Since finding CWD in our closed herd for 10 years and CWD monitored ten years, we have destroyed 225 animals at our hunting preserve and found two positives. The Iowa Ag Department has quarantined our hunting preserve land and our breed herd and land for five years. We currently spend $3,000 per week to feed them. Because we had a closed herd and all our animals were raised, we cannot write off the loss, as the animals were not purchased. We currently have 2.5 million invested in this industry.
The only offer made by our state is for us to kill our own animals, test them for CWD, dispose of them according to their test outcome, provide reefer trucks, ALL at our expense AND leave our ground quarantined for five years. Lets not forget removing 2 inches of top soil. NO RESEARCH ALLOWED by our state officials.
I went to the USAHA meeting in Greensboro to see if I could reach the right people in regards to our personal situation. After sharing my story with a group of wildlife agencies, state vets, and USDA officials, I was approached by USDA and was told they (USDA) didn't understand why Iowa would not allow us to move our animals from our breeding facility to our hunting preserve, both places were "contaminated" and it would get the animals off the landscape as well as provide indemnity for our herd.
I was also invited to speak in front of National Assembly of Veterinarians, approximately 150 people. When I finished sharing my story, the Iowa state vet was questioned why we were not allowed to move the animals and why we weren't utilizing the live rectal test, if 70 percent accurate that is just as accurate as universally accepted TB Test.
Prior to the USAHA meeting Charly Seale had contacted Minnesota State Vet and shared concerns that the industry has with the new Standards that were going to be passed. If I had not been there I would not have believed it myself, had it not been for Dr Anderson and Charly Seale, the Standards would have been shoved down our throats. NADeFA missed the boat when they refused to accept Charly as a board member. It shouldn't matter that he is working for the other industry, we all need to be united and working toward the same goal.
Iowa DNR Director shared some information with state legislators and representatives, and the media placed articles all over the state of Iowa that Wisconsin Deer Herd had declined by 40% due to CWD.
Our meetings with legislators and representatives are making a difference. But we forewarned, we were approached by a senator who questioned that since CWD can be transmitted through saliva, urine and feces, then did you get infected through your artificial insemination practices?
I personally accept responsibility for not being more proactive or even active in the industry until our finding of CWD, HOWEVER, I believed that the issues were being handled by those in charge of the largest association for cervids.
The single best thing I have done was attended the USAHA Conference in Greensboro. I was in the meetings and again, if it had not been for Charly and Dr. Anderson, we would all be following the radical new standards put forth by the USDA. There would be no CWD Standards Working Group. And, who knows our fate may still be that we will have to live with them.
If we do not stand united and support the ACA which is a culmination of NADeFA, NAEBA, and EWA then what? I would hope to see a number of people traveling to Washington in April. Make the impact we need in this industry. As you, too, may find yourself in our situation.
I ask you, What are you willing to accept if you are the next positive herd? What is acceptable to ensure that our industry remains viable??? That I believe is how this industry needs to move forward.
If there is anyone who has questions in regard to any details or information in this post, please call me at 641-425-0611.
Rhonda Brakke
