EVIDENCE THAT DEMANDS A VERDICT
Diversified Livestock Industry as a Growing Division of Agriculture

This article was originally printed in the December 2000 / January 2001 issue of Tracking The Industry. . .

Increased interest in domestically raising traditionally wild animals continues to cause a dramatic growth in the diversified livestock sector of agriculture. This production has been readily received by the rural population as a viable resource which can encourage and assist in the stabilization of the farm economy . In many situations, farmers have been forced to diversify simply to help save the grain based traditional family farm. These investments in the production of deer and elk in turn generate a generous revenue back into our national economy. The expansion into the elk and deer industry (since around 1970), represents a growth in value and numbers that cannot be ignored. Along with this expansion, a parallel growth in other areas is needed. As a non-traditional form of agriculture, the diversified livestock industry has not had the supportive benefits of traditional agricultural service industries. As the industry has grown, so have we experienced some growth in research, policies/regulations and knowledge base. Although more growth in these areas is needed, there has been a significant lack of growth in the area of health management. There is an obvious lack of veterinary medications licensed for use in elk and deer. By exposing that need for appropriate medication, perhaps we can present the evidence that will demand a verdict.

The growth of the alternative livestock industry has been on the increase for the past 30 years. There are an estimated 5 million farmed deer worldwide, with an estimated 250,000 farmed deer and elk in the United States. In the paper, published by (United States Department of Agriculture) USDA, APHIS, VS (Centers for epidemiology and Animal Health), the numbers of farmed cervids in the States are clearly listed by State. (See table 1) The facts maintain that the "exotic hoofstock population in Texas", (presently the state with the largest farmed cervidae population), "in 1966 was 37,000 and by 1996 this population had grown to 198,000." (These numbers also include the various varieties of exotic deer, most often raised exclusively for exotic trophy hunts.) According to the North American Deer Farmers Association, the estimated number of farmed deer grew between 1992-1996 (4 years), from 44,000 to 126,000 with an estimated value of $80 million,(p.2,USDA,APHIS,VS). In speaking with NADeFA, given the fact that not all deer farmers are members and not all members report their numbers, these numbers can only be their best estimate based on the numbers reported. Theoretically, these numbers could be much greater than believed. Based solely on the whitetail deer and mule deer species only, there are presently an estimated 16,300 farmed deer in Canada.(see table 2) These numbers would rise significantly if fallow deer and other exotic/non-native hoofstock were included. Based on 1995 herd estimates, Canadian fallow deer numbers were at 32,000 (SAF stats) .Now to add Canadian farmed elk numbers, at an estimated 35,000 (based on 1997 stats-Ian Thorleifson The History of Elk Farming in North America) and an estimated 70,000 US farmed elk with an estimated value of over $1 billion US, we have the numerical evidence which speaks highly of the need for recognition of diversified livestock as a high stakes player in the agricultural industry. Given these numbers, we can see that the growth in the farmed elk/deer populations continues to multiply at an incredible rate.

Table 1: Captive Deer and Elk populations by State, 1999 - Sources: CEAH Survey (Cervidae)

(-) State did not have this information; (*) Only available as all cervidae - not differentiated between deer and elk.
Sources: CEAH Survey (Cervidae).

Table 2: Estimate of the Canadian farmed Whitetailed Deer Herd, 1999

(Source: Provincial and Federal agencies)
Reprinted from White tailed Deer Financial and Production Information, revised June 2000, (SAF)

Consider at these numbers, that the diversified livestock industry hasn't the benefit of licensed veterinary medications which could help prevent disease and protect the health and welfare of these animals. The population of animals is important, but also is their value added potential. These animals (in most cases) carry a much greater economic value than most traditional livestock (cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, etc).With larger investments come greater losses, as the death of one animal can represent a large percentage in loss of income. Given the rate of return and potential market comparisons, the monetary value of one deer (given a $9000 value) could theoretically represent on average, 8 head of cattle (given a $1100 value).The potential for economic loss cannot be dismissed in our quest for improved health conditions for diversified livestock.

It is time for the pharmaceutical companies and other health agencies to recognize the need for licensed medications designed specifically for the diversified livestock industry. Presently in Canada , any veterinary advice for medication in elk and deer comes in the form of "off-label use", because "approved drugs are not available for the complete range of species, disease conditions, production types, ages, etc., encountered by veterinarians, so the extra label use of drugs is essential," (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association- CVMA position statement). This is not the preferred method of treatment by veterinarians but at this point, it is unfortunately, the only option available. The administration of medication must then simply rely on the professional training and experience of veterinarians. This experience and training with diversified livestock is on the gradual increase but the lack of licensed medications to prescribe, often leaves the average veterinarian without the necessary confidence in dosages and treatments. The CVMA also "supports the use of vaccines to control and prevent infectious diseases in animals" and recognizes that vaccines "play a very important role in preventative medicine and will continue to be a mainstay for animal health" (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association- CVMA position statement). Presently, there are no existing vaccines certified for use in elk or deer. Using ineffective vaccines on a species it is not intended for, can place that animal "at risk of adverse reactions". In his article "Things to Consider When Designing Vaccination Programs for Bison", Dr. John Berezowski explains the process for development of a vaccine: "when a pharmaceutical company is granted a licence to produce and sell a vaccine, the licence specifies in which species it may legally be administered. As part of the licencing process, the pharmaceutical company must ensure that the vaccine is safe when administered to those species for which it has been granted a license." The first step in this development process is for the pharmaceutical company to conduct safety trials for the vaccine. These clinical trials are necessary to "establish the effectiveness of the vaccine, the dose required to produce an immune response and the frequency of re-administering." Because of the lack of clinical research, much information about available non-species specific vaccines may be of questionable value and the diversified livestock producer must exercise caution if choosing to administer these non-licensed vaccines. Adverse reactions can actually result in increased losses in livestock. A somewhat ironic situation in that as we try to exercise good health management practices, we may tend to actually put these animals at greater risk. So we can determine that because of a lack of research into the effectiveness of medications and vaccines for use in elk and deer, the potential losses of diversified livestock is compounded by the potential for higher economic value. Once again, it is necessary to recognize that the value placed on these animals demands a verdict in the area of vaccine and medicinal research.

In our campaign for licensed medications for deer, we need to see the broader picture. As deer producers, the tendency may be to focus interest in specifically whitetail or mule deer numbers or specifically Canadian animals. However it is necessary to recognize that the impact we have on the decision- making "powers that be", will be decidedly greater as a collective voice which includes other species of deer and looks outwardly past our Canadian borders for greater support of the cause. For these reasons, other deer species and American numbers of farmed deer and elk have been included , (although the quest for American deer/elk numbers was an intensive and near impossible task). My hope is that even one pharmaceutical company will read this article and recognize the need for licensed veterinary meds and vaccines for use in the diversified livestock industry. Or that one researcher will set in motion the clinical studies needed to begin the licensing process. Or that one government body will recognize the health issues inherent in the obvious lack of health management information available to the diversified livestock producer and advocate the specific development of vaccine and veterinary treatment programs needed in our industry. Or that regardless of species raised, diversified livestock producers would work together, to lobby as a collective voice which will continue to aggressively seek the development of health management practices supported by licensed medication.

Tara-Lynn Barks

Whitetailed Deer Financial and Production Information, revised June 2000, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, Sustainable Production Branch
www.agr.gov.sk.ca

"Wildlife Production: Issues and Trends", Robert J. Hudson, Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB.
http://cervid.forsci.ualberta.ca/library/wcapkorea/WCAPfinal.html

"The Wildlife Industry- Trends and New Challenges for Animal Health Agencies" May 2000,USDA,APHIS,VS Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Center for Emerging Issues, Christine Kopral (contact)
www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/health.htm#wildlife

"Vaccine Protocols (July 1999)/ the Extra- Label Use of Drugs(November 1993)" CVMA (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association) Position Statements

"Some Things to Consider When Designing Vaccination Programs for Bison", Dr. John Berezowski, Dept. of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, WCVM, University of Saskatchewan

"The History of Elk Farming in North America", Ian Thorleifson, Executive Director Alberta Elk Association, 1997 stats AEA Library :
www.albertaelk.com

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