This project intends to provide chronic wasting disease (CWD) prevention by assisting cervid herd owners in reducing the susceptibility of their herds through genomically estimated breeding value…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $396,875 cooperative agreement to the Trade and Consumer Protection Wisconsin Department of Agriculture on September 30, 2025, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025).

The award funds chronic wasting disease prevention in Wisconsin cervid herds through genomically estimated breeding value (GEBV) testing to identify and remove highly susceptible animals from breeding populations. The project assists cervid herd owners in reducing herd susceptibility via selective breeding for reduced CWD susceptibility and provides an alternative herd management option for CWD-positive, exposed, and trace herds when whole-herd depopulation is unavailable or unwanted. The work removes CWD-positive animals identified by ante mortem rectal biopsy testing and removes highly susceptible cervids based on GEBV scores, reducing environmental contamination and potentially limiting disease spread when coupled with predictive genetic selection. The project also provides up to $2,500 per producer in implementation assistance and reimbursement of up to fifty percent for costs of semen, embryos from animals with favorable GEBV scores, and artificial insemination or embryo transfer equipment to producers in Wisconsin's Herd Certification Program. The project supports management of Wisconsin's Herd Certification Program, which reduces interstate CWD spread risk and increases trade confidence in cervid animals and products.

The period of performance runs through September 29, 2026, with place of performance in Wisconsin.

This project intends to provide chronic wasting disease (CWD) prevention by assisting cervid herd owners in reducing the susceptibility of their herds through genomically estimated breeding value (gebv) testing, removal of highly susceptible animals from the breeding population, and selective breeding for reduced susceptibly. IT also provides a CWD herd management option for CWD-positive, -exposed, and trace herds when indemnity is not available for whole herd depopulation, or an owner does not wish to depopulate their herd. This option removes CWD-positive animals identified by ante mortem rectal biopsy testing and identifies cervids that are highly susceptible to CWD as identified using their gebv scores. Removing highly susceptible exposed and positive animals helps reduce environmental contamination and may limit the spread of CWD when coupled with selective breeding based on predictive genetics. Decreasing susceptibility in unaffected herds may reduce the likelihood of introduction of CWD and reduce or eliminate spread to or from wild deer across the fence line. As a result, this project will benefit cervid producers in the state and possibly wild cervid populations. This approach provides an alternative to whole herd depopulation to help manage CWD in farmed deer. In addition, this project intends to provide predictive genetics implementation assistance for farmed cervid producers participating in the herd certification program (HCP) to reduce susceptibility to CWD; a maximum of $2,500 per producer will be provided to further decrease susceptibility through genetic improvement. Reimbursements of up to 50% for the cost of items such as semen/embryos from deer with good gebv scores and artificial insemination or embryo transfer equipment will be provided. This project also intends to aid in the management of wisconsin's HCP. The HCP reduces the risk of interstate CWD spread and increases trade confidence of cervid animals and products. This project provides gebv testing, disposable rectal biopsy instruments and supplies, rectal biopsy testing for quarantined herds, and indemnity and related expenses for owners of CWD-positive breeding herds with an approved predictive genetics-based herd plan. Finally, this project intends to develop and/or deliver educational outreach materials or programs to farmed cervid stakeholders in the HCP on program requirements, CWD sample collection, and/or predictive genetics. This proposal does not include subawards.