USAHA Conference Underway

From the American Cervid Alliance Newsroom


 


18pxUSAHA Conference Underway


KANSAS CITY- Leaders from the deer and elk industry are in Kansas City, Missouri to participate in the 118th annual United States Animal Health Association conference. There are dozens of meetings throughout the week where state animal health officials, state wildlife officials, USDA/APHIS and representatives from Allied Organizations meet to examine issues and procedures. Representatives from the American Cervid Alliance, North American Elk Breeders Association, Exotic Wildlife Association and North American Deer Farmers Association are in attendance at this year's conference. These state and national associations are among the Allied Organizations who have representatives on the USAHA board of directors.  


The next several days offer key discussions for the farmed cervid industry. Earlier this morning, district meetings were held with updates on recent Chronic Wasting Disease findings in Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin.  The new Farmed Cervid Subcommittee will meet Monday at 1pm central. The three co-chairmen, Charly Seale, Dr. Paul Anderson and Dr. Bret Marsh, have prepared a robust schedule. This committee is comprised of representatives from the cervid industry, wildlife officials and health officials.


 Cervid industry representatives, who are members of the following committees; Wildlife Diseases; Alternative Livestock;  Brucellosis, Tuberculous and Blue Tongue, will have a full week as recommendations and resolutions urging USDA to make regulation and policy changes, as they pertain to the various agriculture industries, are considered.


Chronic Wasting Disease policy still remains a highly discussed topic as well as relief in Brucelloisis testing. 


 


 


http://www.americancervidalliance.org/news.cfm?id=144

A lot of good things were covered there this weekend, Met some good folks and developed a foundation for some long term relationships. This type of conference is a must for anyone that is in the industry, We do need to get more producers on board and as I have stated education is the foundation for our industry to prosper and move forward in this for of agribusiness. I give a shout out to G O whitetails.

The meetings sound interesting. Is the USAHA conference a meeting that every deer farmer should try to make time to attend or is it something that should be reserved for professionals. It just doesn't seem like a venue that I would be qualified to be attending? I will schedule vacation time next year to be there if I as a simple farmer can make a difference by being there. If so, I am puzzled as to why industry leaders haven't been more diligent to get the word out that all deer farmers try to be in attendance.

Jon, Its a meeting that all producers really should take time to attend to better educate themselves and get first hand info as to all the programs that are directly involved with the industry and several that are related to the industry. Its very important we have a strong voice and be  heard .

Bell,


We strongly encourage every state association starting sending a representative. It is huge. The ACA met a couple weeks before and reviewed our issues and goals for the conference. We need more folks to attend this.  Each association should select a person that can attend each year and that wants to learn about these regulations and animal health policies. The American Cervid Alliance, North American Elk Breeders Association, Exotic Wildlife Association and North American Deer Farmers Association each have a seat on the USAHA Board of Directors.


 


A full report will be put on a new thread.


 


Jon Charles, we were glad you were able to come. Deer farmers always glad to meet researchers without bias. Thanks!

Thank you Travis, It was a great pleasure to attend and be part of this and look forward to being more involved in educating and working with more producers, land owners, sportsman and the general public . As I have said for a few years now that too much misinformation has been spread about the industry, CWD, and its through these forms of programs we can get people better science based facts to make informed decisions instead of relying on liberal newspaper articles and media misdirection and hype.  I would like to thank all of you I met there, exchange of information and your kindness and hospitality and good conversation was very much appreciated .

Every state should have representation to show that we as an industry are united and are in need of scientific-based policies and regulations to mitigate the spread of CWD. Afterall, with CWD in the wild, CWD cannot be eliminated. Wildlife should be encouraging hunters to provide samples of their harvested animals. They are missing a golden opportunity, at the time of harvest, to collect samples and help determine how much transmission we have in our wild populations.

I'm guessing they really don't want to know!

Wildlife in some states don't want to man up to it, Reason Revenue!! or loss of it. Poor management on their their behalf. Again perfect example a second release of elk from Wind Cave. If a producer or farmer did that they would be charged. Why is it double standards for them. Do as we say and not as we do.