HARRISBURG PERSPECTIVE

Milliron Associates

John Milliron, Ken Brandt and Andrew Goodman

NEWS ON HB2273 AND CALL TO ACTION

BY ANDY GOODMAN, MBA



House Bill 2273, which we are in

favor of, is currently in the Senate

Agriculture Committee. The legislation

puts a fee on your Operators

license. The fee would be $150 every

two years beginning at your next

renewal date. A fee is needed because

the PDFA must ensure the financial

sustainability of the Department of

Agriculture’s CWD/Herd Management

program. Over the past few years the

Department’s program has been in

financial doubt. If the CWD/Herd

Management program were to be cut,

our deer farms could not obtain permitting

or licensure. The PDFA decided to

act. In April, Representative Gary

Haluska (D-Cambria) introduced legislation

on the Association’s behalf.

Gary has been a long time friend and

advocate of our profession. His leadership

on this issue has been spectacular.

Our legislation was voted out of the

House 189-1 on May 24th. Having that

much support in the House is due to

your involvement in the political

process. Keeping your voice in the

ballgame is three quarters of the battle!

I need your voice more than ever

before.

I expect the bill to move from the

Senate Agriculture committee soon.

However, I would like to have more

pressure from individual deer farmers

on their Pennsylvania state senator.

Please take the time in the next few

days to call your State Senator. Ask

them to support House Bill 2273 and

pass the legislation to the Governor

soon. Also, let them know about the

location of your deer farm. Having

your voice call your local elected

Senator is important to this fight.

Please call today.

Our office will continue to communicate

all the action surrounding the

legislation. Hopefully we will be able

to have the legislation on the

Governor’s desk by the time the budget

is passed. Normally, June 30th is the

deadline for the budget. However, as

you already know, passing a budget on

time has not been the trend through the

last few years. Please keep in touch and

call your State Senator today.

First of all, all that is needed to move a deer to another state is one, yes one Brucellosis test. You draw blood on the deer and have the results in few days. They do not require certification or a whole herd test. If a farm is brucellosis certified it is because they choose to be. We have never heard of brucellosis in whitetail deer.



TB is a little different because that has shown up in deer. If you are not certified, you will still need to TB test your deer if you are going to sell it out of state, and possibly in state depending on where you are. That will require handling the deer twice, once to give it the injection and three days later to read it - see if there is a reaction. So if you don't have a chute, you will need to dart them twice - which is costly and risky.



All states are experiencing budget crunchs and fees have gone up everywhere. It is common for a state agency to say they are cutting some vital program when faced with budget cuts. This gets the public aroused and politicians listen to the public. State agencies always go for some high profile program they are sure will get a reaction from the public. I work for a state agency and I've seen it over and over. Instead of cutting some behind the scenes, insignificant thing, they like to go for the most bang for the buck. That way enough people scream and they get their money. Interesting that they have folks in PA asking for a fee - I'm sure the agency will go to the legislature and ask for one.

IndependenceRanch said:

This guy told you that the big guys want the testing. That is a load of crap and anyone who buys into it, well...



I dare say there is NOT a single deer farmer who WANTS to have all the rules imposed on us that we have now. I doubt any farmer big or small wants to have to TB test, Bruc test, or CWD test or any other testing.

But what happens is the various state governments puts rules in place governing the breeding and storing of these animals. They put down rules governing the movement of these animals both interstate and intrastate.

When as an example the government of the state of WI says they will only take deer that have come from a TB Accr herd that means for anyone in another state to move deer to WI they have to meet those requirements. Now you don't have to meet those requirements but if you don't you can't move your deer to WI. So if the state of PA in this example doesn't have and established TB testing protocol yes the farmers of PA will have to insure one is in place so they can ship to WI if they choose.

Same goes for Bruc and CWD.

In fact the state of WI due to the cost of maintaining a CWD program would now like to do away with the CWD program or at the very least tailor it way back. But if they are allowed to do this the farmers in the state will not meet the requirements that other states have imposed for entry into their state. Then if a farmer wants to sell his shooters or breeding stock to someone out of WI he won't be able to. That would essentially kill the deer industry in the state which is actually what the government wants to begin with. So yes, now we as deer farms in the state of WI have to lobby to keep the CWD program in place and at a level that will meet other state entry requirements.

BUT, that is not to say that us deer growers in the state WANT the rules, we just have to MEET the rules other states want for entry.

Eventually other states will also see the CWD hoax led to their having to spend money that didn't need to be spent in the first place and they too will want to drop their programs. But once the ball is rolling it is hard to stop. All states would have to collectively agree the hoax is over and cease all CWD testing and requirements at the same time. But as long as one state requires the testing the farmers in other states have to maintain a program to meet those rules.

Bruc testing is a perfect example of this.

The state of WI doesn't require ANY Bruc testing of us farms in state. But we farmers impose this testing on our self because without doing the testing we limit our ability to entry into other states that require Bruc testing. It isn't the farmers that WANT the testing, it is any states we may want to move animals to that causes us to NEED the testing programs in place.



Testing is one of those things we have to do to be in business. You either want to be in business or you don't. It is that simple.

Click to expand...

You have summed it all up perfectly.

Thanks Tundra Ridge. Glad someone got my point. I was concerned maybe I would not have made myself clear enough



As to the Bruc testing in most states requiring only a single test yes this is true. The catch comes when selling to someone who is already Bruc Cert. The single test will allow them to take your deer even though the shipping herd is not Bruc Cert. However the deer needs to be quarantined and then retested in 90 days or the receiving herd would lose their Bruc Certification. This can be a real hassle for the buyers and in some cases a risky deal for the animal depending on the time of the year. That is why we find it is easy for us and the buyers to just be Bruc Cert. Especially since Bruc testing is the easiest test to do since it is just one simple blood draw while handling the animal a single time which is being done anyway during the TB testing.

Yes there is an additional cost we have to absorb but I feel it gives our investors a better experience during and after their purchase from us.

Just to clarify, I wasn't saying we do not need it....WE DO!!!

Just that I hoped it was not $250 a year. One quoted $75/$150 every two years...We asked for it...I am glad it passed.

I voluntarily put my Fallow Deer through everything Also,so they can be sold out of state.Even though our state does not require it.

There has never been a responder to the brucellosis test in deer or elk in Montana. I would guess there are many more States who can claim the same with the deer or elk in their State. But like all good government programs we will continue to test because it's on the books. Seems funny the same is not applied to cattle. Montana cattle have responders and they are quickly slaughtered and forgotten about.



I know our industry needs to prove we have healthy animals to stay in business. Do we always have to go the extra mile and take the most expensive way to prove this industry is not a disease threat to wildlife? Is there never a point where we will be like cattle? I don't think so.



Why does this industry have to be certified in the first place? All the different disease status grades of this industry just slows the movement of deer and elk which is what the critics wanted in the first place.



Wildlife people have to admit the diseases we test for in deer and elk came from the cattle industry. Yet these cattle still are less tested than our animals and freely mingle with the wild deer and elk.



Just a thought not wanting to fight on this subject just want to give a view of a cheaper way to do business and still be disease tested so we are not a problem for wildlife.



I guess what I'm saying is all States and producers should try to settle on the cheapest method of disease testing which will allow a safety net for wildlife diseases so movement of our animals would have a more reasonable cost for disease testing.



I was on the Governor rule making committee for game farm disease protocol in 1990. I represented the industry and we wanted to ease the critics so sought very heavy disease testing requirements for our industry. I can tell you all now that it did no good for the industry image to the public or the DNR in Montana. The one thing we still have is heavy disease testing requirements for TB, Bangs and CWD and we pay for all testing. Now that we are under government requirements we have to pay a tax (fee) which started out at two bucks an animal. We now pay $32. bucks a year for each animal we have. Talk about a slippery slope. Well I vented enough thanks for reading.

I hear what you are saying Jack. We feel that way about the brucellosis testing - why are deer even in that category if there has never been a case in whitetail?? The only thing being certified does is add an additional cost to farmers - it doesn't protect anyone from anything. Not sure why it is required at all even to move state to state if whitetails don't get it.



What you say about cattle is true and we've been told it is because they have tested for years - well so have we. When is it enough? The same for CWD - we are 8 years certified - when is it enough???

Thank you for the responses. Is it possible to test only those deer that will be sold out of state? In other words, instead of testing my whole herd, would it be more prudent to test only those that will be sold out of state? That way, if an out of state game preserve or breeder is interested in any of my deer then I can contract with them and the contract would be contingent on the deer being negative for Brucellosis and Tuberculosis. That way, I would only expose my deer to the risk of sedation if and when I had a potential buyer. Can anyone tell me if there would be any drawbacks to this approach that would hamper out of state business?



Thanks again,

Daniel

Back in 2004 the state DNR found CWD in a wild deer here in WV. Since then the state imposed strict testing procedures and certification on the deer farmers here in WV. We were forced into testing our deer for TB and BRUC as well as enrolling into a CWD monitoring program. All deer deaths over 6 months of age (all other states require 1 yr of age) must be submitted for CWD testing.



Originally this was implemented to drive deer farming out of West Virginia. The state did succeed in putting several farms out of business. These farms refused to test their deer and were unable to move the deer, except to preserves. The good thing about all the testing is that the deer farms that complied have all become stronger.



The DNR has actually done us a favor and kept our farms ahead of most other states testing programs. We have grown in herd status and grown in deer farm numbers over the past 3 years.



I wouldn't say that the government forcing us to test our animals is a good thing. The cost of darting twice, the testing and the chance of losing animals is frustrating. BUT, it does have some beneficial affects in the long run. Now that we have complied and proven to be disease free, we can now ask for these regulations to be relaxed a bit. That's the only way for us to gain any ground in our industry.

Also, I know some of you suggested using a deer chute which led me to another question. How does a deer chute work? Actually, I know how it works but I don't know how you get your deer into the chute without them hurting themselves.

Hollow road, that question you asked on comment #13 has already been answered...refer back to Rogers reply on comment #9.



It seems to me that you are trying to sidestep the TB & BRUC testing. It will not work. You will only be hurting yourself in the long run. No one will want to purchase deer from someone that isn't compliant. They will be putting their own herd at risk. Most deer farmers have too much time, money and love into this business to take a chance like that.



I am just going to say it straight to you, without sugar coating anything. I mean no disrespect at all. But you will need to comply with the states regulations or you will go nowhere in this business. So, if you plan to attempt sidestepping any state regulations you are putting your business in jeopardy and perhaps wasting your time and money in deer farming.

the best thing for you to do is visit some area farms to see how a chute system works.

Dan you have mail.



Scott Neeb

Chanlow farms

You have mail.

Information recieved. Thank you kindly for taking the time to respond.