DELMARVA — Delaware wildlife officials confirmed the state’s first-ever case of Chronic Wasting Disease in a wild white-tailed deer. DNREC announced the positive test results on April 21 after confirmation by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory. The infected deer was harvested during routine surveillance testing in Sussex County. A second deer showed presumptive positive results and is awaiting final confirmation.
Since 2003, DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife has tested 12,938 samples. These 2 positive cases came from over 600 samples collected statewide during the 2025-2026 hunting season. Chronic Wasting Disease is a deadly condition affecting the brain and nervous system of deer, elk, and moose, caused by infectious prions. No treatments or vaccines currently exist.
Markets
Beef cattle prices posted strong gains Tuesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. June live cattle rose $4.55 to $253.50 per hundredweight. August contracts gained $3.72 to settle at $249.10. Feeder cattle also climbed, with May contracts up $4.27 to $371.72.
Soybean planting nationwide reached 23% complete, the fastest seasonal pace ever recorded.
Forecast
Mostly cloudy skies continue this evening with temperatures near 61°. Wednesday brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms with highs around 61°.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, April 28, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
