ADVICE ON OPERATING A VIABLE HEALTHY AND PROSPERING DEER FARM By: Gail Veley • Sponsoed by The Missouri Deer Association
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n the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Missouri has felt blessed to be among those states that was not shut down, that remained viable for deer farmers. And while hunters may not be visiting preserves to the extent they did last year this time, “there is not a single stocker buck anywhere in the state that has not been sold,” said Missouri Deer Association President Matt Kirchner. “Everything was gone or spoken for by October and sold for premium prices.” Missouri deer farms, like all well run deer farms, are steadfast in their care and animal husbandry practices. Yet deer farmers in general would do well to know where they can cut costs, if necessary, and where they can’t in lieu of facing potentially harder financial or economic times such as those brought on by COVID-19. Julie and Byron Young of Antlers and Acorns Deer Farm in Chilhowee, Missouri, offer their advice: 1. Consider mixing alfalfa leaves or pellets with your grain to cut the cost of your feed bill by about 1/3. However, ask your local feed mill, once or twice a year, to run a nutrient scan on your feed to ensure you are still providing adequate protein, fat and carbohydrates. 2. Take your veterinarian out to dinner and ask them ways you may be able to cut costs, based on where your farm is located and the necessary care congruent with that area of the country. Examine your worming, vaccinating and feeding practices. 3. Have the best, most pro-active relationship with your herd, so you can catch and treat a sick deer immediately,
therefore cutting down on veterinary costs. 4. Separate bucks before the rut, ensuring there are no injuries, antler goring incidences or death, which could cost you dearly.
2. When providing manmade shelter, use only two-sided shelters, as deer like being able to see through and generally will not go into a three-sided shed or shelter.
3. Develop an intuitive eye for illness by spending enough time with your deer. If you know your deer, most of the 5. Consider “sitting” on your deer for time you can see if it’s not quite how it another year in an effort to get a fair price, rather than selling them for lower should be. amounts if the market is not favorable. With this in mind, curtail your breeding 4. Use common sense when working with delicate animals who experience practices so as to not overcrowd stress easily. your pens and cause the potential for unwanted bacteria, such as clostridium perfringens and piliforme to flourish.
5. Do not lower your feed bill in ways that are too drastic, such as feeding straight corn. Although you might save 6. Utilize the ability to breed using live money in the short run, your deer will cover, rather than A.I., for those deer farmers with quality breeder bucks. This not reach their full growth potential, causing financial loss when you sell can amount to a substantial savings. them. 7. Consider allowing deer to bed down naturally rather than using straw or shavings. Since deer tend to thrive in the cold, this option can be easy to implement.
Seasoned deer farmer Edwin Ropp of Ropp Whitetails in Jamesport, Missouri agrees and offers his additional advice on raising and maintaining healthy, happy deer.
Kirchner feels one more thing is always important to remember as well. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” he said. “There are always people willing to help you if you need it.”
1. Continuously keep your bucks in separate age groups, if you have the space, to avoid mingling of younger and older bucks. This will keep fighting to a minimum.
KENTUCKY 2020
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