Breeding for the Future: Rush Canyon Ranch's Fight Against CWD

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Breeding for the Future: Rush Canyon Ranch's Fight Against CWD

This week on Deer and Wildlife Stories, host Keith Warren heads to Rush Canyon Ranch in Ripon, Wisconsin, where owner Chuck Nelson and daughter Vanessa Nelson are making waves in the deer farming world. With a herd of about 350 deer, Rush Canyon Ranch has been honing its craft for five years, focusing on advanced genome typing to help combat CWD. Their breeding game is on point—using artificial insemination (AI) to bring in top-tier genetically resistant semen from special breeder bucks across the country, ensuring they’re producing only the best genetics. With a focus on the finest markers and breeding values, Rush Canyon is shaping up to be a powerhouse in producing genetically superior deer!

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Born to Be Legendary: The Prime Acres Story

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Born to Be Legendary: The Prime Acres Story

This week on Deer and Wildlife Stories, host Keith Warren visits Prime Acres Whitetails in Woodville, Texas. Owned by Brad Hassic, Prime Acres is renowned for its legendary whitetail deer breeding program and its exciting new venture into exotic species. Brad has begun introducing animals like Oryx, Nubian ibex, kangaroos, Bongos, and axis deer to expand the ranch’s diverse offerings.
Prime Acres is famous for producing some of the finest whitetail deer in the industry, with animals like Simply Irresistible, Back in Black, and Horizon earning their place as living legends. Keith believes that the secret to success is focusing on consistently breeding high-quality genetics and ensuring the herd's health and vitality. As the ranch grows and adds more exotic species, Prime Acres continues to lead the way in deer farming, solidifying its reputation as the birthplace of legends.

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

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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 are 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

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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

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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

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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 whitetail breeding industry.

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Woodard Whitetails: Conquering CWD with Elite Genetics

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Woodard Whitetails: Conquering CWD with Elite Genetics

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

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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

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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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Resistance to Chronic Wasting Disease and Trophy Genetics

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Resistance to Chronic Wasting Disease and Trophy Genetics

Deer and Wildlife Stories opens its new season with an exclusive episode featuring The Swamp Whitetails, a premier whitetail breeding facility in Alabama. The episode focuses on selectively breeding for Chronic Wasting Disease resistance while at the same time producing trophy genetics, which is sought after by deer enthusiasts nationwide.  Host Keith joins herd manager Rodney Ragon for a deep dive into the importance of using cutting-edge science and selective breeding to cure Chronic Wasting Disease.

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