TABLE OF CONTENTS / ADVERTISERS Advertising Information......................................... 5 Board of Directors................................................. 1 Draves Mineral Company.................................... 33 Habitat Enhancement............................................ 6 Health Preparation Prior to Fawning............. 28-29 Humic Acid degrades CWD prions in soil.......... 20 McClung Sales..................................................... 25 Medgene Labs – Offering Experimental EHD Vaccines.. 14 Membership Application..................................... 35 Nature’s Best Whitetails...................................... 40 President’s Message............................................. 3 Sponsors.............................................................. 37 Spring Word Search.............................................. 2 Table of Contents.................................................. 1 UDFOM event pictures 2020................... 18, 30, 36
ADVERTISERS INDEX: Antler Ranch...................................17
PNEU-DART, Inc.............................32
BR2 Whitetail Sales & Service.......39
Prime Acres..........Inside Back Cover
C&E Wildlife Products....................15
Purina..............................................23
Cedar Breaks Ranch......................36
Rocky Ridge Whitetails..................31
Cervid Solutions, LLC....................12
ST Genetics......................................9
Cross Canyon Whitetails................24
Stewart Creek Whitetails................19
Dan-Inject North America................7
Storm’s End Whitetails...................26
Deerstore.com................................13
Sunrise Supply, LLC.......................13
Fryes Whitetails...... Inside Frt. Cover
Thunder Bay Whitetails..................21
GKR...................................................4
Townsedge Whitetails....................22
Head Gear LLC...............................34
Trophy Whitetail Deer.......................5
Hilty Whitetails................................16
Whetstone Brothers Premiere Whitetails........................27
Ledgends Ranch.............Back Cover Pine Creek Deer Farm.............. Cover
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Josie Borkholder
Whitetail Syndications................8, 38
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS President- Doug Roberts Phone: 810-241-9554 droberts@conquestdeerfarm.com
Website Chair -Terry Edwards Phone: 989-657-3628 thunderbaywhitetails@gmail.com
Board Member-- Dan Harrington Phone: 906-774-3571 dan@wideandhighwhitetails.com
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Education/Marketing ChairRyan Halfman Phone: 517-281-2936 blacklabelwhitetails@gmail.com
Board Member--John Wilson Phone: 989-324-0543 platinumwhitetails@yahoo.com
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Board Member-- Kyle Eckert Phone: 734-395-8461 kyle@br2salesandservice.com
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P RESIDE N T ’ S M E S S A G E As I write this letter we all find ourselves quarantined at home hopefully with our families. It is indeed a unique situation we all find ourselves in and as this virus plays itself out we will probably all know someone who has become ill with Covid – 19. I pray that all of you stay safe and enjoy the slowing down of our hectic lives and get back to enjoying the simpler things in life like peace and quiet. I would like to let everyone know that the UDFOM Convention at Soaring Eagle was a HUGE success. A great big thank you to all of you who attended and financially supported the association. The new auditorium was a fantastic setting and all indications show the convention to be our biggest and best ever! A special thanks to Robert Sergi, Terry Edwards, Trish Jaworski and the rest of the board members for putting together such a wonderful event! We are already working on next years’ event which will be held on May 7 & 8 2021 in Mt. Pleasant.
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I would like to welcome two new board members, Dan Harrington and John Wilson. I look forward to working with them and seeing the new talents they will bring to the association. I would also like to thank Gene Skiba and Joan Runnels for the time a service to the UDFoM board over the last few years. I want to let you know that during this time of uncertainty all research projects and testing of any kind have been put on hold. The reasons stated are that all safety materials are being sent out to combat Covid – 19 in the hospitals. The state will let us know when things resume back to normal. Again, please be safe and enjoy this slower time with family and friends even if it is only by phone or some other distant communication. We WILL all get through this and the future will be bright on the other side. God Bless all of you, Doug Roberts UDFoM President
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Habitat Enhancement
Create Deer-Friendly Refuge, Terrain
By: Gail Veley
Increasing the number of free-range deer, wild turkey and other types of wildlife on your property may be as simple as rearranging the layout of your land. While this may be a popular subject to talk about, few private landowners have the time, equipment or expertise to make it happen. Hiring a land management company for this task can be one of the most lucrative and smartest investments you will ever make.
to increase the likelihood that your property will thrive with native wildlife and provide them with a much-needed refuge. While land enhancement projects might produce highly desired short-term results, it can take up to two years to see the full fruition of these efforts.
“Natural habitat in America is decreasing all the time and is happening all over the place,” said Derek Borkholder, manager for a habitat enhancement and land management company in Bremen, Indiana. “If you enhance your own property you won’t have to worry about what is going on around you. From a resale perspective, people are always willing to pay more for an enhanced property that attracts wildlife, should you ever decide to sell.”
Land management companies can provide additional services as well, such as regular year-round mowing, hunting blind installation and camera installation on trees or posts to catch and monitor wildlife activity. However actively managing a property ceases from October through December during the hunting season, and usually starts up once again in the beginning of the year.
Well-equipped land management companies can cover all aspects of habitat enhancement from eliminating less productive trees and vegetation and replacing them with perhaps younger, more desirable trees, vegetation and tall grasses. Taking into account the lay of your land and the direction of the wind, land management companies specialize in physically accessing your property, while addressing your goals for attracting wildlife. Aerial view drawings are typically created along with recommendations for making your property align with these goals. A “vision” for your property begins to take shape.
Land enhancement projects can range in size from a 20-acre parcel of land all the way up to 250 acres or even larger. Customers of land enhancement projects are generally very happy with the end results. “The feedback has been very positive,” said Leon Miller, owner of the same land management company managed by Borkholder. “There is a science behind it. You need the right ideas and approach, so you make the very most of what you have.”
Some recommendations include building hunting stands and planting food plots near the edge of your land, while creating a sanctuary in the middle of your property for wildlife such as deer to bed down, feel safe and hide at night. “When that deer gets up to go eat, it’ll head right toward the food plot,” Borkholder said. “If it ever gets spooked and runs off, it’ll just go deeper into your property.” Deer populations may increase by 10 or 20 times on your property with the right habitat enhancement. As part of the enhancement, older trees are harvested to make way for young ones. Additional attractants such as man-made ponds, acorn trees, ever greens, white pines and spruce may be added
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Lone Pine Whitetails and Pine Creek Deer Farm – Embracing Changing Industry Trends By: Gail Veley In the quiet solitude of nature, bird calls may be the only thing you hear above the careful footsteps of James Slabaugh as he explores deep in the woods. With his educated gaze and skilled hands, he’s hopeful to discover what he’s been unearthing since he was a young boy. Indian artifacts. In his four decades or so of searching he’s found arrow heads, tomahawks and pieces of slate. No matter how many he finds “it’s always a thrill,” he said. Perhaps most importantly to him, it never gets old. That same feeling resonates through James every morning as he approaches the deer pens containing “the most magnificent animal God ever created” at the farm he owns and operates with Josie Borkholder, Lone Pine Whitetails in Nappanee, Indiana. Although the deer certainly know what to anticipate upon his arrival, it apparently never gets old to them either. “When I walk on the outside of the pens, they still coming running to me,” James said. “I feed them marshmallows.” Even his daughter Kerri joins in, however, her favorite deer to feed is her very own doe, Laney. “Kerri taught her to stand on her hind legs for treats,” he said. Embracing a passion for raising and loving whitetail deer inevitably comes with embracing the changes that come along with it. As the deer industry has grown, knowledge of how to do it more efficiently has grown right along with it. For Borkholder and Slabaugh, this has come in the form of embracing a better way to collect DNA samples through Allflex USA, a company whose collection technique allows for cleaner and uncontaminated sampling and minimal stress to the animal. By pinpointing the exact location of a future ear tag, a perfectly round hole is made through the ear, using the extracted tissue for the DNA sample. By using this method, deer can recover much faster from the procedure, and there is no need to extract additional tissue or hair for DNA samples. This technique is far safer than previous ones, something Borkholder and Slabaugh feel is a good decision for their farm. In addition to ensuring DNA samples are collected safely, the two also see to the health and safety of the bred does on their 24-acre farm, by vaccinating for lumpy jaw and fusobacteria prior to fawning season. Through Dr. Jay Schuitman, the
Featured Farm Story 10
“Great Lakes Vaccine” is administered, followed by vitamins. Anticipation of this year’s fawn crop of 40 (more or less) is high as breeding buck Thermal Image is responsible for a substantial amount of their genetics. A Storm Express son with double Green 43 in his pedigree, Thermal Image scored 237 1/8” as a typical two-year-old, and also won 1st Place in August 2019 at the NADeFA Regional Conference in Ohio for the Best-Looking Two-Year-Old. Prized breeding bucks are the mainstay of any long-term successful deer farm. Eddie Ray Borkholder of Pine Creek Deer Farm in Bremen, Indiana knows exactly what that’s about. At nine years old, Storm Express, his most valued breeding buck, is still going strong. Having produced numerous sons spread all across the country, Eddie Ray is also glad to have raised Third Shift, a typical yearling and son of Voo Doo’s Magic and a perfect fit for his typical frame breeding program. Yet, Eddie Ray is also excited to own Triple Digit, a son of the well-known buck High Heat from Heath Jauer’s J-5 Ranch in Texas. This year, in an effort to ensure the health of all of his deer on his 12-acre farm remains steadfast, Eddie Ray is adding humic acid for the first time to his soil as well as to his deer feed. While still considered experimental “it neutralizes the ground and is thought to destroy CWD if it’s present in the ground,” he explained. “It also increases a deer’s immunity to CWD and balances the soil for perfect growth for whatever you plant. The sooner you spread it the better. I encourage every deer farmer to use humic acid.” Although specific dosages are still being studied for soil and feed inclusion, research has proven it’s effectiveness and longevity. Typically, farmers are currently adding 350 pounds of humic acid per acre and 15 pounds per one-ton of feed. And although Eddie Ray has been a deer farmer since 1983, this year is the first that several deer farmers have begun the practice of using humic acid. Like every other practice Eddie Ray puts into place at Pine Creek, he hopes this one will give him additional peace of mind and allow him to keep pace with the ever-revolving deer industry. “You keep thinking one day you will maybe figure it all out, but it’s always changing,” he said. “Maybe one day I finally will.”
Josie Borkholder 574-248-2675
James Slabaugh 574-642-1246
Eddie Ray Borkholder 574-546-0652
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Medgene Labs
Offering Experimental EHD Vaccines
By: Gail Veley
A research laboratory turned immunological services provider/ vaccine manufacturer, Medgene Labs, anticipates having 150,000 doses of an experimental EHD vaccine available for use in 2020. The company, based in Brookings, South Dakota, has been the answer to several deer farmers’ prayers, and although their vaccine is still considered experimental, it’s shown promise thus far at holding off Serotype 2 of the usually fatal disease. Since the development and release of the experimental vaccine, deer farmers in South Dakota, Florida, Oklahoma, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, Texas, North Carolina and Louisiana have used it, according to Ashley Petersen, Clinical Research and Development Lead Scientist at Medgene Labs.
Using the same platform technology, Medgene began working on a vaccine for EHD, and Dr. Young expanded his previous relationship with NADeFA that had focused on helping deer farmers understand the emergence and spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in the U.S. “EHD is very devastating and the worst thing deer farmers have to put up with,” said Daniel Thomas of Daniel Thomas Whitetails in Springhill, Louisiana. Thomas, having purchased 310 doses of Medgene’s EHDV-2 vaccine last year, administered it to his herd in February, followed by a booster shot three weeks later. As expected with any vaccine, his deer were a bit lethargic and backed off feed for a few days after receiving it. However, within a week after receiving the vaccine, all were behaving and eating normally again, he said.
“In the beginning of the summer of 2019 we got permission to field test the experimental EHD vaccine with interested livestock producers in the U.S.,” Petersen said. “It’s still considered experimental because we don’t yet have a license for it.” The first vaccine shipment went to the state of Florida at the end of July. Under the direction of Dr. Samantha Wisely and Dr. Juan Campos of the Cervidae Health Research Initiative (CHeRI) in Gainesville, Florida, CHeRI provided the vaccine and diagnostic testing to several Florida deer farmers at no cost. By the end of 2019, about 7,000 doses of experimental EHDV-2 vaccine had been distributed throughout the U.S., including the doses used under the direction of CHeRI.
“One of my favorite veterinarians told me this,” Thomas said. “Less will get sick if you vaccinate and less of the animals that get sick will die.” By this coming November, Medgene will have collected sufficient data to understand the role their vaccine played in holding off EHDV-2 and EHDV-6 and may acquire the necessary data for the final approval for the vaccine license. “We have had feedback from farmers who feel it did work,” Petersen said. “Although there is a lot of criteria to consider.” In order to handle the anticipated number of doses needed by deer farmers this year, Medgene has added vaccine production staff, and is continuing ongoing vaccine research in five other animal species. Since inception, the company has grown to over 20 employees who are dedicated to the health and well-being of animals and the farmers and veterinarians they serve.
However, prior to ever testing the vaccine on a widespread basis, NADeFA Executive Director Shawn Schafer offered to test his deer with the experimental vaccine, as well as Chuck Blain of Twin Creek Farm in Fedora, South Dakota. Preliminary testing in those herds occurred in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. In those settings, the vaccine was shown to cause little to no adverse reactions in the deer and was able to elicit the intended immune response. Based on those studies, the USDA granted Medgene permission to test the vaccine across the U.S., shipping directly to livestock producers and veterinarians.
“We’ve had many celebrations here because we realize we are making a difference,” Petersen said. “I’m glad we can make a difference to an industry that perhaps doesn’t get the attention of bigger companies.” For more information or to order the EHD vaccine, please contact Ashley at ashley@medgenelabs.com or call 605-692-1268.
Confidence to develop vaccines began taking shape when Medgene Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Alan Young, was asked to develop a vaccine for Rift Valley Fever, a foreign animal disease affecting hooved animals in Africa. “If the disease ever makes it into the U.S., it could present a real problem and we want to be ready,” Petersen said. Dr. Young, in collaboration with Dr. Juergen Richt of the Department of Homeland Security’s Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases at Kansas State University, developed and tested an experimental vaccine against Rift Valley Fever virus for sheep and cattle. Following this success, Medgene took the technology further, receiving two substantial grants from the Department of Homeland Security and creating a Rift Valley Fever vaccine that could be commercially licensed.
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2020
UDFOM D F OM
C O N VEN NT T ION Hanging out around the hand sanitizer, smart!
Alex Pung rocked the house Friday and Saturday night
Young Gun Winners
Biggest Yearling Award to Platinum Whitetail
Thank you Shawn and Ivan for your support!
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HUMIC ACID
DEGRADES CWD PRIONS IN SOIL! By: Dan Harrington • Sponsored by UDFOM
INTRODUCTION
C
WD is a disease that seems to be increasing in prevalence throughout North America and beyond. This is especially important to deer farmers who are affected by burdensome regulations and restrictions. It can ultimately put us out of business if we have the misfortune of having a positive test. It has definitely stifled our once overwhelming enthusiasm for what we do. There is hope. Although the route of transmission is still unknown, it has been hypothesized that CWD can be transmitted indirectly through environmental contamination, most commonly believed, through contaminated soil. The CWD prion is thought to be very resilient. It has been shown to exist in soils for many years. The Centers for disease control (CDC) states that the CWD prion can remain in the soil for a very long time. It is termed PrP resistant, because of its resistance to harsh chemical treatments, as well as its inability to be degraded naturally in the body. Autoclaving, a common method of sterilization has proven ineffective on the CWD prion.
ALONG COMES HUMIC ACID. HUMIC ACID is a naturally occurring component of soil. Through years of abusing our soils with herbicides, pesticides and pollution we have depleted the once sufficient amounts in our soils. In 2018, Judd Aiken at the University of Alberta demonstrated that humic acid at various concentrations degraded the CWD prion in infected brain tissues. Even though, humic acid degraded the prion in brain tissues, Aiken was un-able to conclude that humic acid would degrade the prion in soil, due to the complexity of soils. Many of us believed that humic acid would degrade the prion in the soil and wanted to test this theory. If confirmed we believed it would give deer farmers a major tool to fight CWD. There were many skeptics, but the United Deer Farmers of Michigan was not one of them. They stepped up and committed to funding a project, to verify if humic acid was capable of degrading prions in the soil.
METHODS Wilderness Whitetails of Wisconsin, a longtime leader in the Deer Farming community agreed to allow testing at one of their facilities. Greg and Shorty Flees had already been involved with helping to find a solution to CWD, through their involvement in resistance research with Dr. Haley. Testing sites were focused on feeding and watering areas. Samples were taken with a 1 inch diameter stainless steel soil sampling probe at depth of 1 inch. Twenty Four samples were taken. These samples were packaged and sent to CWD Evolution for prion testing. RESULTS Testing was done using RT-QuIC. The initial testing indicated that 3 of the 24 samples contained prions. The samples were retested with the same results. These positive samples were then treated with humic acid. The humic acid was dissolved in deionized water at the equivalent concentrations of those used in the Aiken study for comparison purposes. These concentrations were the equivalent values of 2.5 grams/ liter, 15 grams/liter and 25 grams per liter of humic acid. The humic acid source did vary from the Aiken study. Obtaining pure chemical grade humic acid was expensive and problematic. It would also be cost prohibitive for future practical application. The decision was made to use the New Mexico Mesa Verde Humates source, seeing this is easily available and affordably priced. The incubation period was also extended from 24 hours to 72 hours, reasoning that this increased period is not significant to practical deer farming purposes. ALL SAMPLES TREATED TESTED NEGATIVE for CWD prions. The humic acid at the highest concentration (25 g/l) interfered with positive results and therefore the negative values obtained at that concentration could not be used. However, all samples treated tested negative so we could assume that the highest concentration would also be negative at 25 g/l. These results show a 10 fold increase in the degradation of the prion at the extended incubation period used, verses the Aiken study.
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INTERESTING THOUGHTS Prions may not be as hardy as previously thought. The facility tested has a 70% CWD prevalence rate and we could only find prions in 12% of the samples, using state of the art technology. Keep in mind that the samples were taken in high congregation areas around feeders and waterers. Recent studies with Scrapie, a prion disease of sheep, has shown that differing soil types can present either inhibitory results or no difference in the replication efficiencies depending on soil composition (Saunders it al. 2011). High organic matter soils showed greater reduction in detections where high sand soils showed no apparent reduction in replication efficiency (Saunders et al. 2011). This may be explained in this study, in that High organic matter soils have higher humic acid content vs sandy soils, which have very little humic acid. GOING FORWARD I believe this study showed that if Deer Farmers want a solution to CWD, we are going to have to figure it out on our own. Currently, with the help of Scott Follett, we are setting up a study in Wisconsin at Apple Creek Whitetails. This study will look at the life expectancies of CWD positive deer on humic acid feed. It will test prion shedding on CWD positive deer fed Humic acid. It will test prion presence in semen of CWD positive deer fed humic acid. It will also continue exploring mineral levels and their effect on CWD. Finally it will also test the effects of CWD on markered deer. If you or your organization would like to participate in helping to solving CWD, please go to the website at www.solvecwd.com. You can also call Dennis Simpson at 313-2180105. Whitetails of Wisconsin has already committed to supporting this project. CONCLUSIONS First, I’d like to thank the Deer farmers of Michigan and Wisconsin for their forward thinking, and generosity in funding these studies. Finally, we’ve already covered this in other articles, but if you haven’t, think about using humic acid in your operation, and do your part to prevent CWD. Feel free to contact me at any time if you’d like to discuss anything. My cell is 906-282-7555, or email me at: dan@wideandhighwhitetails.com.
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McClung Sales
Providing Limitless Auction Possibilities By: Gail Veley Auction excitement is just a click away, regardless of the time of year, through McClung Sales, a newly formed online auction company based in Sheridan, Indiana. Since August of 2019, McClung Sales has created a format for interested consignors and bidders to come together for online auction transactions year-round. Through the convenience of the internet and comfort of your own home, McClung Sales Owners Blake and Sadie McClung have mastered the art of bringing the auction items to you.
the McClung’s also sell “Support Your Local Deer Farmer” t-shirts online. For each t-shirt they sell, $5 goes to the state association of that particular buyer. “We feel this is another important way to promote the industry and for deer farmers to be recognized for their contribution to our economy,” Sadie said. The McClung’s are excited to see where their fledgling company takes them and are grateful for events like The United Deer Farmer’s of Michigan annual convention (an event they helped to sponsor) to showcase their business.
“Why only have three or four main events a year? With McClung Sales, a bidder who can’t travel to those events can still participate. We are widening the market and increasing market value for everyone involved,” explained Sadie.
As this year unfolds, Blake looks forward to seeing whose genetics will be offered. “I love looking at all the different bucks,” he said. “I read all the state association magazines and see the bucks and it makes me feel like I’m a kid. I definitely have the passion and Sadie is right there with me.”
The process to participate is simple. Interested consignors contact McClung Sales with their auction lot. Provided the item is accepted, a live sale typically ensues, and a specific amount of time is assigned to each lot for bidding. In an effort to increase interest and bidding on an item, the McClung’s generate email blasts and social media postings. Once bidding has closed and a winner is determined and invoiced, they have seven days to pay for their item. The consignor is kept in the loop and notified when their item has been paid for. McClung Sales keeps 10% of the sale proceeds. There are no up-front costs for the consignor.
To find out more about McClung Sales: Call 317-764-0185 & 317-490-3051 Email: mcclungsales@gmail.com www:mcclungsales.w2auctions.com Follow us on Facebook: @McClungSales
“This allows for endless possibilities and the opportunities you can create,” Sadie said. “We are blessed with the internet and the ability to showcase various deer farms and their genetics.” The McClung’s, both deer fanatics, bring their diversified backgrounds along with the tools and the passion to run their company successfully. And although they have never owned a deer farm, Blake has been involved on his uncle’s deer farm since 2002. Sadie is also additionally employed at a livestock company whose online auction platform is similar to the one she and Blake now utilize. Aside from auction sales, to further enhance the deer industry
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Health Preparation Prior to Fawning There are many steps you can take in anticipation of fawning. Below are some practical ways you can actively ensure a successful fawning. Breeding Pens Does need to be placed in breeding pens at the least several weeks and preferably 30-60 days prior to fawning to ensure they establish a social order. Before deciding which does should go into pens together, think about their social interactions and which are dominant versus which are more submissive. Sometimes placing the more aggressive does together is best as they are able to hash out the hierarchy and establish a healthy social environment. This is where paying close attention and taking notes can be helpful. Know how your animals interact and place them in pens for optimal health and the least amount of stress prior to fawning. They need time to acclimate to the new environment and animals, especially ones they have never been introduced to before. Conditioning and Feed It’s always important to pay close attention to the conditioning of your doe(s) prior to fawning. Healthy adult does need some body fat but not too much. Excessive body fat or over-conditioning could cause difficulties when fawning. Dystocia, a difficult birth, is not often seen in Whitetail due to multiple births, but is sometimes seen in Elk. Knowing your species well, speaking to other cervid farmers and paying close attention when the due date is nearing is important to having a healthy fawning experience. The severity or mildness of the winter season will affect the amount of fat on your cervid. Keep all these factors in mind when thinking about what to feed and how much. Most likely you will want to feed a diet full of rich nutrients, with adequate and balanced amounts of protein, fat and fiber. If a quality commercial feed is unavailable consider a custom ration. Custom ra-
tions can be tailored to best fit your farm conditions and animal type. Always use the best possible ingredients when researching or mixing feed. Not all ingredients are created equal and it will show in your herd health over the course of time. Outside of labor costs, feed should be your largest expense by far, therefore make it the best for your money. View the Red Ridge Whitetails Feed power by MaxRax [C & E Wildlife], with all guaranteed analysis and ingredient information. Additionally, think about adding variety to your feed. You can look to feed seasonal fruit that may be left from a local orchard. Deer love apples and many times there are “seconds” or bruised fruit you can obtain from your local apple orchard with a heavy discount. Cervid are browsers by nature and benefit from browse (branches, leaves etc) from a maple, oak or fruit tree placed in their pasture or cut branches brought in. If you have access to fresh alfalfa and clover consider placing some in their enclosure for them to graze on. Another important aspect of feed is the addition of probiotics for your does preparing to fawn. C & E Wildlife produces probiotics for all your needs, at a minimum, including their “Farm Pack” in your regimen would be very beneficial. The Farm Pack is an all-natural micro encapsulated probiotic which is mixed into your feed and maximizes consumption, nutrient absorption and conditioning. A variety of all these feeds along with supplemental probiotics will help maintain a healthy rumen, intestinal tract and optimal health. Worming Coccidia are parasites that many Cervid have to contend with. There are some ways you can facilitate preventing the infection of Coccidia. This parasite causes diarrhea and can be prevented with some practical steps. First of all the more room your deer and elk have the less likely they are to contract this parasite, so overcrowding should be avoided. Also, if past farm history suggests coccidia issues may be present, administering a preventative medication in their feed or water approximately 30 days prior to fawning should assist in keeping them clear from transmitting Coccidia. There are a host of other parasites cervid could become infected with so it is important to keep good records and have your animals on a worming schedule in accordance with you VCPR. You can choose to use injectable wormers, oral wormers or topical applications. If you suspect your does have parasites, take a fecal sample and have your veterinarian or lab analyze the sample for Coccidia and other parasites. This is a very inexpensive test and provides a target result if a parasite(s) is discovered. Record Keeping Good records are essential in diagnosing or noticing any problems within your herd. “The shortest pencil is better than the longest memory.” Know your animals as best you can and know their normal behaviors. In the cervid industry you would most likely use an ear tag or another method for identification. On your records you want to track their ID (official or unofficial), dates of any care, dates and dosage of any medication administered and any other physical characteristics or notes. You also need to record how many fawns they freshened and their condition upon birth. Note their udder before and after fawning to get a whole picture of how the doe performs. Cervid Solutions Life Cycles provides all the tools needed for record keeping. Signs of Fawning Many experienced owners can recognize the signs that their doe will freshen imminently. Many will notice the appearance of a tight belly. Their bag will drop and udder will fill, sometimes this is called “bagging up.” Udder size is different on all animals so play close attention when the expected fawning date is close. Another factor in recognizing fawning is the does behavior; she may pace or walk the fences more often than normal. Overly aggressive behavior is another signal that a doe may be close to delivering fawn(s). Pay close attention and you should have an idea when fawns will arrive. 29
2020
U DF OM
C O NVE VENTION
Nontypical yearling award winners
Brian, a bucket raffle winner!
Robert on the mic
The Winners of the Golden Chair game! 30
ONCE IN THE CROSSHAIRS,
WE’LL TAKE IT FROM THERE. Whether it’s a 250-class animal or an entire herd, you need Pneu-Dart. Our American-made technology is designed to reduce trauma and promote ideal delivery. For more than 50 years we’ve not only supported the cervid industry, but have been a member of nearly every cervid-related association throughout the country. Pneu-Dart. The best in sight.
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PneuDart.com
>
866.299.DART
Draves Whitetail Mineral Company Producing Homegrown Nutrition
By: Gail Veley Destined to be an entrepreneur, Robert Draves was only 13 years old when he began mixing his own deer minerals into a viable supplement. The young deer hunter and enthusiast knew he was onto something when his friends started routinely asking for it. “The demand snowballed into me selling the supplements,” Draves said. After graduating from high school, working in the Agriculture Industry and graduating from business school, Draves Whitetail Mineral Company in Big Rapids, Michigan was born in 2015. Today Draves, 28, can’t thank the deer industry enough for allowing him to be a part of it.
matter what a customer chooses for his ranch “I’ve always gotten very positive feedback,” Draves said. “It’s nice to hear back from customers. They always have good results.” In addition to the mineral, complete feeds and top dress supplements, Draves Whitetail Mineral Company also offers a full line of food plot seeds for game ranches and private use. These products include Spray N Rake, a high tonnage clover mix which is perfect for breeders. Food plot seeds also include Thanksgiving Buffet, a high yielding brassica mix, perfect for that fall kill plot as well as The Blind Bambi, perfect for creating screening by a stand. Lastly, his Bachelor Party mix is a combination of soybeans, peas, buckwheat and forage oats. With any product Draves sells, there are discounts to hunting clubs and Deer farms who buy in bulk.
His mission in supplying mineral supplements (and personally creating and mixing them) focuses on two specific times of the year – the early spring and fall. Spring supplements include certain vitamins and minerals for specifically promoting milk production and antler growth. Fall supplements are enhanced for weight gain and attraction, in an effort to entice all deer to continue eating them throughout the winter months. Both categories of supplements help deer utilize their complete feed and natural brows better, while keeping nutritional deficiencies and cost at a minimum for customers. While other companies may also produce mineral supplements, perhaps Draves caters more to the Michigan elk and whitetail farmer by including plenty of calcium, phosphorus and selenium. “It’s very important to have these specific ingredients in our mix because selenium levels are low in Michigan” Draves emphasized. Perhaps another important company distinction is producing supplements with the same ratio that many beef cattle farmers use, as ruminant animal needs for nutrition specifically mirror those needed by whitetails. The end result is a cost effective, result-driven mineral supplement that is available in 20 or 50-pound bags. Being that a deer might eat between three and six ounces a day, the cost to feed one deer for an entire year may only be between $30 and $40. Considering what you are getting in exchange for your investment, the cost is very reasonable, Draves said. Draves mineral supplements can be fed alone as a “free choice” option, mixed into complete feeds, or used as a top dress. Some of the products include the Draves Whitetail Mineral, Draves Grand Slam and Draves Dirt Digger. No
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Keeping his customers happy is number one for Draves, aside from spending time with his wife Hannah who is very supportive of Draves’ passion. “I’m very happy I started my own company,” Draves said. “Looking back, this has been a dream come true for me. I’m just a local Michigan guy who wants to try to provide the right, honest knowledge to my customers without getting persuaded by a fancy bag.” If anyone is interested in placing an order or scheduling a Property Habitat Consultation, call Draves directly at 231-660-2854. Robert Draves, Draves Whitetail Mineral Company Email: draveswmc@gmail.com
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FORMULATED TO HELP DELIVER A POSITIVE IMPACT ON BUCK BEHAVIOR Delivers optimum levels of key ingredients designed to enhance mood and metabolism in cervids Helps reduce costly injuries, broken antlers, and death loss in high value bucks during fall/winter breeding season Contains no herbals nor tryptophan, eliminating concerns of unwanted side effects Use PeaceMaker to “keep the peace” during pre-rut, rut, transportation, and other key times during the year ™
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Supports digestive health and bolsters immune system All natural formula contains Encrypt , targeted egg proteins, enzymes and microencapsulated beneficial bacteria Top dress or mix in feeds during times of disease outbreaks or expected stress periods until conditions improve
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H EAD G EAR LLC 1383 ARCADIA ROAD , SUITE 102 / LANCASTER , PA 17601 PHONE 717-509-5724 WWW . HEADGEARLLC . COM
United Deer Farmers of Michigan Membership Application March1,1,2019 2020 –- M arch 1,1,2021 March March 2020
Memberships now run from March 1 to March 1. Please make sure you fully complete & fill in the highlighted areas on this application or your farm or ranch will not be added to the website due to incomplete information!
Name:
Business Name:
Species Raised:
Business Address: Mailing Address: City, State, Zip: Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
Email Address: Membership status:
_____ Website: New
Renewal
Would you like to volunteer for any of the following UDFoM committees (check all that apply): Board _____Auctions_____ Education
Newsletter
Legislation
Website
Please check all that apply:
Would you like your farm listed free on the UDFoM section of the website?
Would you like your ranch listed free on the UDFoM section of the website?
Lifetime Membership-$500.00 This will be a full registration & includes voting privileges, with a maximum of one vote per year per application.
Full Membership - $50.00 annually. When you pay $50, you will be an active member of United Deer Farmers of Michigan. This membership includes voting privileges, with a maximum of one vote per year per application. If you would like to pay with a credit card please enter your information here:
Name on card __________________________ Card #______________________________________Exp__________ Three digit code on back_____________ Type of card______________________Signature_____________________ I hereby make application for membership to United Deer Farmers of Michigan, agreeing to conform to the Code of Ethics and Bylaws governing the Association. Signature
Date United Deer Farmers of Michigan or (UDFoM) Debbie Simpson 42421 Bemis Rd. Belleville, MI. 48111
Make check payable to: Send application & check to:
UDFoM USE ONLY: Check #____________ Amount:____________ Date:
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2020
U DF OM
C O NVE VENTION Dennis Simpson and Tim Condict, thank you!
Robert and his cute helper
Typical Yearling Award Winners
SHOTGUN
EXCAL
NEEDLES
GEORGE
POWER DAM
CRAZY HORSE
POWER DAM
BLACK HAWK
CHIEF CHEYENNE
SHOTGUN RED 5
8S BLUE
YELLLOW 88
A Cedar Breaks Ranch & Missouri Valley Muleys PARTNERSHIP
SEMEN & OFFSPRING AVAILABLE BRANDON WALKER | C. 608-695-0796 | brandon@cedarbreaksranch.com CHRIS RYCKMAN | C. 605-848-0209 | chrisryckman@yahoo.com 36
MISSOURI VALLEY MULEYS
YEARLING SONS
Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
Storms End
Shareholders: Gary Edwards, Chris & Gina Hayes, Warren R. Syers Albert VanDeSteene, Jay Schuiteman, Alex Draper, Eugene Skiba, Paul Wyman
Sparr Valley
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Nature’s Best Whitetails 2
Strengthening the Family Business
By: Gail Veley
No sooner had Tom Witte Jr. set up his deer stand on Halloween night in Iowa close to a decade ago, when the biggest buck he ever saw appeared a mere 10 yards away. “I had just pulled out my bow and hung it,” Witte recalled. “Two minutes later, I saw him just standing there. I got him on my first shot.” The 179” inch buck fell seconds later, an unsuspecting participant in likely one of the shortest deer hunts in history. An elated and stunned Witte shared his good fortune with a buddy who didn’t question him, even though he figured others might.
his farm and then packages it into one-ounce bottles. His up-close and personal technique guarantees the urine is acquired in its most pure and strongest form. Typically, in one week alone he can collect enough urine to produce between 3,000 and 4,000 bottles. Demand is so high for his product that he quickly sells out every year. To his knowledge, Witte believes his company may be the only one of its kind collecting urine the way they do.
Today Witte, 46, feels good fortune and hard work is the backbone of the success on his deer farm, Nature’s Best Whitetails 2. Following in the footsteps on his mother Sheri and father, Tom Witte Sr., the younger Witte grew up knowing this was the path he wanted to follow. After having immersed himself since 1995 on his parent’s farm, Nature’s Best Whitetails in Sparta, Michigan, Witte started a second farm in 2017. His eightacre high-fenced deer haven in Reed City, Michigan is home to close to 50 does and 30 bucks of various ages.
Initially his mother’s undertaking, Nature’s Best Deer Scents started in 2002. In 2016, Witte took on the responsibility, in an effort to keep the family business running for future years. “I’m really happy that I’ve been able to follow in my parent’s footsteps,” Witte said. “I couldn’t think of anything else I’d rather do.” Witte’s wife Jennifer, 45, helps on the farm as her schedule allows. While she enjoys bottle feeding, Tom is actually more involved in the process than she is. While both prefer to raise bucks naturally, they bottle feed does and any fawns they feel might not survive otherwise. As he looks to the future, Witte is grateful to be a full-time deer farmer and continuing in an industry he is so passionate about. If he ever finds himself with spare time, he might enjoy the solitude of a bow hunt, or go get that set of antlers from his most memorable deer hunt and hang them somewhere in his recently built barn. (For right now, they are still in his parent’s basement.) But just like his deer, they represent where his heart is.
Witte caters to both the stocking and breeding end of the industry with both typical and non-typical bucks. While he infuses northern genetics into Express lines and uses bucks such as the wellknown Michigan raised buck Grizzly, his herd strongly favors the genetics found through Amish deer farmers Eddie Ray Borkholder and his Express lines, as well as Amos Stoltzfus and his Sophie lines. As a result of using these genetics, Witte proudly owns his most prized breeder buck, Big Jack, an SS Express son (a King Express son), who at merely two years old scored 309”. Another two-year-old SS Express son on Witte’s farm, mirroring his sire, also scored an impressive 265” with a 27 ½” wide inside spread.
Tom Witte 231-832-1036 tjwitte@att.net
In addition to raising quality deer, Witte also owns and operates a second deer business, Nature’s Best Deer Scents, which helps ensure hunters are more successful in their seasonal pursuits. Nature’s Best Deer Scents specializes in collecting urine from in-season does and selling it to almost every sporting shop in central Michigan. Using a collection pan, Witte personally collects urine from mid-September thru November from the does on
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GUTIERREZ CERVID COMPANY AT LEGENDS RANCH
The Velvet Social AUGUST 1/2
LEG E NDS R ANC H
AU G U ST 8/ 9
CONTACT ROBERT SERGI (781) 775-6288 OR JAKE BADGER (207) 651-9394
Lodging will be provided in a private suite (2 beds available) in our state of the art lodge, where our Executive Chef will serve delicious dinner and breakfast meals. A tour of our Breeding Facility will be given, ending in cocktails at our exquisite Wildlife Center. We are limited to nine packages per weekend. Arrival will be 1:00pm on Saturday, and check out will be 10:00am on Sunday.
RESERVE YOUR ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE NOW One package will be available at the UDFOM 2020 Fundraiser with 100% of earnings donated back to the association. The same package will be donated to NADeFA as well. A donation to our Non-Profit Wildlife Center supports public education and conservation. $500+ donations will receive an extra ticket in the choice doe fawn drawing.
www.GCCdeer.com
Each package also includes: - an entry into a drawing of your choice of GCC doe fawn from any genetic line (fully certified and accredited in CWD and TB Programs). Selection of sires include: Bad Hombre, Free Agent, Sudden Impact, Enterprise, Jumbo Headgear and Jumbo Chrome. (For more details on pedigrees, check out gccdeer.com) Drawing will be held at dinner on August 8, 2020. - $500 farm credit towards future semen draw, breeder buck, or doe.
GUTIERREZ CERVID COMPANY Legends Ranch