Genetics and CWD Resistance: Building a CWD Resistant Herd at Black Label Whitetails

Genetics and CWD Resistance: Building a CWD Resistant Herd at Black Label Whitetails

This week on Deer and Wildlife Stories, host Keith Warren visits Black Label Whitetails. Located in Portland, Michigan, this premier deer breeding facility owned by Ryan Halfman and his family is using scientifically proven technology to make their deer herd more resistant to Chronic Wasting Disease. Black Label focuses on this CWD resistance while producing high-quality whitetails with strong genetics, size, and aesthetics. Ryan and his family also emphasize sustainable farming practices, with this unique approach to breeding based on genetic markers. By using these genetic markers, Black Label Whitetails ensures their herd's continued health. Ryan’s commitment to excellence makes Black Label a leader in Michigan’s deer farming industry.

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Tajada Whitetails: Building Deer with CWD Resistance

Tajada Whitetails: Building Deer with CWD Resistance

Join Keith Warren as he visits Tajada Whitetails, where George Tunal and his family are pushing the boundaries of deer farming. With a focus on advanced genetics and animal husbandry, they are combating chronic wasting disease through selective breeding while at the same time enhancing trophy-sized deer. Discover how Tunal’s breeding program prioritizes longevity, health, and adaptability, ensuring deer thrive even in harsh environments. Featuring impressive yearlings and two-year-olds with wide frames and strong genetic backgrounds that are more durable to CWD, Tajada Whitetails is setting the stage for the future of deer farming in a growing market.

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Five O’s Ranch: Stopping CWD by Selective Breeding in Alabama

Five O’s Ranch: Stopping CWD by Selective Breeding in Alabama

Join Keith Warren as he shares how Cameron Odom and his family are tackling the CWD issue at the Five O’s Ranch in Alabama. Cameron is light years ahead of most deer breeders in the market and since 2016 he has focused on CWD disease resistance as his number one priority.
With a herd of nearly 200 whitetails, the farm focuses on growing big, clean typicals while prioritizing disease resistance. Through cutting-edge science, funded in part by the North American Deer Registry, they are building a herd with exceptional genetic markers that are scientifically proven to have resistance to CWD. Operating as a closed herd since 2016, Five O’s Ranch is a model for the future of deer farming, where family involvement and proven scientific practices are driving progress in the industry.

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MVP Whitetails: Legendary Pedigrees, Unmatched Performance

MVP Whitetails: Legendary Pedigrees, Unmatched Performance

Join the Webster family as they take you inside MVP Whitetails in Kaufman, TX, where a decade of dedication has transformed the operation into a leader in the whitetail breeding industry. With nearly 750 animals, MVP Whitetails has earned its reputation for top-tier performance and exceptional pedigrees. Specializing in stocking ranches, MVP’s family-oriented approach and legendary customer service set them apart in the deer breeding industry. Discover how the buck Major League helped put MVP on the map and how their commitment to quality continues to shape the future of the whitetail breeding industry.

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Conquering CWD with Elite Genetics | Woodard Whitetails

Conquering CWD with Elite Genetics | Woodard Whitetails

Join Keith Warren as he explores Woodard Whitetails in Kentucky, where Henry Woodard and his team are revolutionizing the industry. With over 300 whitetails and a growing elk herd, they’re leading the charge in breeding for superior genetics and CWD resistance. Discover how their diverse range of trophy whitetails and cutting-edge breeding practices are shaping the future of deer farming.

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Let’s Have a Party: IDEFA Picnic

Let’s Have a Party: IDEFA Picnic

Join host Keith Warren as Deer and Wildlife Stories takes you inside three standout Indiana deer farms. Discover the cutting-edge genetics, nutrition, and sustainable practices behind trophy whitetails from Pine Creek Deer Farm, known for their big, clean, typical deer and legendary throwing genetics to X-Factor Whitetails’ health-focused game preserve and Springfield Whitetails’ industry-shaping genetics. Plus, don’t miss the IDEFA Picnic, where the community gathers to celebrate deer farming innovation and learn some new tips and tricks in the industry.

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Breeding the Perfect Deer and Piebald in Michigan

Breeding the Perfect Deer and Piebald in Michigan

Keith heads to Michigan to visit two exceptional deer farms, Red Moon and Spotted Acres. From bottle-feeding fawns to raising calm, gentle deer, these farms are perfecting the art of selective breeding. Learn about their innovative embryo programs, the health and care of their deer, and how they’re producing stunning piebald and superior pedigrees.

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Genetically CWD Protected Deer at CC Bar Whitetails

Genetically CWD Protected Deer at CC Bar Whitetails

Today we travel to Northeast TX to CC Bar Whitetails. This massive operation and Hank Corbell and his family have built the largest herd of whitetails that are scientifically shown to have increased resistance to CWD. Currently, Hank is years ahead of any deer farmer we know of regarding his entire herd having these special genetic markers and incredible GEBV scores.

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The Biggest Bucks in Kentucky!

The Biggest Bucks in Kentucky!

Today we travel to Kentucky where the deer farming market is white hot! We visit Woodard Whitetails of Kentucky and show you how this deer farm is setting a new standard for other deer farms nationwide. Farm owner Henry Woodard is a legend in the deer farming world and is known for developing incredible genetics for the deer farming industry. You’ll see hundreds of deer on this episode that virtually any breeder would want on their farm.

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The Most Valuable Bucks with the Most Valuable Pedigrees!

The Most Valuable Bucks with the Most Valuable Pedigrees!

Today, Keith Warren is at MVP Whitetails where owners Jade and Jalen Webster remind us just why they’re called MVP. You will be hard-pressed to find a better pedigree anywhere in the deer business! Every year we see more and more incredible bucks on the ground but this year MVP has really outdone themselves with giants like Upper Deck, HighPower and Iceman!! Plus, we’ll show you how MVP is now breeding the biggest axis deer in the world.

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Indiana Deer Farmer Showcase

Indiana Deer Farmer Showcase

This week we travel to Indiana and start off at the Indiana Deer Farmers annual picnic. Then it’s off to meet Russ Bellar out of Peru, Indiana. This farmer doesn’t know how to do anything small. Russ is one of the hardest working 74-year-old men you’ve ever seen and we just want to show you what one man can do when he sets his mind to something big. Then we visit Springfield Whitetails, an Amish-owned deer farm (by Lester Eicher) that has made it to the top of the deer breeding industry by hard work, great genetics, and incredible results.

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WORLD CLASS Genetics, Genetic Markers and GEBV scores | Rocky Ridge Whitetails 2023

WORLD CLASS Genetics, Genetic Markers and GEBV scores | Rocky Ridge Whitetails 2023

This week we are just outside of Narvon, Pennsylvania visiting Rocky Ridge Whitetails, an Amish-owned deer farm. For twenty-five years this farm has been owned and operated by John Ervin Stoltzfus and his family. They have grown some of the most legendary bucks of the deer breeding industry like Navigator and now Super Sonic and they’ve won more awards for their giant deer than any breeder we have ever featured. But now they have a new twist. They are now breeding the giant whitetails for resistance to Chronic Wasting Disease and this is proving to not only be successful but changing the way deer breeders across the country breed their deer.

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