Why Deer Farmers Should Care About Quebec's Deer Disease

by Jennifer Smith October 03, 2018

Just this week, news outlets in Quebec reported that deer were found with Chronic Wasting Disease on a farm. The deer were removed and killed. In response to the farm scare, a deer cull was issued, killing 300 deer. While it's good news that the infected deer are no longer a concern, what remains a concern is Chronic Wasting Disease and the fact that the disease is spreading throughout the Canadian provinces.

Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal disease in cervid species (deer, elk, moose) that affects other deer herds. It spreads from animal to animal and only affects them - as far as researchers can tell. For deer farmers, the rise of Chronic Wasting Disease is a huge concern, as the spread can lead to their deer breeds.

In summer 2017, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources made new deer farm changes stating that deer farms that have had a CWD infection will need to install a second fence or solid barrier. CWD-free farms would have three options: add a second fence, add a solid barrier or add an electric fence. Farmers would have a year to comply.

While the ruling has not spread across the States, or throughout Canada, it may be coming soon. Canadian deer farmers need to look at their current fence system and see if they need to update the fence to prevent possibly infected deer from making their way onto their farms.