This project provides a CWD herd management option for a CWD-positive WTD herd because the owner does not wish to depopulate their entire herd if IT can effectively be cleaned up

To date, one CWD positive herd has been effectively cleaned up using methods and strategies described in this cooperative agreement. This cooperative agreement option removes CWD positive deer identified by ante mortem IHC rectal biopsy, and deer that are highly susceptible to CWD as identified via their predictive genetics gebv score. Removing CWD positive animals helps reduce environmental contamination and may limit the spread of CWD particularly when coupled with predictive genetics and other best management practices. Whole genome predictive genetics [refs 1-3] can identify deer that are highly susceptible to CWD so that they can be removed from a breeding herd; thus reducing CWD prevalence in positive herds and reducing or eliminating the introduction of CWD into other adjacent populations. This approach provides states with an option other than whole herd depopulation to help manage and mitigate the incidence of CWD in farmed deer.