Main description:

The farming of deer as an alternative to traditional livestock enterprises is now firmly established and is expanding within several countries of the European Economic Community. However, the successful farming of deer requires the adoption of appropriate management schemes to accommodate the biological requirements of these animals. Much experience has now been gained and it is essential that this information becomes readily available througout the Community. In addition, as the volume of deer farming has increased a number of health problems have become recognised which present features distinct from other domestic ruminants. Although knowledge is still incomplete it would appear that deer may react to certain pathogens in a very different way to other domestic ruminants, presenting new problems of diagnosis and control. The rapid detection of these conditions and development of appropriate control strategies will be essential for the establishment of an economically viable deer farming industry in the Community. Much of the information on the management of farmed deer and their diseases is anecdotal and fragmented and the purpose of this meeting was to accelerate the dissemination of this knowledge between scientists in the Community committed to the development of this area of agricultural industry. The meeting, financed by the Commission of the European Communities from its budget for the Coordination of Agricultural Research in the Community was held in Scotland, on the 10th to 11th December, 1987.

Contents:

Management and Nutrition of Farmed.- Session I.- Studies on The Epidemiological Pattern and Control of Nematode Infection in Cerv/Idae.- Epidemiology and Control of Parasitic Diseases in Danish Deer Farms.- Pulmonary Parasites: Pathology and Control.- Cryptosporidiosis in Red Deer.- Conclusions From Session I.- Session II.- General and Economic Aspects of Deer Farming.- Deer Farming in Denmark, With Special Emphasis on The Management and Handling of Fallow Deer.- Diagnostic Examinations of Autopsy Material Submitted From Farmed Deer in Denmark.- Slaughter of Deer.- Conclusions From Session II.- Session III.- Health Aspects of Deer Farming.- Tuberculosis in Farmed Red Deer.- Paratuberculosis.- Experience on A Scottish Experimental Deer Farm.- Serological Survey in Free-Living Red Deer in France.- Ethological Aspects of Deer Farming.- Conclusions From Session II.- Session IV.- Studies on The Epidemiology and Pathogenisis of Alphaherpesviruses From Red Deer and Reindeer.- Herpesvirus Infections of Red Deer and Other Wild Ruminants in France and Belgium.- The Diagnosis of Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Deer.- The Aetiology of Malignant Catarrhal.- Conclusions From Session iv.- Session V.- The Transport of Deer.- Early Nutrition, Growth and Reproductive Performance In Young Scottish Red Deer Hinds, and Their Economic Significance in Commercial Herds.- Farm Tour of Macaulay Land Use Research Station At Glensaugh: A Summary of The Main Features.- Conclusions From Session V.- Final Conclusion.- List of Participants.