PA Deer Farmers Association News Posts

PDFA Pickleball Tournament & Farm Tour

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 16:33:48 GMT

On July 18, the PDFA held its summer pickleball tournament at Rocky Top Whitetails, bringing together approximately 55 people for a full day of pickleball, farm tours, great food, and fellowship.

The six teams competing in the tournament actually got their start months earlier at the 2026 PA Eastern Winter Classic. Custom pickleball paddle sets were donated to the PDFA and sold during the auction. Each winning bidder received their custom paddle set and, along with it, an entry into the summer pickleball tournament.

On July 18, those teams came together at Rocky Top Whitetails to compete. The group enjoyed lunch before heading out for farm tours at Rocky Ridge Whitetails and Walnut Ridge Whitetails, followed by a tour of Rocky Top Whitetails. The pickleball tournament wrapped up later that afternoon, and around 5:00 p.m. everyone gathered for a steak dinner.

It turned into a great day for the PDFA community—touring some outstanding Pennsylvania deer farms, raising money for the association, playing a little pickleball, eating some great steaks, and simply spending time together.

And we’re planning to do it again in 2027.

Custom pickleball paddle sets will once again be donated and auctioned at the 2027 PA Eastern Winter Classic, with the winning bidders earning their spot in next summer’s tournament.

So, if you want to play some pickleball, eat a great steak, tour some of the top deer farms in Pennsylvania, and enjoy a day with fellow PDFA members, make sure you bid on a paddle set at the 2027 Winter Classic.

Stay tuned for more details!

Fall 2026 President's Message from Josh Newton

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 16:32:56 GMT

As summer moves along, fawns are growing, bucks are putting on inches, and another fall season is quickly approaching. I hope everyone has had a successful fawning season and that the hard work put into your breeding, nutrition, herd health, and land management programs is paying off.

This President’s Message is a little different for me, because it will be my last.

I informed the PDFA Board of Directors a few months ago that following our PA Eastern Fall Classic Stocker Sale on August 29, I will be stepping down as President of the Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association. The Board will nominate and elect a new President to lead the organization moving forward. I will continue serving on the Board and finish the remaining two years of my current term, and I look forward to supporting our new President and the direction of the Association.

I have had the privilege of serving PDFA in leadership for nearly 11 years as Treasurer, Vice President, and President, including approximately six years as President. It has truly been a humbling experience to have the opportunity to lead an organization that represents an industry and people that have been such an important part of my life.

Throughout those years, my belief in what PDFA represents has only grown stronger. Our mission of preserving, protecting, and promoting Pennsylvania deer farming is about more than any one issue, event, or person.

It is about healthy animals. It is about science and continuing to implement new technologies to improve herd health and combat disease. It is about preserving farms, improving habitat, supporting rural economies, and creating opportunities for the next generation of deer farmers. It is also about advocating for our producers and making sure policymakers understand who we are and what our industry contributes to Pennsylvania. And finally its a bout peeling away some of the regulatory drag that has cut our industry in half over the last decade.

Advancing CWD Science Here in Pennsylvania

Here at home, we continue working with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and advocating for the use of new science and technology in CWD management.

One particularly important opportunity is grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for GEBV testing. Genetic technology and the continued advancement of CWD-related science give our industry tools that simply did not exist years ago.

August 29 – Join Us in State College

Before my time as President comes to an end, I hope to see many of you at the PA Eastern Fall Classic Stocker Sale on August 29 at Toftrees Resort in State College.

We are introducing a new format for this year’s event. We’ll hold our membership meeting, enjoy lunch together, and have the Stocker Sale, giving buyers and sellers an opportunity to come together around some great Pennsylvania bucks.

But just as importantly, it will be a chance to spend some time together. Come talk deer, catch up with fellow producers, participate in your Association, and enjoy the fellowship that has always been one of the best parts of this industry.

Thank You

As I prepare to turn the presidency over to someone new, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported me and PDFA during my years in leadership.

Thank you to our members, Board members, officers, volunteers, sponsors, industry partners, legislators, agency representatives, and everyone who has taken the time to participate and help move this organization forward.

Stepping down as President does not mean I am stepping away from this industry or from the people in it. I intend to continue helping Pennsylvania deer farmers grow their businesses, improve their operations, and create new opportunities wherever I can.

There is still plenty of work ahead for PDFA, and I am excited to see where new leadership takes the organization. I hope our membership will give the next President the same support and opportunity you have given me.

Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer, weaning some big-time fawns, finish growing some giant bucks, and I hope to see you in State College on August 29.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your President.

Respectfully Submitted,

Josh Newton

President

Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association

Thank You for an Outstanding Event

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:14:48 GMT

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who helped make our recent PA Eastern Winter Classic a success.

Events like this only happen because of the support and involvement of many people across our industry. Thank you to the vendors who participated, the sponsors who continue to invest in our community, the speakers who took the time to share their knowledge, and the many members and attendees who showed up to support the event.

We also want to thank our speakers, including Jason Snavely of Drop Tine Wildlife Consulting and Lindsay Kogut from NADR, for taking the time to be with us and contribute to the educational side of the event.

A special thank you goes out to the volunteers and organizers who worked behind the scenes to make the event run smoothly. Your time and effort are greatly appreciated.

The Breeder Sale and Fundraiser remain an important part of supporting PDFA’s mission. Your participation helps fuel our work in advocacy, education, and representation for deer farmers across Pennsylvania.

Most importantly, thank you to the PDFA membership. Your continued involvement and support keep this organization strong.

Our industry is built on healthy animals, rural economic vitality, and science-based Cervid management, and events like this help bring our community together around those shared goals.

We appreciate your support and look forward to continuing this work together.

Respectfully,

Josh Newton

President

Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association

Summer 2026 President's Message - Josh Newton

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:03:20 GMT

Summer is one of the most important seasons in our industry. Across Pennsylvania, fawns are on the ground, bucks are in prime antler growth, and producers are focused on the daily work that drives healthy herds and successful operations. This is the season where genetics, nutrition, and herd health programs all come together in the field.

As an association, PDFA continues to focus on the core principles that define our industry: healthy animals, science-based management, responsible land stewardship, advocacy, and education. Pennsylvania deer farmers play an important role in supporting rural economies while preserving and improving habitat and agricultural land across the Commonwealth.

Modern cervid operations continue to evolve through the use of advancing technologies and data-driven management tools. Implementing science-backed programs for herd health, genetics, and disease mitigation remains critical to the long-term success and sustainability of our farms. The future of our industry depends on continuing to improve while remaining practical and responsible

Over the past several months, PDFA has remained active both in Pennsylvania and nationally. Recently, Glenn Dice and I traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent Pennsylvania deer farmers and participate in discussions impacting the cervid industry. During the trip, we met with representatives from the USDA, Safari Club International (SCI), and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus to discuss issues involving wildlife policy, conservation/hunting, disease management, and the future of private cervid operations.

A highlight of the trip was meeting with Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Congressman Thompson has been a vocal supporter of deer farming and the cervid industry from day one, particularly regarding ongoing efforts surrounding CWD research, management, and policy. We appreciate his continued willingness to engage with producers and advocate for practical, science-based approaches that support agriculture and rural communities.

On the USDA side, updated Program Standards are expected to be released soon for public comment. Throughout this process, we have been vocal in advocating for a more practical, science-based approach—not only regarding CWD, but also issues involving Tuberculosis (TB) and Brucellosis.

PDFA continues to support responsible disease management and herd health programs. However, regulations must be grounded in sound science, real-world field application, and common sense. Producers need a framework that allows them to operate, improve, and thrive, not one that creates unnecessary burdens or traps farms in an endless cycle of regulation without measurable benefit.

As these new standards move through the public comment process, PDFA will continue engaging with industry leaders, policymakers, and regulatory agencies to ensure the voice of Pennsylvania deer farmers is represented clearly and professionally.

We have also continued working closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on issues impacting producers across the state. One exciting development is the continued discussion surrounding grant funding opportunities for GEBV testing. These types of programs represent a major opportunity for producers by helping support the implementation of advanced genetic technologies that can improve herd quality, animal performance, and long-term breeding programs within Pennsylvania.

PDFA also remains engaged on ongoing regulatory discussions, including continued feedback regarding the CCMZ framework and other CWD-related policies. Our goal continues to be straightforward: support practical, science-based disease management while ensuring regulations remain workable for producers in the field.

Education and outreach also remain central to our mission. From the Pennsylvania Farm Show to legislative events in Harrisburg and ongoing conversations with state agencies, PDFA continues working to represent deer farmers as a legitimate, professional, and important part of Pennsylvania agriculture.

As we move through summer and begin preparing for fall, we are excited about several upcoming events. Most notably, we encourage everyone to join us for our PA Eastern Fall Stocker Auction, which will feature a new format designed to continue growing the event and creating additional opportunities for both buyers and sellers.

So as the summer progresses, focus on the fundamentals:

Grow good fawns. Grow giant bucks. Build healthy herds. Improve your land.

And most importantly, stay involved and continue supporting the Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association.

We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing many of you this fall.

Respectfully,

Josh Newton

President

Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association

President’s Message – Strengthening Our Mission

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:13:05 GMT

Since our Fall 2025 update, the Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association has continued advancing our mission and reinforcing the foundation of private deer management across the Commonwealth.

At its core, PDFA is about healthy animals, strong rural economies, responsible land stewardship, and conservation-driven agriculture. Our members contribute not only to Pennsylvania’s agricultural landscape but to the preservation and improvement of open space and wildlife habitat throughout the state.

Modern deer farming is grounded in science. Implementing advancements in genetics, herd health management, and disease mitigation technologies remains the backbone of our breeding operations. We rely on data, research, and evolving tools to combat disease and protect herd integrity. These advancements ensure that our operations remain sustainable, responsible, and forward-thinking.

At the same time, ethical and regulated hunting continues to serve as the ultimate management tool that supports conservation goals, drives rural economic activity, and sustains the very habitat we work hard to protect. Hunting funds conservation, supports land preservation, and closes the loop on responsible wildlife management.

Advocacy & Education in Action

Addressing the Feed Tax Issue

We continue working closely with our lobbyist, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, feed mills, and legislators to address the sales tax issue impacting Cervid Livestock Operations (CLOs). Ensuring fair and consistent tax treatment is essential for producer sustainability, and this remains a priority focus.

Pennsylvania Farm Show

PDFA proudly operated a booth for seven full days at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. With strong volunteer participation and high attendance, the Farm Show remains one of our most powerful platforms. It allows us to engage directly with the public, interact with policymakers and agency officials, and demonstrate that deer farming is a viable and important agricultural sector in Pennsylvania.

CWD & CCMZ Regulatory Progress

We continue to make steady progress on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) regulations. Our focus is ensuring that the CCMZ framework works for producers in the field—supporting responsible disease management without unnecessarily hampering operations. Dialogue with the Department of Agriculture remains ongoing as we advocate for practical, science-based policies. We are optimistic that the “herd plans” being developed for CCMZ producers are at the forefront of what the future may hold.

As we collectively continue our genetic progress in developing herds that are resistant to CWD, regulatory capture should wane, and we can move beyond this stage in the deer farming timeline.

Cornucopia at the Capitol

PDFA participated in the Cornucopia event at the State Capitol alongside other PA Preferred agricultural associations. Jarrid Barry and I had direct conversations with more than 40 attendees including Representatives, Senators, and staff and cabinet members -while sharing venison products and discussing land stewardship, rural economic impact, and deer farming. These face-to-face interactions are invaluable in building understanding and long-term relationships.

Education & Looking Ahead

We are proud to have brought back our Winter/Spring event, including the PA Winter Fall Classic. We secured outstanding speakers from NADR (Lindsey Kogut) and wildlife biologist Jason Snavely of Drop Tine Wildlife Consulting, who will speak on genetics, soil health, and pasture management—topics that directly support healthier animals, improved land management, and stronger operations.

Who We Are

PDFA stands for healthy animals, science-based breeding and disease mitigation, supporting rural and local economies, habitat improvement and land conservation, advocacy and education for producers, and responsible hunting as a conservation tool. Everything we do ties back to these principles.

Support PDFA

Our strength comes from member engagement. Advocacy only works when producers stand together. We encourage continued participation, attendance at events, and ongoing support of the Association. Together, we can continue advancing deer farming and protecting the future of our industry in Pennsylvania.

Respectfully,

Josh Newton

President

Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association

Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association: Updates and Moving Forward

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 17:19:25 GMT

Greetings, PDFA Members!

The Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association (PDFA) has undergone significant changes over the past few months, and I’m excited to share the latest developments. Our Board of Directors experienced several vacancies due to resignations, which have been thoroughly addressed. We’ve ushered in a nearly entirely new leadership team to guide us through 2025. I’m honored to have been elected as your president, with Jarrid Barry serving as vice president, Lloyd Stoltzfus as secretary, and Jason Stefanowicz continuing as treasurer. “PDFA as the largest and longest standing cervid association in the Commonwealth will always represent its members in a professional manner,” I assure you.

The new Board of Directors has a substantial workload ahead, but with your support, we’re prepared to meet the challenge. Having previously served as president, I understand the steps needed to restore structure to the board and advocate effectively for PDFA members. Just last week, we held an intensive four-hour board meeting that extended into the early morning hours. Despite the length, it was highly productive. I appointed, and the board confirmed, several new directors to fill vacant positions: Bruce Snyder, Glenn Dice, John Ervin Stoltzfus, and Sammy King.

Additionally, “We have established a series of committees,” I’m pleased to report. We’ve appointed a chairman and co-chair for each and assigned board members to ensure focused efforts. These committees will operate transparently, providing regular updates to the board, which will keep you, our members, informed about the work being done on your behalf. Our mission remains clear: “Preserve, Protect, and Promote deer farming and private deer management, not only in Pennsylvania but also nationally.”

We want to hear from you—what are your priorities?

With nearly three decades in the cervid industry since the late 1990s, I bring a broad perspective on private deer management in Pennsylvania. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) continues to be our most pressing challenge, impacting our businesses daily. CWD is unique because it carries both health and regulatory implications. I often get asked, “Why am I always focused on CWD?” The answer is straightforward: unlike other diseases, such as pneumonia or EHD, CWD can lead to farm lockdowns, shutdowns, or quarantines. This dual nature—animal health and regulatory oversight—makes it a critical focus. Fortunately, we now have more tools than ever to combat CWD, including enhanced biosecurity measures, improved live testing, greater awareness and education, and advanced genomic analysis like GEBV technology.

In recent years, we’ve been actively educating legislators about our role in managing CWD, both within our farms and in its broader impact on wild deer populations. My goal is to build strong relationships with researchers, universities, wildlife agencies, regulators, policymakers, and conservation groups to minimize CWD’s impact on our industry and the whitetail deer population for decades to come. I grow increasingly confident that our industry will set a standard for others to follow.

We are actively engaging with these stakeholders, strategically aligning efforts to build a coalition of knowledgeable, well-intentioned individuals committed to reducing CWD’s impact to a minimum. “We will get there,” I assure you. It’s a humbling process that tests our patience, but it’s a challenge we must face head-on.

This newsletter is both a platform to share the board’s achievements and a call to action. “We need your help and support!” Your involvement is vital—not just for your operation but for your neighbors and fellow deer farmers across Pennsylvania.

In the following pages, you’ll find details on our ongoing initiatives:

• Legislative and Government Affairs Update – Milliron-Goodman

• Legislative and Government Affairs Update – Milliron-Goodman

• Farm Tour Highlights: Dr. Seabury Addresses PA Legislators

• PDFA Heads to Washington, D.C.

• New Gun Raffle

• PDFA Fall Sale Announcement

Key Takeaways

• New Leadership Team: The PDFA welcomes a dynamic leadership team for 2025, with myself as president, Jarrid Barry as vice president, Lloyd Stoltzfus as secretary, and Jason Stefanowicz as treasurer, all dedicated to professional representation.

• Rebuilding Structure: The board is establishing transparent committees to tackle critical tasks and keep members informed, with a focus on “Preserve, Protect, and Promote deer farming.”

• CWD Focus: Chronic Wasting Disease remains our top priority due to its health and regulatory impacts, but new tools like biosecurity, live testing, and genomic analysis are empowering us to manage it effectively.

• Member Engagement: Your participation is essential—share your priorities, get involved, and help strengthen the deer farming community in Pennsylvania and beyond.

We look forward to your continued support as we work together to advance our industry.

All The Best – Josh Newton, President PDFA

PDFA Well Represented in Washington, D.C.

Mon, 26 May 2025 20:02:00 GMT

It’s springtime again, and we’re all readying for fawns. But spring also means it’s time for the Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association (PDFA) to prepare for our annual advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., to push for policies that advance the sustainability of the cervid industry. Pennsylvania is home to more cervid farmers than any other state in the nation. The PDFA has embraced this responsibility, serving as a leading voice in advocating for sound cervid industry policies in the Commonwealth and nationwide. “Our continued interactions developing relationships federally play a key role in the preservation of the cervid industry,” said Glenn Dice Understanding this importance, the PDFA has funded trips to the North American Deer Farmers Association (NADEFA) Fly-In in Washington, D.C., for over a decade, and these trips remain critical to our industry’s future.

In years past, I’ve written this legislative trip update to share what we did in Washington, D.C. This year, I’m changing things up a bit to provide more detail about the issues we’re advocating for and why they matter to us.

In April 2025, PDFA President Josh Newton and Past President Glenn Dice attended the four-day NADEFA Washington, D.C., Fly-In. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is always a hot topic in our meetings, but we also take the opportunity to educate policy groups, congressional staff, and members of Congress about what our industry does and the impact we have on our local, state, and national communities.

Our two main objectives this year were maintaining level funding for the national Cervid Health Program and pushing for seed-level funding for the CWD Research and Management Act. Both programs can provide funding to combat CWD, but the CWD Research and Management Act addresses limitations in the Cervid Health Program, which I’ll explain later in this article. Understanding these two priorities helps frame our meeting agenda.

As in previous years, Monday’s agenda included meetings with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). The USDA oversees the national Cervid Health Program, which sets standards for disease surveillance and movement requirements that states must follow to enable interstate commerce in the cervid industry. “The Cervid Health Program is currently funded at $17.5 million annually, split between stakeholder, conservation, and tribal nation affiliates,” a USDA representative noted. These funds support CWD indemnity initiatives, research projects, educational outreach, diagnostic tool development, surveillance, and state grants. In Pennsylvania, you may be familiar with grants supporting animal testing for CWD Genomic Estimated Breeding Values (GEBV), GEBV stock improvement, and better animal identification projects. By engaging with the USDA, we ensure our industry has a voice in shaping these regulations. If we don’t show up, the USDA mainly hears from conservation groups that may oppose our industry or push for tougher rules.

This year, it’s more critical than ever to be seen and heard. Many federal employees have taken the administration’s buyout offer, leading to staff shortages that will limit what the USDA can tackle. “USDA shared that staff shortages are one of their greatest concerns for all agriculture sectors this coming year,” Josh Newton reported. Thanks to our years of raising concerns about CWD’s impact on our industry, the USDA assured us that CWD remains a top priority. I tell my wife all the time that her wish list is a top concern for me. That doesn’t mean I always get everything done, but it means we’re both aware and working together to address it. Similarly, “Every single person which places a call to their elected members has an impact,” Newton stressed. If you’re unsure about the issues, don’t hesitate to call PDFA leadership—we’re here to help you feel confident before reaching out to your representatives.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) represents a broad community of sportsmen and women, including those involved in recreational, non-hunting activities. Finding common ground with the CSF is vital, as the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus is the largest bipartisan caucus on Capitol Hill. The farmed cervid industry, CSF, and other conservation-based non-governmental organizations worked together to pass the CWD Research and Management Act into law in 2022. Authorized for up to $70 million, this act has yet to receive congressional funding. When funded, the USDA would distribute these dollars to support efforts to combat CWD.

Let’s dive into the differences between the Cervid Health Program and the CWD Research and Management Act. First, both fund CWD research, but private companies can’t access grants through the Cervid Health Program. “Can the government by itself solve all our disease-related concerns? Should the government be expected to provide all scientific breakthroughs?” asked Glenn Dice. “If the private sector has a new approach of how to identify or combat CWD, why would we not want to foster those potential disease-solving discoveries?” Second, CWD is a slow-progressing disease, and research can take years. The Cervid Health Program provides funding for one year, with a possible one-year extension, which may not be enough for long-term projects. Third, the largest grant from the Cervid Health Program is $250,000, but some multi-year CWD research projects exceed this limit. The CWD Research and Management Act addresses all three issues, offering more flexible funding to accelerate solutions. I’m not knocking the Cervid Health Program—it’s valuable—but “If we can possibly accelerate discoveries which could limit CWD’s impact in either the farmed deer or wild deer communities, we should absolutely pursue them,” Dice concluded.

The PDFA’s continued funding of these trips to the NADEFA Fly-In is critical. Without them, we risk losing our voice in Washington, D.C., where decisions affecting our industry’s future are made. Your support ensures we can keep showing up, building relationships, and advocating for policies that protect and advance the cervid industry.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Key Takeaways

•Advocacy is Essential: The PDFA’s participation in the NADEFA Fly-In ensures the cervid industry’s voice shapes federal policies, and funding these trips is critical to maintaining that presence.

•CWD Focus: The PDFA is advocating for sustained Cervid Health Program funding and seed funding for the CWD Research and Management Act to address gaps in combating CWD.

•Collaboration Builds Strength: Partnerships with groups like the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation bolster bipartisan support for cervid industry initiatives.

•Your Voice Matters: Every call to elected officials amplifies our impact, and PDFA leadership is ready to support members in understanding the issues.

Respectfully,

Glenn Dice & Josh Newton

Advocating for Science: Rocky Ridge and PDFA Host Dr. Seabury for Legislative Farm Tour

Thu, 01 May 2025 19:59:36 GMT

“The enthusiasm and positivity that Dr. Seabury’s presentation provided for both the farmers in attendance and the legislators cannot be overstated. It was a great day.”

On May 1st, 2025, the PDFA held a spring legislative farm tour. The tour was hosted by Rocky Ridge Whitetails, owned and operated by John Ervin Stoltzfus and family, in Narvon, PA. The invite list included the Pennsylvania House Agricultural & Rural Affairs Committee, our lobbying team from Milliron & Goodman, PDFA board members, and our special guest speaker, Dr. Christopher Seabury. The goal of the event, to provide continued education and outreach on CWD technology to our Pennsylvania Legislators.

Dr. Seabury presented directly to over a dozen of our Pennsylvania legislators and staff during the tour.
He described the science and his research regarding genetic resistance in whitetail deer and the tools that it is providing for our industry, and to the field of CWD research. We discussed some of the benefits and potential long-term solutions that this technology can provide for industry and to the regulatory decision-making process into the future.

The day was an enormous success and very well received by all in attendance. To interact directly with our legislators is an extremely important part of the advocacy of the PDFA.
The enthusiasm and positivity that Dr. Seabury’s presentation provided for both the farmers in attendance, and the legislators, cannot be overstated, it was a great day. I want to thank our host, Rocky Ridge Whitetails, for graciously opening their beautiful facilities for this tour, to our PDFA & Milliron Team for organizing the tour, and to Dr. Seabury for taking the time to visit with us in Pennsylvania for a day of CWD education.