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DEER INDUSTRY NEWSISSN 1176-0753

Also in this issue:

Issue 51 • Dec 2011/Jan 2012 • Official magazine of Deer Industry New Zealand and the NZDFA

Deer Industry News wishes all readers a Happy Christmas

and a Prosperous New Year

• MeetingambitiousgoalsonSouthlandFocusFarm• Understandinglactationandenergydemands• SuperspringonNorthCanterburyFocusFarms• Don’toverlookfacialeczemarisk• Venisonmarkets:KeepinganeyeonfinancialconditionsinEurope• ProductivityImprovementProgrammesteamingahead• Recommendationsforcontrollingparasites• LatestDEERSelectrankings

Issue No 51 • December 2011/January 2012 3

Call to venison producers: Take the long-term viewI appreciate being asked to write the editorial for the December Deer Industry News. This perspective on the industry is from my own experiences since 1987. These are my personal views and not those of any entities I am currently or have formerly been involved with. I would like you to think about some of the things that I believe have been significant over our short and turbulent history.

Our industry evolved out of the feral deer business that peaked in the early 1970s. Venison was packed and sold in vastly different forms from today. Hessian sacks were later replaced with plastic bags and cardboard boxes. Bits of fern and native trees were usually included. Things have come a long way since those early days. This era was a time full of wonderful characters and legendary stories.

While this was happening a number of pioneers were establishing deer farming. Behind the scenes, methodologies and slaughter and processing protocols for farmed deer were being developed. This hard work, dedication and determination led to the development of the industry we now have.

Some things to think aboutThe introduction of the Cervena® programme has been one of the most significant events the industry has experienced. I can hear you all now starting to turn off and wonder why I could hold such a view. It is very simple. That single programme focused the entire industry on developing quality systems for all sectors to support the

product in the market. These programmes were ground breaking, innovative and far sighted. Despite many strong and varied opinions, all sectors of our industry were able to come together, put commercial and personal interests aside and work for the common good. The systems developed have stood the test of time and remain relevant today. There is no doubt in my mind that the quality of New Zealand venison wherever it is sold improved markedly after the introduction of the Cervena programme.

We have seen huge market changes and price fluctuations, caused by world events, disease, environmental disasters, market conditions and some self inflicted – not much different from our other primary industries. For many reasons we have seen deer numbers fall dramatically. The upside to this herd reduction has been a shortage of supply, which has helped keep prices up over recent years. If we look back at all our primary industries, similar price patterns exist. This is the nature of these businesses.

I think that improvement of carcass quality has been slow. When we look at the development of velvet over the same period, carcass conformation is a long way behind.

Why is this? The nub of this problem is also a fundamental issue in our industry. For a large part of our history, the venison business has been dominated by procurement battles. This situation, which I am sure most farmers believe to be healthy for their pockets, delivers short-term gain to farmers but inhibits long-term development and potentially the long-term viability of the industry.

Procurement pressures mean there is little or no penalty for poor quality carcasses. Paying the same money for “all weights and grades” perpetuates mediocrity, provides no incentive for improvement and does nothing for our product in the market. Therefore the incentive for many farmers is to squeeze the last cent out of each deal rather than working on producing the very best carcass they can.

Despite this we have examples of deer farmers who have

editorial

Deer Industry News is published by Deer Industry New Zealand six times a year in February, April, June, August, October and December. It is circulated to all known deer farmers, processors, exporters and others with an interest in the deer industry. The opinions expressed in Deer Industry News do not necessarily reflect the views of Deer Industry New Zealand or the NZ Deer Farmers’ Association.Circulation enquiries: Deer Industry New Zealand, PO Box 10-702, Wellington, Ph 04 471 6114, Fax 04 472 5549, Email [email protected] and advertising enquiries: Words & Pictures, PO Box 27-221, Wellington, Ph 04 384 4688, Fax 04 384 4667, Email [email protected]

Cover: NAIT is seeking your views on funding scheme costs but you’ll have to be quick if you haven’t had your say yet. See page 17. Photo courtesy of NAIT Limited

ContentsEditorial: Venison producers encouraged to think long term ........................................... 3DINZ news: Annual export returns .................................................................................... 4On farm:

Making progress – getting calves to slaughter pre-Christmas ..................................... 6Understanding lactation and energy demands ............................................................. 8North Canterbury Focus farm report: 17 November .................................................... 12

General news:Deer owners’ views sought on funding NAIT scheme costs ......................................... 17Sire sale calendar .......................................................................................................... 20Coming events .............................................................................................................. 23Correspondence: Recognition of Deer Improvement’s contribution ............................ 26Branch Chairmen’s meeting: Productivity Programme update; Conference 2012;Focus Farms; Ticks; NAIT presentation; EID cost benefit study ..................................... 30Andrew Fraser awarded Vietnam trip .......................................................................... 37Integrated grazing gone too far? ................................................................................. 38Morpheus “monster” ..................................................................................................... 39

Animal health:Animal health roundup: Waikato/King Country .......................................................... 18

Industry news:Venison rocks on NY prime time .................................................................................. 21Global financial crisis 2.0?; Venison promotion activities ............................................ 28

Market report: Velvet and Venison ....................................................................................................... 22

Research:Parasite control: Understanding the enemy ................................................................ 40Recommendations for controlling worms in young deer ............................................ 42JML report: Control, management principles and genetics ......................................... 43DEERSelect sire summaries: 1 December ..................................................................... 45

continued on page 4

2 & 3 YR SALE STAGS ALONG WITHRISING R1YR & R2YR DAUGHTERS FROM:

Joe Crowley 027 472 7436, 07 8233309 Todd Crowley 021 160 4929Email: [email protected] www.towerfarms.co.nz

DIScOMbE @ 5 YRS550 I.O.A.

LANcASTER @ 5 YRS517 I.O.A.

IDEAL NEIL @ 7 YRSNorth Island Velvet Champ

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

SHOcK’NOR7.5kgs SA2 @ 5 Yrs

1st N.I.V.C. Maiden Section 2009

HOLY OAK @ 5 YRS575 I.O.A.

zIDARN @ 9 YRS653 I.O.A. @ 6 yrs

23RD ANNUAL STAG SALE SUNDAY 8TH JANUARY 2012 AT 12.30PM

DaveSmith.

Deer Industry News44

news

instead taken a long-term view and worked on the quality of their product. The results are stunning. These people produce deer that are like “peas in a pod”. The grades are consistent, the average weights are good and they produce very few poor carcasses. These are the people who will be long-term winners because their product is destined for premium markets.

The real fault here lies with the exporters who perpetuate this practice. This method of payment has removed the incentive to constantly improve and has stymied the development of good carcass production. In our industry as in any endeavour, if you are not improving, you are going backwards.

We have a wonderful product and a lot to be proud of. We sell our product into a very competitive environment where events that determine our returns are often beyond our control. There will be ups and downs in the years to come whatever business we are in.

We need to continue to work at improving the quality of our systems. This means producing better and more consistent carcasses, improving our processing, continuously improving our products, reducing costs (particularly compliance costs) without compromising quality. A key ingredient in this quest will be information, knowing what your customer wants and working closely with them to get the best results.

We do have a bright future but the way we do business needs to change.

Focusing on the last dollar in each deal may look like the best way forward but history tells us that business model is flawed and all we will get is mediocrity and dissatisfaction in the long term.

I hope you all have a great festive season and prosperous years ahead.

Best regards

■ Dave Smith, Duncan and Company, Chairman, Venison Processors Technical Committee

Annual export returnsTotal deer industry exports for the year ending September 2011 were valued at NZ$278 million (FOB). Venison accounted for 77% of the value, velvet 9%, leather and hides 8% and co-products 6% (see Figure 1). Venison export volumes for the year ending September 2011 were down 5% on the previous year. The total value held steady at NZ$211 million FOB (see Table 1).

Table 1: Annual summary of deer industry exports year ending September

Volume

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 (p) Change

Venison (mt) 21,158 20,935 16,162 15,685 14,848 -5%

Co-products (mt) 3,226 3,010 2,913 3,504 4,114 17%

Velvet (mt) 241 200 209 170 181 6%

Leather (000m2) 208 206 249 318 308 -3%

Hides (000) 331 361 229 144 161 12%

Live exports (number) 144 12 0 – –

Value NZ$, FOB Million

Venison $221.1 $301.4 $273.4 $210.6 $210.5 0%

Co-products $12.6 $13.7 $12.1 $13.8 $17.7 28%

Velvet $29.1 $26.6 $29.7 $31.0 $25.5 -18%

Leather $10.2 $11.5 $18.3 $19.3 $19.9 3%

Hides $7.8 $8.7 $7.6 $3.4 $3.9 14%

Live exports $1.0 $0.0 $0.0 – –

Total $281.8 $361.9 $341.1 $278.2 $277.6 0%

Share of Revenue

Venison 78% 83% 80% 76% 76%

Co-products 4% 4% 4% 5% 6%

Velvet 10% 7% 9% 11% 9%

Leather 4% 3% 5% 7% 7%

Hides 3% 2% 2% 1% 1%

Live exports 0% 0% 0% – –

100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Figure1:Valueofexportproducts2011

Value of Export Products 2011

Velvet9%

Venison77%

Co-Products

6%

Leather7%

Hides1%

Farmerstakingthelong-termviewproducecarcassesthatarelike“peasinapod”.


on farm

Making progress – getting calves to slaughter pre-Christmas

❚ by Claire Grant

It’s been an intensive yet profitable period of development for David Nind and his family as the establishment phase of their farming operation in western Southland nears completion.

The Ninds have been developing a deer unit on their two farms in the Five Rivers Valley since 2008, as well as running a 40-hectare lease deer finishing block at Dipton.

Strongly goal-orientated, they have set the objective of banking $30,000/week from their integrated livestock properties. Over the last financial year, they averaged a very successful $34,000/week, and grossed $1.56 million.

They had aimed to also hold costs to a maximum of $10,000/week and that was comfortably under at just over $9000.

The deer unit averaged a deer carcass weight of 52kg, achieving an enterprise EBIT of $47/su last year.

Underpinning that achievement is a raft of well-thought through strategies to provide flexibility and, very importantly, for keeping deer well fed and healthy. Much of this hinges around aiming for high grass cover to keep feeding up.

“It’s when stock are under pressure that we get into trouble – stress, disease and poor performance,” Nind emphasised.

Farmers attending the “Making the DIFFerence” Deer Industry Focus Farm October field day on the Ninds’ East Dome Station heard how successfully they handled health and animal management over the past year to achieve their goals. Facilitator Alistair Gibson talked in particular about feed management practices and budgets.

This is the Ninds’ second Focus Farm field day; the main change since their field day last year has been increased profitability.

Nind puts this down to an increased stocking rate – up 1,700 units overall. This has included boosting weaner numbers, as well as higher quality selection, young grasses now kicking in and grazing dairy cows. One of the biggest improvements has been a drop in weaner death rates, something he knows those attending the field day will be interested to monitor.

“Everything we have been working on over the past few years has come together. We now have 3,000 sheep stock units after starting with none and we have increased our venison throughput.”

In particular, Nind had aimed to improve the feeding capacity of the farm over a five-year period and has been looking closely at the success and costs of winter crops including fodder beet and swedes. This created much interest.

He’s hoping improved feeding will continue to produce heavier progeny.

The first slaughter was prior to December as they reached goal weight – more than half of the stags are finished by the end of November. The target is 52–55 kg on the hook (92kg liveweight), but Nind would like to push that up. The biggest challenge is consistency, growing out young stags as long as possible without being compromised by climate. The essential message from this field day was to do what it takes to grow good pasture.

Nind says he’s not scared about spending money to move things along, particularly investing in urea.

He advocates not sitting back and waiting, but being active about getting grass growing well to make the most of spring. He makes sure pasture is not hammered earlier and if necessary holds stock back on silage for a couple of weeks until it comes away. And he makes good use of nitrogen.

Good feed, combined with good stock and grazing management and a good selection policy that produces quality genetics make a big difference.

The field day was also a good opportunity for Nind to review the changes he’d made during the development phase and to get some feedback on where to next. He was particularly pleased to see new faces at the field day and talk to people interested in the improvements he’s made.

While he has made very good progress on what is a moderate stocking rate, Nind believes there’s still potential for refinement in the operation. He is aiming to build the herd to 1,500 hinds over the next three years and to increase ewe numbers at the same time. He’s also planning to use his own replacements and buy in less, thereby reducing risk.

During the past year he has also taken on son Matt and his partner Rachel, and David and Pam have built a new house.

Stock managementThe 13,000 stock unit farming operation incorporates sheep, beef, deer and winter dairy grazing. He plans to redevelop his beef policy after selling his breeding cows and intends to build up an Angus herd to 80 cows.

DavidNind:Boostedstockingrateandfeedingcapacityofpropertywithgoodresults.


on farm

The Ninds use traditional set stocking; the stocking rate is 13.5 su/ha, which has risen slightly to make use of the new grass that has come on stream.

The property has increased hind numbers, currently running 900 red hinds. The hinds are set-stocked at Labour weekend.

Wapiti have been taken out of the programme for now. Nind isn’t against farming wapiti, but found retaining them as terminal sires added complexity in managing performance. His system has benefitted from simplifying deer strains managed to quality eastern reds for now, with increased selection pressure for replacements. This will be reviewed once he feels he has everything right.

Over the past year the Ninds bought in 1,640 weaners and lost only 20 during the first week or to misadventure – a good result given the numbers and one that could be improved on. Nind maintains a good standard for selection, generally rejecting around 10 percent. The purchases are made based on known history and ongoing good relationships with the sellers.

Around 60 percent of the purchased young stock are stags – they are run as a mixed-sex mob before sorting. Purchased weaners are kept in purchase groups, drenched on arrival in early March and sorted at the April drench when they are 70kg and above.

Of the farm’s own hinds, 75 are kept as replacements, as are a few top spikers.

Mixed-aged hinds are run together until 15 March, when weaning is carried out. Weaning has been brought forward from later in March.

Pregnancy scanning is carried out in June to identify and remove dries, which last year were only 5–7 percent (better than the industry average).

Sheep multiples are also identified by scanning, to complement the deer unit management of pasture quality and to maximise feed management. Lamb triplets are managed separately, with mobs of singles grown out on the development unit.

The grazing arrangement the Ninds have developed puts pressure on during a dry season, but they have a drought strategy for early finishing and dropping trading stock if need be.

Nind is looking at a tougher country option for hinds, but is conscious of getting the deer unit running properly and making money first. It’s about profitability; running unshepherded sheep in the hill country makes more economic sense for now.

He is pleased with his animal health programme, with low losses over the last year. A Cydectin® injection is used for parasite control of hinds and weaners in March, followed by oral drenching. Optigrow data is obtained at the processing plant after the first weaners are slaughtered, to check for mineral status; the programme is then adjusted if needed.

Feed managementLast year the Ninds renewed 60ha of grass with a variety of species, mostly AR3 based, after renewing 92 hectares the previous year and 90 hectares initially. Already they have noticed a large difference in finishing on “high-powered” grasses.

“This has given us the confidence to accelerate development,” David Nind said.

Integrating livestock classes across the farm helps good grass management – the cattle mob is put to good use to ensure quality pasture, particularly in a high-growth season.

Grass cover is established in advance, using nitrogen strategically to get a “kick-start” and produce high covers. Nind applies nitrogen earlier in spring than many farmers, so it is available as soon as soil temperatures rise.

Nitrogen is also applied in autumn to manage the cattle and dairy cow operation, to help keep covers up as weaners coming in and to push the ewes through, using an NPK mix.

Nind is conscious of soil types and fertiliser needs and adjusts accordingly. Soil testing is part of his management strategy.

Winter crops are generally sown into a paddock of older pasture for a year, then new grass is sown into the area, direct drilling after a clean-up and a dressing of Ballance core fertiliser and urea.

Weaners are fed on swede and baleage for a couple of months over winter, with high-quality grass saved and managed to allow it to come away in spring. The top stags are sorted, weighed and wintered on grass.

Nind is reviewing the success of last winter’s fodder beet, which carried a lot of stock over a small area and has provided one option for deer wintering.

Deer were also given swedes, which grew well. The fodder beet cost $2000/ha to establish, producing 25 tonnes/ha, versus $1200/ha for swedes.

Double crops of swede and kale gave good results this year. Nind likes kale because the stock like it – the cattle gobble it up, yet he hasn’t seen nitrate issues in the cattle with the crop. Winter crops were also used to good effect to put good condition on the 200 grazing dairy cows, which was profitable.

The Ninds are starting to see the value in their lucerne crop as part of a risk management strategy, providing some feed insurance and flexibility.

Straw is used as a feed filler for cattle, costing $10,000 to buy in.

The operation has built-in capability to grow whole-crop barley which is sold for silage, despite the risk of a dry November–January period.

A challengeFarmers whose animals are able to achieve 76kg at weaning are traditionally seeing 650g/day growth. Most New Zealand deer are doing only 400 g/day.

So what is being done differently?A 518g/day growth target is not a big stretch if farmers achieved high body condition in the hinds and at the same time advanced the calving date to start a little earlier. This starts in spring with green grass and good pasture management.

The Ninds have taken up the challenge and encourage

others to follow their lead.


on farm

Understanding lactation and energy demands ❚ by Mike Bradstock

The key to major gains in herd performance and profitability is good lactation management in hinds with calves at foot. This was the central message David Stevens of AgResearch conveyed at the North Canterbury Focus Farm event on 17 November.

“Calf growth during lactation drives the profitability of a venison production system and a high energy intake is the key to success,” he said.

“The red deer hind is very flexible in terms of her milk production and it is important to provide the opportunity to maximise her potential. In response to the demand of a large or vigorous calf, or one with the right genes for rapid growth, she can increase her basic milk production by 30 percent. But this depends crucially on good nutrition, meaning an increase in energy intake by 6–8 mega joules of metabolisable energy (MJME) per day.”

Energy content crucialHigh-energy forage is the key, with an intake of around 43 MJME/day, while protein intake is less important, Stevens said: the hind can still provide good lactation on feed with just 12 percent protein. “She can increase her feed intake

as feed quality declines, but her ability to compensate for lower quality is limited. Once the energy content of forage is below about 10 MJME/kg, the hind can no longer compensate and she will start to lose condition.”

At peak lactation, a red deer hind of about 110kg liveweight rearing a red calf will produce up to 2.8 litres per day, but this would rise to about 3.6 litres if she was rearing an F1 wapiti x calf. It is also notable that when rearing a red deer calf the hind will produce more milk if the calf is male. The same response is not seen, however, with wapiti x calves, meaning either that these calves of both sexes are growing at the same rate, or the hind has run out of ability to produce any more milk. By weaning in early March she will still be producing about 1.5 litres per day.

Left unweaned, in both cases the hind will not finish

DavidStevenspresentingtofarmersduringtheFocusFarmday.

Continued on page 10


on farm

lactation until early July, and this has implications for conception date. Generally on-farm data show that late weaning will delay conception date by about 10 days – more if nutrition is low and less if it is high (range 0–20 days).

There was some discussion around this point and the general view was that while continued lactation provided a short-term gain, it delayed conception and compromised the following year’s production by leading to late-born calves in a dry environment, with feed quantity running out as summer advanced. A 20-day-later conception could translate into a 12-day-later calving, thus reducing the next year’s weaning weight by 6kg (12 x 500g/d in early lactation).

Lactating hinds should be provided a grazing regime that provides a pasture cover of 1800+ kg DM/ha to avoid loss of condition. Forage intake of the calf depends directly on feed quality. The improvement in intake on better-quality pasture is directly transferred from hind to calf, meaning that the benefit of better pasture is realised by the calf rather than by the hind.

Farmers should allow 4–5kg DM/hind of high-quality feed for hinds with red calves at foot, and 5–6.5kg for hinds with wapiti calves, Stevens said. These figures covered the needs of both animals. “Generally over time the intake transfers from the hind to the calf, so the feed requirement of the pair during lactation is quite constant.”

Calf’s forage intake affects lactation demandThe calf’s lactation demand also interacts with its forage intake, so feeding systems need to promote forage intake by the calf as well as its mother. Good feed management will help more rapid recovery of condition in the hind under a good feeding regime, although she may not be able to compensate with some lower quality forages, especially if the amount on offer declines.

The key is to incorporate highly palatable species such as forage herbs in late lactation (February) so calves will increase their intake and show better growth rates. Active foraging also helps the calf to develop good rumen function, and this will produce further dividends by minimising setbacks after weaning. Both hind and calf should be introduced to new feeds before weaning so that calves become adapted and will continue to make the most of them.

Stevens presented 2003 Invermay data demonstrating that in February the daily forage intake on pasture was about 5kg for a hind and 1kg for her calf. The corresponding daily liveweight gains were 400g for the calf and only 50g for the hind.

“The hind firstly increases her intake if and when she can to meet lactation demands; then if the feed supply and quality are inadequate she starts to use her body condition. Once she runs out of condition, then the calf growth rate starts to decline. Usually this coincides with the period from mid-January onwards; this is the “trigger point”. At this time you need to look critically at hind condition, calf liveweight, feed quantity and feed quality to help make a decision about what might happen next and whether you want to intervene.”

Calf liveweight gain may diminish if forage quality is under

10 MJME/kg DM. Below this level the weight gain per day will be 100g less for every 1 MJME loss of feed quality. Conversely, for every 1 MJME/kg DM improvement in feed quality, there should be about a 100g/d better weight gain. “These are further factors to take into account at the mid-January trigger point.”

Pre-rut weaning recommended on balanceThe timing of weaning is always an important decision, and may depend on striking a balance between calf liveweight and the condition of the hind as the next rut approaches. Generally Stevens recommends pre-rut weaning, because the farmer then has control of all the factors and, on balance, this provides the best overall outcome in terms of both short and long-term aims.

It also requires looking carefully at the availability and quality of autumn feed. Where high-quality pasture is available to support weaner growth, pre-rut weaning and controlled feeding of calves is recommended. If high-quality pasture is not available, better calf performance may be obtained from post-rut weaning. However, this could adversely affect the condition of hinds during the rut, resulting result in later calving and possibly lower conception rates.

But the signs are there earlier, he said. “By mid January you should already be able to tell all you need to know from the condition of the hind, the weight of the calf, and the quality and quantity of feed available. Have a really good, thorough look around the farm at this time. You can then use some of the numbers already presented to put a value on the feed you might have to supply, or the interventions you may need to make in order to maintain feed quality, rather than just seeing the extra feed as a cost. By the time of actual weaning it’s too late to make any difference to the season’s outcome.”

Table 1: Target weaning weights. (Farmers should regard these figures as immediate potential targets all across the industry. Often they will exceed these if they get it right.)

Adjusted weaning weights (to 1 March) NZ red Eastern European Wapiti XMales (kg) 60 65 70Females (kg) 55 60 67

Stevens added that genetics played an important role in performance of hind and calf throughout the season of rapid growth: “There are significant gains to be made through the genetics of liveweight gain during lactation.

“Other issues to improve weaning performance include animal health (especially parasites, vaccination, and foot care), pre-winter feeding, trade-offs in farming system and calf survival. These will be the subject of future presentations in our ‘Improving Weaning Performance’ series that we are delivering to Focus Farms throughout New Zealand.”

There was extensive discussion and a number of questions from the floor. It was agreed that a particularly fat hind was no more likely to have a stillbirth and that when drafting weaners there could be a benefit in leaving light animals with the hinds because “good” mothers would sometimes take over another calf after drafting. There was also discussion of weaning poor calves early in order to identify the poor or late mothers.

Continued from page 8


on farm

North Canterbury Focus farm report: 17 November

❚ Article and photos by Mike Bradstock

Sam and Mark Zino’s Flaxmere and Kanuka Downs properties are vividly illustrating the benefits of meeting spring pasture coverage targets and advance planning of feed budgets.

MixedfarmoperationatKanuka Downs.


on farm

At the North Canterbury Focus Farm day on 17 November, the main subjects were optimising weaning weights, setting up for 95% conception rates in yearlings and planning feed budgets. Gerard Hickey of Firstlight also presented a brief market

update and a summary of his company’s modus operandi.

About 40 people attended the event, which was chaired by agricultural consultant Wayne Allan and held in fine though windy weather. The event was sponsored by DEEResearch, DINZ, AgResearch, NZDFA, plus Firstlight and Mountain River, and concluded with a barbecue provided by Mountain River and refreshments courtesy of the Canterbury Branch of NZDFA.

Spring pasture cover – grass grows grassThe most important lesson from the day was that the Zinos demonstrated the real benefits that could be achieved by focusing on meeting pasture cover targets in spring, Wayne Allan told Deer Industry News. Flaxmere had grown 460 kgDM/ha, 14% above budget, which he said could be attributed primarily to seasonal variations. But the larger increase at Kanuka Downs, at 60% above budget, was the result of sound management as well as the good season. “Keeping the hinds on feed crops and self-fed silage for most of the winter has enabled the Zinos to come into spring with good pasture coverage. It sounds like a cliché but ‘it takes grass to grow grass’. The benefits of existing green coverage compound strongly in spring as the season picks up again, but if you come out of winter with the grass eaten right down it takes much longer to get going and there is a corresponding production loss.”xxxx

This year, very good spring conditions had helped, and if they had been forced to move from winter feed to pasture any earlier there would have been a feed shortage, said Sam Zino. “We have achieved 50% more kill compared with the same time last year and weights were 2.7kg up a month earlier than at the same time last year.” With replacement deer, growth rates over August and September had been below target, but there had been some compensation in spring including more than double the projected rate in early November at 330g/d. Future prospects were good.

Hedge your betsDavid Stevens of AgResearch reminded farmers to hedge their bets by being well prepared to counter the risk of a declining feed supply in spring, especially in case September turned out to be colder than usual and held up the advance of the new season. “If the spring is poor, you need to be ready to compensate with supplemental feed such as grain, or else change your management strategy to allow for no weight gain at this time. A lack of weight gain at this time need not be a big problem, provided you are well prepared in advance.” He also remarked that a high-yielding quality fodder crop provided the potential to take the pressure off pastures earlier, enabling winter feeding to begin as early as mid May. Sam Zino said he was planning to start winter feed earlier next year, enabling stock to return to grass earlier in spring.

Have adequate feed budgetsIt was vital to have adequate feed budgets to prevent

loss of condition and liveweight gains previously made, Wayne Allan said. “It’s crucial to work backwards from what you know will be needed for the next season. Set your production targets on the high side and decide on your target pasture cover at several critical points accordingly. The key to having a good spring is to be set up for it well in advance.”

Sam also said that he and Mark had ceased growing rape, had doubled the area in fodder beet and were increasing their lucerne plantings (see October Deer Industry News for more on lucerne). Beet provided a lot of very good quality feed in a comparatively small area, and during winter deer were fed on it for about 100 days, with supplementary lucerne balage. This had turned out to be slightly too long, with a consequent falloff in growth rates towards the end. The deer would have done better on it for 60 to 80 days and then put on to pasture, with the remaining beets then used for other stock, Sam said.

“A big issue for us is the further development of our irrigated unit [Flaxmere] to remove the risk associated with uncertainties of rainfall. We haven’t started irrigating yet this season but if this nor’west weather keeps up we will be beginning soon.”

Spring growth had been so high that Sam joked he wondered whether there was something wrong with his budgets and projections. “Grass growth got away on us a bit and we have been largely set-stocking with cattle to take the top off it since 20 October.”

On track with body weightsThey were tracking body weights with monthly weighings, and the mid-November range for the replacement yearlings was from 70–102kg, with an 82kg average. “This means the animals are well on the way to meeting our 5-year target of 95kg at mating, and indeed both finishing and replacement stock weights are well ahead compared with the same time last year,” Allan said. “Overall things are going very well.”

Visitors were impressed by the luxuriant grass at Kanuka Downs. Sam Zino pointed out new lucerne plots on former permanent pasture of grass and triticale that were sprayed three times with glyphosate since September, then drilled early in November. Seedlings were just up and with good soil moisture levels they were expecting enough summer growth to enable a grazing cycle for hinds with fawns, possibly as early as mid January. By spring 2012 the field should be fully established, enabling a cut for silage, followed by another summer rotation with hinds and fawns.

The established lucerne paddock on the other side of the farm (featured in the October Deer Industry News) had now been grazed down and regrowth was about 25 cm high. This was scheduled to be grazed by hinds with calves in mid December. The location and steepness of this paddock was a significant issue, Sam said: it was suitable for grazing only, being not well located for silage production and a bit steep for a contractor to work on.

A new self-feeding silage pit location has been established at Kanuka Downs. The previous pit was set in a gap in a shelter belt and very exposed to the wind; the new site, surrounded by mature pine trees, is much more sheltered.



on farm

A 15% wastage was budgeted for and there was detailed discussion of ways to minimise this while feeding to demand. It was agreed that, unlike sheep and cattle, deer were good at self-limiting their intake, and would not overeat wastefully and quickly deplete the resource.

At Flaxmere, irrigated paddocks were supporting a range of pastures including lucerne and various pasture mixes such as tabu/plantain/white clover. Mark Zino said the face of this block was set to change, with newly planted fodder beet expected to make a major contribution to next winter’s feed budget, more paddocks planted in lucerne, and more land deer fenced.

Fodder beet throughThe beet were drilled three weeks previously, with the usual initially intensive management regime, using salt, boron and magnesium supplements plus two pre-emergence sprays. Small well-spaced beet plants were in evidence but Mark was somewhat concerned that there were still too many weeds. He said that by the four-leaf stage, beet seedlings were unaffected by the spray but used any earlier it could kill them. He might later use Versatil® for thistle control and an insecticide for springtails. While beet was not a big nitrogen user he did plan to apply urea in late December, but after that he expected the crop to require no further attention. The benefits of fodder beet were considerable but establishment costs were high. “Failure is an expensive option with these crops.” It was necessary to get 23t/ha to break even, compared with 17t for kale.

There was also a better dry matter utilisation with beet than kale, with around 95% being eaten. “Beet is highly palatable, with much of the bulb showing above ground, enabling high utilisation. It produces a lot of feed in a small area, and was very good in last winter’s snows.” He had been opening new breaks every 6–7 days and feeding balage on the side. With only 38ha in this block it was critical that winter fodder crops should be high yielding to ease the pressure on spring pastures.

In discussion of the performance of different stock on beets it was agreed that they could be used for up to 80% of feed with deer, but with cattle there was a likelihood of acidosis if the animals were fed more than 60%.

Mark said there were very different issues at Flaxmere from

Kanuka Downs: at the former, demand had recently been exceeding supply, but things were now more in balance. Irrigation hadn’t been switched on yet. Twenty wapiti went in mid November and 40 more were going the following week. As the deer went, Mark was expecting to bring in more finishing stock such as tail-end lambs or cattle. Breeding replacement deer would be taken to Kanuka in February after January blood testing and culling, he said.

WayneAllan(left),SamZino(secondfromleft)withotherattendeesatthefieldday.

HindsatKanukaDowns–springgrassgrowthhasbeenexcellent.




on farm

MarkZino(right)inthenewbeetcrop–hewasabitworriedabouttheamountofweeds.

Improving mating percentagesWayne Allan introduced a discussion of improving conception rates with a summary of some five-year production targets at Kanuka Downs (90-ha breeding unit on hilly land, currently being expanded) and Flaxmere (40-ha deer finishing unit on irrigated flat land). The particular medium-term target is to increase reproductive rates of young hinds from 70 to 90% and calf weaning rates from 53 to 63kg at 1 March.

Data showed that overall 92.5% of hinds were in-calf and there had been no issues with losses over winter. After culling, there were 472 in-calf hinds set-stocked at Kanuka Downs and the first fawns had just dropped.

Yearling hinds Second fawners MA hindsNumber mated 77 75 365Mating weight 85 kg not weighed not weighedNumber in fawn/scanning % 65 (84.4%) 69 (92%) 344 (94.2%)Number dry/% 12 (15.6%) 6 (8%) 21 (5.8%)Average weight at scanning 95kg (drys 90kg) 99kg 105kgCondition score 3+ 3 – 4 3–

This could mean that heavy weaning weight would be pivotal to ensuring high conception rates. Certainly the conception rate among yearlings was strongly correlated with mating weight.

By puberty, individual hinds need to have reached at least 70% of their mature weight in order to conceive successfully, with the actual weight figure depending on the genetics of the animals concerned. Target average liveweights for the herd should be set considerably higher

than this to ensure all individuals exceed the puberty threshold. For example, an 80kg target was probably too low with the Zinos’ big Hungarian reds, so it would be necessary to ensure hinds got their weights up further to get 95% conception with MA hinds, Allan said. “Another issue is at which season the weight gain is made. It is best to maximise weight gains before winter rather than depend too much on spring. This is also about risk management: for example, suppose we had a dry season from now on; it would not be possible to make the same weight gains so easily and cheaply.”

Once the ideal conditions for successful conception were established, the remaining issue was how to ensure all yearling hinds actually got mated. It was agreed that putting the stags in as early as January was a good strategy to avoid socialising problems as the roar approached.

The use of spikers was also discussed, and Sam Zino said he used them at ratios of 1:10, while the figure of 1:8 was also suggested – basically it was agreed that “the more the better”. (In a later discussion with Deer Industry News, Allan said if using older stags over yearling hinds then the ratio could go up to around 1:30 or so.)

Sam and Mark Zino said they would keep seven stags right through until the roar and this should avoid potential later problems with socialising in autumn. These animals had been selected at the end of winter, using weight as the sole criterion. They would also buy in some replacement tested animals, ideally of the same age.



general news

Deer owners’ views sought on funding NAIT scheme costsNow is your chance to have your say about the proposed levy system to fund the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme, set to start on 1 July next year (2012) for cattle. Deer join the scheme in March 2013.

NAIT Limited, the industry-owned company responsible for setting up the scheme, is seeking submissions from deer (and cattle) farmers on proposed levy amounts and how they are collected.

The Government is funding the building of the NAIT database and a proportion of the scheme’s ongoing operational costs. The balance of ongoing operational costs will come from the industry through levies on cattle and deer farmers.

The NAIT Bill currently before Parliament requires the ongoing cost of running the NAIT scheme to be recovered.

NAIT Limited has developed a cost recovery model in consultation with its industry shareholders (Deer Industry New Zealand, Beef+Lamb New Zealand and DairyNZ) that seeks to recover the industry’s share of costs for delivering NAIT.

The proposal for the deer industry differs to that for cattle. Rather, a levy at slaughter, anticipated to be less than 1c/kg, will be remitted to DINZ under the DINZ Regulations and passed on in full to NAIT. This is how the industy makes its contribution to the AHB and will minimise transaction

costs. NAIT Limited Chief Executive Russell Burnard said NAIT has listened to the deer sector and taken its proposal on board.

“The deer proposal is a Deer Industry New Zealand initiative which stemmed from remits at the 2011 Deer Farmers’ Association AGM. The deer industry believed the deer industry should take responsibility for its own funding,” Mr Burnard said.

New Zealand is currently lagging behind its international counterparts in terms of individual animal traceability.

The scheme will enable animals to be traced quickly and reliably from birth to death or live export. Information on the location and movement history of individual animals is essential to ensure a rapid response to a biosecurity outbreak, or contamination of an animal-based food product. Improved animal identification and traceability will provide our export markets with assurances around the sourcing of New Zealand’s animal-based food products, assurances competing producers overseas already provide.

People interested in making a submission have until 5pm on 23 December to do so. The consultation document is at www.nait.co.nz. For deer, the industry levy is set to come into effect on 1 March 2013 subject to the NAIT Bill passing early in 2012.

Buy orange tags from 1 January 2012To allow the administration of the deer levy collection system (which doesn’t include a tag levy) NAIT-approved tags for deer will need to be distinguished from white NAIT-approved cattle tags.

NAIT Limited and NAIT-approved tag manufacturers (Allflex, Leader and Zee Tags) have agreed the simplest way to do this is via a different colour: orange for deer and white for cattle.

From 1 January 2012, deer farmers should ensure they order and buy orange NAIT-approved radio frequency identification device (RFID) ear tags through their rural supplier to avoid NAIT Limited’s levies on white NAIT-approved RFID cattle tag purchases.

From that date, if a deer farmer purchases white NAIT-approved RFID tags for use in deer they will pay the levy as part of the white tag price.

Until now, deer farmers have used the white tags because orange deer ones have not been available. Tag manufacturers have indicated to NAIT Limited that orange tags will be available by January 2012.

Deer tagged with white NAIT-approved RFID tags before 1 January 2012 are not affected by the cattle levy.

Infringement regulations are proposed to discourage use of orange deer tags in cattle.

■ Article supplied by NAIT Limited.

NAIT at a glanceThere are three key components to the NAIT scheme:

1. Tagging deer and cattle with NAIT-approved radio frequency identification device (RFID) ear tags and registering these animals with NAIT Limited.

For deer farmers, NAIT’s advice is to NAIT-tag animals that will still be on-farm on 1 March 2013, when deer are set to join the NAIT scheme.

2. Registering with NAIT Limited the locations where deer and cattle are kept, together with the contact details of the person in charge of the animals. This process creates a NAIT number, which will be used as the identifier for animal movements.

Farmers will be able to start registering on a voluntary basis from February 2012.

3. Recording the movements of individual animals from one location to another and reporting to NAIT Limited all deaths, losses or exports of live cattle or deer to NAIT Limited.

Once the NAIT legislation is passed, farmers and lifestylers who manage cattle will be required to do this from 1 July 2012, deer farmers from 1 March 2013.

Farmers, lifestylers and anyone in charge of deer or cattle will either be able to fulfil the registration and reporting functions of the NAIT scheme themselves, or will have the option to delegate some or all of their NAIT obligations to NAIT-accredited organisations such as farm management companies, saleyards and meat processors.

For many, movement recording will be done for them by these NAIT-accredited organisations.


animal health

Animal health roundup: Waikato/King Country ❚ by Ben Hodgson, VetEnt Te Kuiti

The general pattern in our part of the Waikato and Northern King Country has been that feed was reasonably short over winter and spring was a little slow, but things are looking good now. Most areas are looking for a little rain to keep things trickling along, but an abatement of the wind is what most people are really looking forward to in December.

Ticks don’t appear to be too bad in our patch this year – possibly the horrible little buggers took fright and died at the sight of flurries of snow in tropical districts like Te Awamutu!

Velvet growth amongst my clients has been variable, but typically has been about average or a little ahead.

Fawning appears to be a little slow with a number of local farmers saying they have observed the first fawns up and running about 10 days later than usual.

Facial eczema under the radar?I’m interested to do some further investigations this year, because I am confident that facial eczema (FE) has been flying under the radar for a lot of my clients. I strongly suspect that it may have affected hinds’ cycling patterns, resulting in slower fawning. Two clients at the northern end of our area told me they saw clinical FE this year, one property quite badly. FE in deer could probably benefit from further attention.

This is obviously an issue that large areas of the country can just about ignore, but farmers in many areas need to think about it more. FE has been a significant problem in the past five years in areas where it hasn’t been recognised as a major issue before. From my point of view that means right down south of Taumarunui and right up to several hundred metres above sea level.

FE is a classic tip-of-the-iceberg animal health problem – you can be losing serious production before seeing any external signs. With their thick hair and plenty of skin pigmentation, deer are less likely to show peeling and sunburn than sheep or cows. The problem is that FE is a disease of the liver; the skin damage is only secondary.

If there is any suggestion of FE in your area, think about setting up a monitoring programme – talk to your local vet about the best way to set this up for your farm. If you have seen any signs of FE on your property in the past (be it sheep, cattle or deer), I would encourage you to at least set up and maintain a basic monitoring programme.

One of the frustrating things with FE is that you might get two or three years when spore counts remain very low; then the year you take the eye of the ball, counts go through the roof. Just as damaging can be the impact of moderate or lower spore counts that remain elevated for weeks or months.

A number of clients this year have taken up our SporeMAP service – the first monitoring is starting in mid December and will continue until late May (provided the weather behaves).We are looking at trends and patterns, rather that one-off results from different locations.

Parasite resistanceThere has been strong interest from some local farmers in taking a closer look at drench resistance in worms in their deer herds. Much of this interest has stemmed from the faecal egg count (FEC) reduction test work that we have been doing in sheep (and to a lesser extent cattle) on their properties. It is no secret that results from sheep and cattle around the country haven’t been too flash over the past few years. (See also articles about parasites on pages 40 and 42 of this issue.)

FECs in deer are more complicated to interpret than they are in sheep and can be very misleading, particularly as animals get older and the immune system develops.

A high FEC is a pretty good indicator there are a plenty of worms present. A low or nil FEC means there are few egg-laying adult worms – but there could be any number of immature worms, or even significant numbers of adult worms that are not producing eggs. Suppression of egg laying like this can occur when the deer’s immune system kicks in and the worm is working hard to stay alive and so is unable to put much effort into producing eggs.

This is great from the animal’s point of view, because it reduces the number of eggs that are recontaminating the pasture, but the immune system still uses a fair bit of energy and protein to do this. This protein and energy would otherwise be converted to muscle, fat or milk.

With issues of drench resistance starting to come to light, it doesn’t make it any easier that FECs are not a straightforward technique to assess worm numbers in deer.

In an effort to get around this, I have been part of a small group using worm counts to assess drench resistance more directly. The problem with this is you have to slaughter the animal to carry out a worm count. We have found ways to do this on a couple of commercial deer farms without being too disruptive to the farming business! Results are still coming to hand, but I’m not confident that our results are going to be much more positive that they have been in the sheep and cattle. Watch this space.

BenHodgson:Workingtoassessextentofdrenchresistanceininternalparasitesofdeer.


general news

DEER AGENTS

PGG WRIGHTSONS Ron Schroeder (027 432 1299) Brian Duggan (027 432 4212) Brian Newall (027 595 6448) Brenden Johnston (027 241 4179) Graham Kinsman (027 422 3154)

JOHN DUNCAN DEER (027 432 2881)

www.remarkablestags.com

rem arkables pa rk stud-queen sto w n

Exceptional Venison, Velvet and Trophy Genetics AUCTION DAY - THURSDAY 12 JANUARY 2012

Stud Viewing from 11:00am / Auction Starts 12:30pm

ENQUIRIES/CATALOGUES

Catalogue and photos on www.remarkablestags.com or available on requestPhil Dawson 021 441 445 Alastair Porter 021 99 55 88 Office Vicky (03) 442 3084 Email [email protected] look forward to seeing you at our Stud Sale

SALE INFORMATION

Venison Sire BV’s provided & Performance GuaranteesStud Stags - TB & Johnes’ clear testedComplimentary flights available for details Phone Vicky (03) 442 3084Free delivery Stags within South Island & North Island for sales over $3,000eaRefreshments 11am, lunch 2pm

CRAIGIE DEER IMPROVEMENT A.I. SIRE

STUD SALE STAGS40x 2yr Sire Stags 5x 3yr Sire Stags Antlers on Dual Purpose & Trophy Sires

OUTSTANDING GENETICSTerminal Sires - high BVs/Est. to 240kg Head/Velvet Sires blood lines incl. Craigie, Adonis, Brusnik & Platinum Dual Purpose Sires, incl. by Bremen BV24

NZ’S BEST VALUE SALEAmazing Stud Genetics - 28yrs selected breeding. Extensive A.I. for Trophy & high venison BV performance from Deer Improvement Ltd.

SPECIAL FIXED PRICE OFFERHigh BVs 20+ to BV10 R1 & R2 Stud Stags from $2,000 See www.remarkablestags.com or Phone (03) 442 3084

Porter Groupdeer farming since 1976

Date Event Details6 January Canes Deer sale 1.00pm, 441 Plateau Rd, Reporoa, Malcolm Cane 07 333 8075 or 021 289 63386 January Rodway Park sale 4.00pm, 540 Poutakataka Road, Barry Hogg 07 333 21517 January Pampas Heights sale 11.00am 240 Te Waerenga Road, Bryce Heard 07 332 2271, 021 926 8127 January Raroa Red Deer sale 3.00pm Fergusson Gully Road, Cambridge, John Carter 07 827 8785, Bill Robinson 027 287 05968 January Sarnia Deer sale 10.00am Hickey Road, Cambridge, Bob Atkinson 021 117 16398 January Tower Farms sale 12.30pm Discombe Road, Cambridge, Joe Crowley 027 472 7436, 07 823 3309 Todd Crowley 021 160 49299 January Stanfield’s Red Deer sale 1.30pm, Bangor, Darfield, Clive Jermy, 03 317 9167 or 021 924 3179 January Deer Genetics sale 7.00pm, Geraldine, South Canterbury, Don Bennett 03 693 7221 or Kelly 027 4324 21510 January Peel Forest sale 10.00am, Steve Blanchard, 027 439 341810 January Foveran Park sales 1.30pm and 6.00pm, 03 436 0680, Barry Gard 021 222 8964 or Bob Robertson 0272 688 99611 January Gloriavale and Littledale sale 11.00am, Insignis park, Christchurch, Mark & Jonathan Christian 03 738 0224, Mike Dempsey 03 318 656011 January Antler & Views sale 6.30pm, 1037 SH1 Kaikoura, Dave Mackie 03 319 745412 January Remarkables Park sale 12.30pm, Queenstown, Phil Dawson 021 441 445, Alastair Porter 021 99 55 8812 January Netherdale sale 6.00pm, Balfour, Southland, David Stevens, 03 201 633013 January Arawata sale 2.00pm, Pinebush, John Somerville 03 246 980314 January Black Forest Park stag sale 2.00pm, 125 Woodside Road, Outram, [email protected] January Lochinvar bull sale 11.00am, 561 Te Anau–Mossburn highway15 January Connemara inaugural sire bull sale 2.00pm, Weir Rd, Manapouri, Murray Hagen 021 220 7889 or Jim Cameron 021 0278 885715 January Maryland deer sale 4.30pm Malvern Downs16 January Doncaster Deer sale 11.00am, 79 Black Road Waipahi, Peter Doncaster 03 205 800416 January Wilkins Farming sale 4.30pm Wilkins Farming, 65 Harvey Rd off SH6, between Five Rivers and Athol, Michael 027 249 9317 or Craig 027 473 086417 January Tikana sire sale 3.00pm, 374 Livingston Rd – Browns, Dave Lawrence 03 236 411717 January Littleborne Wapiti sale 4.30pm, Devereaux18 January Clachanburn sale 1.00pm, 316 Puketio Runs Rd19 January Rothesay sale 1.30 pm Dart Rd Methven, Donald Greig 03 3028 77720 January Edendale sale 1.00pm, Ashburton Gorge Rd Mt Somers, Donald Whyte 03 303 984223 January Steinvale venison sire sale 1.00pm, 234 Piakonui Road Walton, Matamata, Mike Steiner 027 439 2444 or 07 880 997931 January Raincliff Station bull sale 1.00pm, Middle Valley Rd, Pleasant Point, David Morgan 03 614 7063Sources:advertisingmaterialsuppliedtoDeer Industry Newsandwww.tradedeer.co.nz.Becauseofthedateofdistribution,pre-Christmassalesandstagwalksarenotlisted.

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industry news

Venison rocks on New York prime timeThree minutes on New York Prime time television with the reporter, a nutritionist and a chef all talking about the amazing quality of Cervena® venison was all arranged by DINZ and generated the kind of coverage far beyond what the promotion budget could afford.

If you have broadband, type in the link below to see what ABC News in New York had to say about New Zealand venison.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=8316385

If you don’t have broadband, this is a three-minute feature about Cervena venison, featuring New York chef Brad Farmerie and nutritionist Heidi Skolnik talking enthusiastically about New Zealand venison, “the new rockstar meat”.

DINZ arranged an evening function in New York at Farmerie’s restaurant in October, and using the media connections of Skolnik, got about 60 food writers, food show producers and chefs along. Some of those invited worked for the local ABC news office and were so impressed with our story that they did their own story. The article also appeared on their website, getting thousands of hits and went on to say…

Heidi Skolnik, a nutritionist for the New York Knicks, calls it a nutrient powerhouse, pointing out the cut is packed full of iron, zinc and vitamin B12.

“There are less calories, less fat and more nutrients than in a chicken breast and we think of chicken as healthy, which it is but this is like all of the benefits of a red meat with a fifth of the fat of beef,” Skolnik explains.

Because this particular kind of venison is grass fed, it also tastes significantly less gamey than wild deer, making it both a treat for your body and your taste buds.

This is the kind of publicity we love, and even though Cervena isn’t in every store in the United States, it is in a surprising number of supermarkets and specialist retailers in the New York area. The story will also help boost our reputation among chefs as we continue the ongoing job of ensuring good publicity for New Zealand venison.

BradFarmerie–agreatadvocateforfarm-raisedNewZealandvenison.

Well known deer specialist, Rusty Andrews is making his mark for Silver Fern Farms

From a very experienced deer background, Rusty worked at Mt Hutt Station and the Point Station.

Well known and liked, Rusty reports that deer farmers’ response has been exceptionally encouraging.

Rusty is very excited at the innovation and direction shown by Silver Fern Farms and is enjoying seeing deer farmers benefiting from the investments being made by the company for the benefit of shareholders.

He has a wide brief, encompassing all facets of venison farming designed to assist the breeders and finishers alike.

Rusty is passionate about the deer industry and looking forward to assisting deer farmers maximise their returns.

Rusty AndrewsTel 021 808 276Email [email protected]


MarketReport

VelvetTension at the start of the velvet season By the time this reaches print, a large proportion of New Zealand’s velvet will have been removed, collected and graded. In terms of sales however, this season started slowly, with exporters reporting an early reluctance by the main buyers to enter the market. Some exporters explained that the hesitation by the larger buyers was due to reduced confidence in pricing levels established for velvet. Some importers had lost significant money in the past when they had committed to a price with subsequent sales dropping in value and were concerned that this season was possibly shaping up to follow that pattern.

The fundamental market indicators in South Korea and China had been positive leading into the season. Even the exchange rate became more favourable (see Figure 1). However, cash flow pressures and a failed attempt to create a united and strong selling platform provided a heavier counterweight at the outset.

At the time of writing, it appears that sales of reasonable volumes have started. While rumours of a larger drop in prices this season circulated, Deer Industry New Zealand understands that prices have settled above the initial early indicators.

Growing importance of ChinaMedium-term prospects continue to look positive. China continues to become more important to the New Zealand velvet industry both as a buyer and consumer of New Zealand velvet. The duty on velvet is only 2.2% and will be completely abolished in 2012, following the deer industry’s good positioning in the Free Trade Agreement with China. Discussions with New Zealand government officials on improving market access conditions to China are progressing and should accelerate now that the New Zealand general election is over. Prospects look promising, particularly around velvet’s sale as a healthy functional food. In South Korea, a Special Consumption Tax Law Amendment Bill was recently initiated to exclude deer velvet and royal jelly from the Special Consumption Tax (formerly the Special Excise Tax). If successful, about 9% would be removed from the border charges imposed on New Zealand deer velvet.

Foreign exchangeAt the time of writing, the New Zealand dollar had started to weaken. This welcome relief for the export sector means that the New Zealand dollar and Korean won are at levels similar to the same period last year. Unlike August, when levels were around mid 900s, a return to mid 800s will make New Zealand velvet more attractive to potential buyers and ideally help offset the tough start to the season.

Keen interest remainsDespite the tension at the beginning of the season, keen interest remains in the New Zealand velvet industry by its core markets. Following the visit by leading executives from the Association of Korean Oriental Medicine and the Chinese mayoral delegation, a prominent Korean company sent two of its executive to New Zealand in November. DINZ estimates that the company currently buys around 8% of New Zealand’s velvet production in a dried form to be further processed and sold as an over-the-counter preparation. The company is keen to expand its velvet product range and could offer good prospects to the New Zealand velvet industry in the longer term. DINZ arranged meetings with senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Animal Health Board to give further confidence in the New Zealand velvet industry. The delegates continued their travel in New Zealand with the commercial part of their visit arranged by their New Zealand partner.

More Chinese velvet industry VIPs are reported to be visiting later in December, with an aim of attending the National Velvet Awards.

Taiwan access advancementsDeer Industry New Zealand welcomed an announcement by the Taiwanese and New Zealand Governments to conduct a feasibility study into a potential Economic Cooperative Agreement, which could result in an improved trade environment. Currently, in Taiwan, imported velvet attracts a 22.5% import tariff, with a 5-tonne quota in place for frozen velvet. Deer Industry New Zealand believes that the market could be significantly higher than the estimated 45 tonnes, given Taiwan’s similarity with South Korea around traditional Chinese medicine. Improving access could result in meaningful investment into promotion and education about velvet’s benefits, which could further develop Taiwan’s market potential.

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Figure 1: NZ dollar to Korean won – 1 May 2011 to 28 Nov 2011


MarketReport

VenisonMarket conditionsAs the European game trade is in full swing, customers report that sales are progressing as expected. Demand for leg items and forequarter items is good, demand for chilled venison has remained strong and demand for frozen middle cuts remains sluggish. Marketers report that restaurant buyers may be reacting to tightening consumer spending and tighter catering budgets by offering less expensive game items on their menus. Supplies of competing game items out of Spain and Eastern Europe have been competitively priced. Improvements in the quality of these products have eroded some of the advantage New Zealand venison enjoys. Improved hygiene, product selection and packaging by some European suppliers means the quality is closer to New Zealand venison, but this is only at the margins of the trade and many customers continue to insist on using New Zealand venison because it is the only game product with the quality status they require.

ProductionVenison production to the end of the 2011 year was 22,920 tonnes, 7% up on the year earlier and slightly up on expectations. DINZ had expected a slight increase in venison production, given the reduction in hind slaughter and improvements in productivity.

Good feed levels through winter allowed more producers to carry deer on for an extra month or two, resulting in the reduced slaughter over the winter and improved numbers at the start of the chilled season, in line with market requirements.

The proportion of hinds being processed is recorded at just over 49% for the past 12 months. Total hinds slaughtered are up 17,000 year-on-year for the past 12 months. Stag numbers slaughtered are up 12,500 for the last twelve months.

A small difference in the hind slaughter rate is evident between the two islands. In the North, hinds accounted for 50% of the total, while in the South, hinds accounted for 48% of the total. This indicates continued contraction of the North Island herd and stable numbers, at best, in the South.

ScheduleThe national average published schedule for AP 55–60kg stags peaked at $9.26 in the week beginning 10 October and was $8.71 in week beginning 26 November, 14% up on the same week in 2010 and 26% up on the 10-year average. On a broader measure, the average reported schedule for the chilled season (August to October) for 2011 was $8.93; this

was up 30% over the 10-year average.

CurrencyThe NZ dollar fell against the USD and the euro during October and November as increasing worries about the stability of European sovereign debt caused investors to seek greater safety in USD and euro assets, and to divest “risky” currencies like the kiwi. Since September, the NZD has fallen 13% against the USD and 6% against the euro.

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Schedule 60kg AP Stag

Coming events: 2012*Date Event Details

28 January Elk/Wapiti Society velvet competition Golden Gate Hotel, Cromwell, Tony Pullar, 03 473 8740

29 January Southland 2-year-old velvet and trophy antler competition

4.30pm Commercial Hotel, Winton, Janet Horrell, 03 236 8720

4 February Fiordland velvet competition Grant Lindsay, 03 249 7800

18 February Rising Stars velvet competition Te Awamutu Racing Club, Graham Lawson 07 873 2763

15–17 May Deer Industry Conference Wanaka, Richard Burdon, 03 443 1554

29–31 May CERVETEC 2012 Deer Industry Technical Conference, hosted by the NZ Veterinary Association Deer Branch

Queenstown

*See separate listing on page 20 for sire sale dates


general news

Open letter to all venison producersI am concerned that the very valuable industry good work and ongoing genetic progress being made by Deer Improvement may be lost to us due to a lack of industry support.

Deer Improvement has put a huge human and financial investment into our industry using objective principles that have been well proven and adopted in other industries (notably dairy since the 1960s). Since their welcome entry into our industry the genetic progress made to date, especially in growth rates, and more recently in carcass traits, is remarkable. This progress is ongoing and absolutely essential if deer are to compete with other land uses.

This genetic intellectual property is available to all in our industry but I see no evidence of it being appreciated or encouraged by our elected leaders, financially supported by our levies or attracting government funding through such sources as the PGP fund. I can only ask why, and wonder if self interest has been a factor at times.

Deer Improvement’s main asset is the very skilled and passionate people it employs but it is totally funded and, no doubt, subsidised by dairy farmers through LIC. In a climate of reduced deer numbers and minimal industry support I cannot see this situation lasting much longer.

I encourage support from deer farmers and action from our leadership before we lose this valuable industry asset to a less effective owner (at best), or wound up completely (at worst).

■ Owen Buckingham, Te Anau

The DINZ Chief Executive and Producer Manager respondThe good progress in genetic improvement is quantifiably expressed as DEERSelect Breeding Values especially in relation to venison traits (see latest sire summary lists). While Deer Improvement has a high industry profile and has been a major contributor through greater awareness, availability and excellence in their farm and business model, there are also leading breeders and commercial operators who have welcomed the contribution of quantitative information on which to base sire selection and refined breeding objectives.

There is no deer industry Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) in this area, but the genetics spend in the industry–AgResearch partnership through the Venison Supply System research objectives is funded jointly on a 3:1 ratio. In comparison, a PGP only offers 1:1 funding with considerably more bureaucracy. That funding model ($1.6m per year, now devolved to AgResearch) has the new Deer Progeny Test programme with co-investors Alliance Group, Landcorp and eight key breeders (including Deer Improvement) as the next step in furthering the genetics basis of productivity improvement and the DEERSelect breeding values. This has been reported widely in our industry media along with recent promotion of DEERSelect’s aims and objectives.

However, we do agree that the promotion, uptake and use of opportunities from genetic gains and breeding values across the industry is less than it should be. The industry

is currently reviewing areas of technology transfer, practice change and a targeted use of the information and resources as suggested. In developing this further we acknowledge the expertise and skills freely offered by Deer Improvement along with the other seven supporting studs and resources within the Deer Progeny Test and AgResearch base science and the DEERSelect trait analysis groups.

Genetic improvement is a key theme in the Productivity Improvement Programme as is the Deer Progeny Test and developing further carcass traits and the longer-term maternal traits. This sale season many breeders are offering breeding values for growth and indexes that can be analysed and ranked to support purchase decisions for permanent genetic gains in buyers’ commercial herds and their own breeding objectives. The investment and commitment in people and resources that Owen outlines is available across the board for that breeding value investment. The opportunity to take up and use these values is here now. They are essential for progress and are valuable.

As a committed industry group, promotion of uptake, increased visibility and encouraging practice change and adoption to improve productivity and profitability is a goal and a priority.

■ Mark O’Connor and Tony Pearse

Timaru to get venison plantA multimillion-dollar venison processing plant will be built in Timaru, after Alliance Group’s closed its Sockburn plant in Christchurch.

The company announced its decision to close the Sockburn plant on Monday after a four-week consultation period with its 250 employees and their unions. The plant will close at the end of next year’s processing season.

Its venison processing capacity will be shifted to Timaru’s Smithfield plant, while beef processing will be moved to the Mataura and Pukeuri plants.

Alliance Group Chief executive Grant Cuff said a new plant would be built at Smithfield to cater for 1,500–2,000 deer a week, a similar-sized plant to Sockburn’s.

Smithfield has never processed venison, only sheep and lamb. To cater for the extra work, an estimated 50 employees would be needed, but it was too early to say how many of those would be new staff, Mr Cuff said.

The new plant was expected to cost several million dollars to build and work was due to start early next year.

It was hoped venison processing would start at Smithfield once the season was winding down at Sockburn, which was usually in May or June.

“We’ll wind out to the lowest point in the season at Sockburn, and then Smithfield would start at that low point and build into the high point,” Mr Cuff said.

Mr Cuff said an upgrade of the Mataura plant in Southland as part of a $13 million project was almost complete, while Pukeuri, north of Oamaru, had the capacity to take on more processing.

■ Source: Timaru Herald.


industry news

Venison promotion activitiesVenison served to the RWC VIPs

Rugby is not important in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden … in fact no-one in our main markets knew the Rugby World Cup was on, but, it’s nice to know that visitors to New Zealand got to experience venison. We received a note from Chef to the Nation, Ruth Pretty, letting us know she had used venison for many of their events.

“During Rugby World Cup Ruth Pretty Catering had the privilege of looking after VIP guests invited to matches at Eden Park in Auckland. For the 11 matches at Eden Park we served dignitaries from a league of nations to include New Zealand, France, Botswana, Georgia, Monaco, Scotland and Tonga. Our guests included prime ministers,

presidents, ambassadors, princes and princesses and we loved every minute of the adventure. We felt proud of every dish we served and relished the compliments our company received. Among the selection of the best of New Zealand produce, we served a number of venison dishes including Cervena® venison with parsley and walnut pesto, carrot and parsnip cake and blackcurrant jus and venison kebabs

marinated with apple syrup, sesame oil and soy sauce.”

New Zealand Venison sponsoring premier food writers’ event of the year

New Zealand Venison was one of only four sponsors of the 2011 Culinary Quills Food Writer’s awards, held in Nelson. As well as featuring on the menu of the awards dinner, New Zealand Venison sponsored the Journalism Award, which was won by Waikato Times writer, Denise Irvine.

Other winners included Al Brown for Go Fish for best book. The Free Range Cook on TVNZ won Annabel Langbein the

Market conditions in Europe: GFC 2.0?At the time of writing, European leaders find themselves unable to arrive at a political solution to the economic concerns affecting European countries’ ability to raise sufficient borrowing to cover their debts. The pace of change is such that by the time you read this the euro may already be a historical oddity – or perhaps the will and means will have been found to restore investor confidence in the euro project.

More likely, European politicians will continue to do just enough to avert a complete meltdown in the system, but remain incapable to taking the decisions needed to further entwine European economies to provide the guarantee investors require to fund problematic government deficits, so prolonging the slow decline.

The implications for the New Zealand venison industry are perhaps three-fold. In the short term, currency exposure and contracts will have to be carefully managed in the event that one or more members of the eurozone decide to withdraw. Changing from the euro back to the drachma/franc/deutschmark would create immediate cash flow issues as banks changed from one currency to another and businesses worked out how to pay contracts set in a currency they no longer use. The changeover would cause short-term disruption, but changes in currency are manageable.

Medium term, a return of the credit crisis conditions last experienced following the Lehman collapse creates difficulty for companies that conduct their business with the assistance of bank funding. In the event that banks can no longer obtain short-term funding to cover their own lending, companies’ overdrafts could well be withdrawn, meaning for example an importer would be unable to provide the security needed to uplift a container from the port. A systemic shortage of credit would also impact upon businesses’ ability to pay their bills, meaning importers and distributors would be increasingly looking for cash on delivery, rather than

normal terms. This would greatly slow their businesses.

And finally the longer-term outlook for the European economy has moved from neutral to negative. Recessions are likely in the main European economies. Recession doesn’t immediately mean people stop eating, but it does mean a reduction in expenditure across the economy and especially on discretionary items like restaurant dining. The fiscal constraint being placed upon economies Europe-wide in order to reduce debt levels is leading to a reduction in consumer spending and will place downward pressure on food prices. In some countries it may take a generation to pay off the debt incurred over the past decade.

New Zealand remains fortunate that its main markets are the creditor nations of Northern Europe and Scandinavia and, apart from Belgium and the United Kingdom, are better placed to recover once the immediate crisis resolves itself.

The timing of this current crisis will be fortuitous for New Zealand exporters if it comes to a head during the low point of the venison consumption season, allowing the situation to regain some stability before the beginning of the game season in 2012. In this case, careful stock management and good communication between suppliers and customers is vital to allow careful inventory management through the off season, and allow marketers to make changes to the sales mix before the season starts.

RuthPretty:MadeexcellentuseofCervenavenisontoentertainRWCguests.


industry news

Electronic and Digital prize and Cuisine magazine’s Fresh Approach spring cover published in September 2010 won Fiona Smith the Visual award.

Also worth noting, Sarah Hedger was the nomination for the best competition recipe for her entry in our own 2010 Venison recipe competition, which won the best family recipe last year.

InnesMoffatandwinnerDeniseIrvineattheCulinaryQuillsawards.

More venison promotion in New Zealand

Efforts to get more New Zealand food writers using venison continue to pay off, in the last month features on venison appeared in The New Zealand Listener, The DominionPost, New World’s Real magazine (below left) and the Herald on Sunday following encouragement from DINZ.

real 23

Real tipRoasting the nuts will add

a warmer, deeper walnut

flavour to the pesto. Toast

the nuts in a 180°C for 8-10

minutes or until golden

brown and smelling toasty.

Cool before using.

Today’s farmed venison melts in the mouth and is a fabulous standby for Christmas Day if you’re not a ham or turkey fan

22 real

WORDS & RECIPE ALLYSON GOFTON I PHOTOGRAPHY DEVIN HART I STYLING TAMARA WEST

real 23

Pancetta-wrapped spiced venison Where venison is not available, try this recipe using beef fillet or well-trimmed scotch fillet steak

Marinade ¼ cup olive oil (extra virgin is ideal here)1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano1 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds

Venison 4 farmed-raised venison steaks or 8 farm-raised venison medallions 4-8 slices of pancetta or streaky bacon

1. Mix together the oil, garlic, thyme, oregano and fennel seeds with a good seasoning of pepper. Toss the venison medallions or steaks in the marinade, cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. (Alternatively marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes only).

2. Wrap one slice of the pancetta or bacon around each medallion and secure with a toothpick.

3. Heat a frying pan or the barbecue grill until very hot and cook the venison for 3-4

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Venison is so often thought of by many to be the stuff of wild deer hunts, requiring long, slow

cooking. That picture is a little past it. Tender, farmed-raised New Zealand venison is now available all year round. Being so succulent and with its own sweet taste, it marries well with just about every seasoning blend. From Italian, Asian and Mexican to classic British and French-inspired seasonings to good-old Kiwi favourites, venison loves them all.

While some venison is sold with the Cervena trademark logo, all venison in New World is farm-raised, meaning it:• Has a subtle flavour (not gamey) • Is guaranteed tender • Is free-range farmed without hormones or growth promotants

At New World, look for:Silver Fern Farms: Cervena™ medallions, mince, stir-fry and diced venison.Woodburn Venison: Burger patties, meatballs and occasionally medallions, and diced venison. Cooking tips * Buy medallions or steaks of even thickness to ensure even cooking. * If not marinating, season the meat with a little oil, salt and pepper before cooking.* Cook preferably from room temperature or have the meat removed from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking.* Best served rare or medium-rare.* Rest before serving to ensure tenderness.

Medallions versus steaks Farm-raised venison medallions are small steaks, normally cut from the tender leg muscles. At 50 to 60 grams per medallion, 2 or 3 are a good serving per person. They can also be cooked, rested then sliced and tossed through a salad as a smaller meat serving. Steaks are larger, about 100 grams, and are normally cut from the loin.

It’s healthy too!One serving of farm-raised venison has less than 1 gram of saturated fat.

What is Cervena? Some venison is marketed as Cervena® natural tender venison. The name comes from the Latin word for deer ‘cervidae’. Only New Zealand-farmed venison that meets audited quality standards can use it.

minutes on each side.

4. Rest venison for 5 minutes under a piece of foil before serving with barbecued vegetables and the Walnut & Parsley Pesto.

Preparation time: 30 minutesMarinating time: 1-2 hours (optional) Cooking time: 6-8 minutesServes: 4-6

Walnut & parsley pesto½ cup walnuts 2 cups parsley leaves 1 tablespoon chopped fennel leaves or ½-1 teaspoon dried fennel ½ teaspoon minced garlic½ cup oil (extra virgin is nice here)

1. Process the nuts in a food processor with the parsley, fennel and garlic until finely chopped. With the motor running slowly, add the olive oil down the feed tube and continue to process to make a thick, smooth paste. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container but serve at room temperature to better appreciate the flavours.

Preparation time: 5 minutesMakes: 1 cup R

•••

••

Love me tender

Real butchery

AddingtothisistherecentlaunchofthebestrecipespromotionbySilverFernFarmsusingAnnabelLangbein(aboveright).Langbeinisfrontingatelevision,printandwebcampaignpromotingtheSilverFernFarmsretailrangeoflambandvenison.

Teaching in the UK

Three young chefs have been spreading the word about New Zealand to trainees in the United Kingdom. DINZ arranges venison teaching demonstrations at a small number of culinary schools in the United Kingdom to give students an understanding of the quality of New Zealand farm-raised venison. Although the UK food service market is not a large market for New Zealand, an increasing amount of venison is being sold through restaurants and

in supermarkets and venison is becoming increasingly popular. For a small investment in time, DINZ is introducing a large number of future chefs to the quality of New Zealand venison. They will remember the advantages of using farm-raised venison as they continue on their careers.

Chef Sophie Wright visited New Zealand in 2007 after winning the UK/NZ Link Foundation Culinary Challenge (where she used New Zealand venison in her winning dish in the final) and is developing a career as a caterer and food writer. She has already published two books and has a regular column in the Daily Telegraph online.

SophieWrightspeakstoagroupofstudentsfromBirminghamabouttheversatilityandoftheDenverlegcuts.

NZ Venison on display at wholesalers’ fairs

Distributors of New Zealand venison are busy getting the message out to chefs that New Zealand venison is available and is good quality. At chefs’ events from Brussels to Bochum (which isn’t actually that far as it happens) our venison has been hitting the grill at fairs where food suppliers show off their products to professional chefs. Customers of the big food distribution companies like Metro and Citti are invited to these fairs and the suppliers are invited to provide samples. We are fortunate that several importers take the opportunity to promote New Zealand venison at these events (pictured below) which are important for educating chefs on the attributes of New Zealand venison.


general news

NZDFA Branch Chairmen’s meetingNZDFA Branch Chairmen met in Wellington on 26 and 27 October for their six-monthly meeting. Continuing the theme of regeneration and youth that started in Timaru earlier in the year, there was a good sprinkling of younger faces from the Branches. The following report by Deer Industry News Editor, Phil Stewart, picks out some of the highlights of the meeting.

Productivity Improvement Programme steaming aheadBranch Chairmen were brought up to date on the DINZ Productivity Improvement Project, which was first unveiled at the Timaru conference in May. Before getting into the detail, DINZ Chairman, Andy Macfarlane said the productivity strategy was needed to “get more power out of the scrum”.

Continuing the rugby teambuilding theme, he said the right combination of people was vital, which is why expertise from across the board was being tapped into for the project. This included science, education, communication, governance, management and more.

Macfarlane said competitiveness was the key. “It’s not good enough just to make improvements in our sector if we’re still falling behind other land uses. We’ve got to do better than them if we want the industry to grow.”

He said it was important to be able to measure progress accurately, to gauge whether goals were being met. EID would play a big role in this, but good measures of things like farm costs per kg produced, feed utilisation, liveweight wintered and liveweight gained and production efficiency were also needed.

“First you need a start point. There has been a bit of greyness about our actual performance. Every dairy farmer and every velvet farmer can tell you very accurately how much they’ve produced, but only about five percent of venison farmers could tell you exactly how much they’re producing.”

Mandy Bell as Chair on the Productivity Improvement Programme updated progress and picked up on the theme of change. The groups were trying to avoid having their thinking constricted by current conditions and practices, but rather “backcasting” from 20 years ahead.

She said the programme should see a mix of incremental and transformational changes. “Practice change” was central to this, and it’s a term that is becoming increasingly common. “People can be wary of change, but it brings opportunities,” she said. Practice change was a step up from technology transfer. It required simple, timely messages, good business plans and budgets.

Bell said the industry needed to galvanise itself to make significant change. “This will require a lot of energy.”

In the last quarter of 2011 the Productivity Leadership Group, which pulls together many of these disciplines, has been drafting priorities under each of five strategic headings. Each of these areas has its own theme group. Their coordinators briefly presented on their work to date.

1. Animal healthAdrian Campbell (veterinarian, coordinator), Peter Wilson (Massey), Jeremy Johnston (farmer, North Canterbury), Colin Mackintosh (AgResearch) and Amy Wills (DINZ).

Campbell said the group had identified up to 30 diseases and conditions that affected deer, but when it came down to benefits of overcoming these, the list was shortened to a handful: Johne’s disease, yersiniosis, leptospirosis,

BranchChairmenandguestsattheWellingtonmeeting.



general news

fusobacteriosis (foot abscesses), lungworm, gastrointestinal parasites and parasite resistance.

“We’re awash with good research. The big challenge is on-farm adoption,” he said. Having a good animal health plan didn’t necessarily mean more inputs.

He said farms needed a good risk assessment process, which included surveillance, if they were to build a proper animal health (and welfare) plan. “It’s doable – but you have to want to do it!”

2. Genetics and physiologyDave Lawrence (farmer, coordinator), Julie Everett-Hincks (AgResearch), Jake Chardon (Deer Improvement) and Tony Pearse (DINZ)

Lawrence said those responsible for developing breeding values and selecting for desirable traits need to have clear signals from consumers and buy-in from farmers. “It’s no use producing breeding values that you guys aren’t interested in. Buy-in has been pretty poor in the past.”

Changing the mind-set from velvet towards venison was needed, although he admitted that it was hard to make venison production sexy compared with velvet.

He said there is a long list of desirable traits but the challenge was to hone in on traits that are measurable and realistic. Heritability of resistance or tolerance to parasites was not yet measurable, for example. Heritability of resistance to Johne’s disease was still being evaluated.

Weaning weights on their own were fairly meaningless without a known birth date, and he suggested scan data could be used to provide a better fix on growth rates from birth to weaning.

Technology played a big part, and the use of ViaScan at the Alliance works, for example, would see yields for individual carcasses recorded in detail from the end of next season. In the meantime ultrasound was now routinely used for measuring traits like eye muscle in live animals. “A lot of information can be gained from that data, and it’s not hard to gather.”

One big productivity issue was the challenge of getting first fawners in calf, and Lawrence said a puberty index could help with selection for early reproductive success. The between-herd connectedness that would come via the Deer Progeny Test programme would provide more of an advantage, as the performance of progeny in different conditions was monitored. The first set of 400 progeny from 15 different sires are now on the ground at two different properties.

Looking ahead he said the mapping of the deer genome provided exciting possibilities for accelerating trait selection, but cautioned that timing was everything. “We need to wait until the cattle industry sorts a few things out and piggy-back on their work.”

3. FeedingRoss Stevens (farmer, coordinator), David Stevens (AgResearch), Glen Judson (animal nutritionist, Agricom) and Tony Pearse (DINZ)

Tony Pearse said the nutrition theme feeds into the

overarching goal of more deer, heavier, earlier and better. Success in this area demanded good understanding of the trigger points for decisions. “We need to identify what the top farmers are achieving within their current constraints and what tools they needed to achieve their benchmarks. These included things like choice of plant species, tactical use of nitrogen, stocking rates and integrated grazing.

One key area was achieving high growth before winter with good lactation performance. Taking advantage of the autumn window by targeting good pasture covers and quality would help bring weaners through to target weights by 1 June – something that would dictate slaughter patterns later in the season.

Other crucial challenges were maintaining pasture quality into summer, and providing adequate nutrition for yearling hinds from late summer through into the rut to help ensure they get in calf.

4. Freedom to operatePeter Aitken (Landcorp, coordinator), Simon Stokes (Bay of Plenty Regional Council), Geoff Asher (AgResearch), John Tacon (DINZ) and Amy Wills (DINZ)

He said the group’s mission was to “minimise and mitigate constraints and barriers to our sustainable industry best practice, to maximise the potential of deer production and profitability while complying with responsible environmental, fiscal and animal welfare standards and conditions”.

“If we don’t get this right we can’t pursue the other main goal of more deer, heavier and earlier.”

Protecting the industry’s freedom to operate “isn’t rocket science”, Peter Aitken said. There were three main areas: environment, animal welfare and biosecurity. Main legislation affecting deer farming included the Resource Management Act, Animal Welfare Act and Biosecurity Act, but other areas such as the Conservation Act, NAIT and the Emissions Trading Scheme also affected the industry.

He said water quality was emerging as a high-profile issue for agriculture. There was an opportunity for deer farming to take the initiative and improve its self auditing – Landcorp’s “Farm Pride” was an example of how this could be done. “This could give us leverage into markets.”

Good risk assessment was important. “We need to have a plan in place for when the ship hits the reef. If something happens overnight, like a foot and mouth outbreak or a Mike King–pig industry incident, we need to be ready.”

5. ProcessingDavid Morgan (farmer, coordinator), Andy Russell (farmer and director, Firstlight), Simon Wishnowsky (Venison Packers), Katja Rosenvold (AgResearch), Karl Buchanan (Silver Fern Farms) and John Tacon (DINZ)

David Morgan said EID will be crucial to much of the progress made in this field, by improving information flows. Industry grading standards needed to zero in on yields, conformation, quality, tenderness, pH, bruising, drip loss, animal health status and so on.

He said detailed feedback to producers via kill sheets was essential if they were to respond with the right product.



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While EID and NAIT were useful tools, success depended on the accuracy of the data collected.

Echoing earlier speakers, Morgan said the passion aroused by velvet antler needs to be diverted into venison production. He said the processing group would look at velvet as a separate subgroup. (DINZ Velvet Marketing Services Manager, Rhys Griffiths is scanning each group for velvet related discussion, so issues raised will be captured.)

Easy access to a library of research on processing would be useful, he added.

Expert groups add another dimension

Threading through these areas to keep the priorities well grounded are DINZ, a value chain group (led by Andy Russell, Manawatu farmer), science management (Jimmy Suttie), DEEResearch and VARNZ (Collier Isaacs), a farm business group (Wayne Allan and Roy Fraser) and marketers.

Andy Russell said the value chain is very segmented. Farmers focus on how much they can produce and sell, while processors and marketers have more complex issues to juggle, such as timing, transport modes, volumes and demand. “This is a dysfunctional model.”

He said changes such as a planned increase to a 65kg average carcass would have impacts right through the chain – for example it might affect weaning dates, processing dates, size of co-products and so on. “Is the feedback coming back to the farmer?”

The Productivity Leadership Group, which is pulling together these various strands is led by Andy Macfarlane and Mandy Bell (veterinarian and farmer), with Paddy Boyd (Haldon Station and Chairman of the Sustainable Farming Fund), Gavin Sheath (former AgResearch scientist) and Glen Tyrrell (Silver Fern Farms and DINZ Board).

Returning to the subject of practice change Gavin Sheath said that when deciding where to invest in the industry it was important to understand the value involved in change and how many people were prepared to do it.

Understanding motivators (money for example) and inhibitors (eg, confused messages or lack of confidence) was also important. Sheath said field days and handing out paper was not enough to stimulate practice change. It took multiple exposures to certain information to instil confidence to change – similar to the way a sales pitch works.

Mark O’Connor said some modelling work was being done to better understand the drivers of change. This would involve some survey work.

Consultant Wayne Allan explained that there is a hierarchy of levels to help promote change, as follows:

Fielddays

Focus Farms

Discussion groups

One-on-one

He said the information transfer at the top of the pyramid – field days – was okay for awareness raising, but it took contact lower down the chain to help make change happen.

Practice change required awareness, followed by confidence that something will fit easily into their system and add value. This took good trainers and advisers, good information resources and farmers who could model the practice change – early adopters, or farmer heroes, who could champion the advantages of implementing positive change.

Getting the Productivity Improvement Programme started

Summing up, Mandy Bell said that once the five theme groups had finished their work and knowledge gaps had been identified, the science would be prioritised and from that would come practice change. Some of this would be based on knowledge that was already available.

The programme proper would be launched in May 2012 at the Wanaka conference with implementation starting in July 2012.

DINZ Board member Dr Andy West commented that the work being done by the Productivity Leadership Group was a prerequisite for securing government funding. “We’ve got to have a coherent message if we’re going to maintain that level of research capability. It won’t succeed without the



general news

buy-in from processors and farmers.”

West warned that deer farming was competing with other land uses, especially trees.

Jimmy Suttie commented that the collaboration within New Zealand’s science community has improved. “There’s far more collegial support for the industries from within the universities and Crown research institutes than before.”

Collier Isaacs said the initiative was essential to ensure the next round of R&D funding applications was aligned to industry needs.

Wanaka 2012The 2012 Deer Industry Conference at Wanaka from 15–17 May is shaping up to build on this year’s highly successful conference in Timaru. Branch Chairmen were full of praise for the emphasis on young people and the inspirational speakers at the 2011 conference, with the only criticism being “that hot stuff they put on the venison” at the dinner.

Richard Burdon reported that Pat Johnston and Destination Conference Management had again won the tender to organise the event in 2012. The Lake Wanaka Centre in the middle of town has great facilities and will be the conference hub.

There will be a field day to Mount Burke Station but also a focus on up to six local properties and other industry-related businesses such as Luggate Game Packers and helicopter operators. Burdon said the conference booklet

will have good quality data for attendees to take home. There will be a few surprises in store as well. The Wanaka Deerstalkers Association and Young Farmers Club will be pitching in to help with organisation.

The conference will open with a “short and sweet” NZDFA Annual General Meeting opening proceedings on the first day and the Executive Committee will be touring around the Branches in the 10 days preceding the AGM to help bring any issues to the fore. Tony Pearse commented that getting the AGM done first will then allow the themes and the speakers of the conference proper to pick up momentum without interruption.

The 2012 Deer Farmers’ Environment Awards will be presented during an afternoon session, with the Matuschka and Deer Industry Awards given out on separate evenings.

Getting the best out of Focus FarmsFocus Farms are important not only for the farmers attending them but also as a shop window for the industry. A recent familiarisation trip to Black Forest Park by 40 rural bankers was a case in point, and Tony Pearse said it was important to involve industry partners like these in what’s happening on farm.

Discussing progress at the various Focus farms, he noted that a project carried out by Sue Peoples (Social Sciences, AgResearch) is looking at how people use what they learn at field days.

Malcolm Gilbert (Canterbury) said their branch targeted the top one-third of deer farmers for field days because they were the most likely to take home what they’ve learned and apply it. He said it was important that farmers get good quality information from the Focus Farm programme.

It was noted that benchmarking is an important part of the mix, because individuals will be better able to rate their own performance against that of others in a similar setting.

The needs of sponsors must be catered for, ensuring they get exposure through the agricultural media. Pearse said Environment Waikato, for example, had invested $3,000 in a water quality project on Brian and Jackie Wellington’s northern regions Focus Farm, and involvement like this must be acknowledged.

Ticks “insidious little buggers”A request by DEEResearch for feedback from farmers on the extent of the tick problem has revealed that, with control options limited and eradication nigh-on impossible, they are a fact of life and ongoing cost of production – in northern regions at least. There are only two chemical controls available – Bayticol Pour On and PYthon Ear Tags. Possible alternatives such as diazinon were likely to be phased out as organophosphate pesticides are probably to be withdrawn following a review by the Environmental Protection Authority.

Steve Borland (Waikato) said control costs him about $2,500 a year on his 53-hectare property. Ian Bristow (Kaipara) said the tick tags worked best for him. He used two per animal each year and finished them with Bayticol after the tags ran out – annual control cost was about $15 per head.

It was agreed that the problem could be managed with aggressive control, but that ticks would always be around.

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Fast payback for EID investment on larger enterprisesEID yields economic benefits, especially when high-end systems are used on larger scale deer farming enterprises. That was one of the main findings of a study by five Massey University commerce students who presented their report to the Branch Chairmen’s meeting and gave deer farmers a more positive view of the implications of NAIT.

The work was done as a university project and independently of NAIT. The students looked at the costs of three types of EID package:

• Basic($5888includingGST).Thisincludedabluetoothhand held wand, weigh scale indicator, load bars and two hours’ training.

• Intermediate($16,376includingGST).Thisincludeda more advanced weigh scale indicator and recorder, bluetooth fixed panel EID reader and recorder, load bars, auto drafter and four hours’ training.

• Advanced($22,172).Thisincludedatouchscreenweigh scale indicator, animal and farm management system, bluetooth fixed panel EID reader and battery powered control unit, load bars, auto drafter and eight hours’ training.

The students interviewed 12 deer farmers (four of whom had EID systems), two processors (both Firstlight) and two technology providers (Gallagher and TruTest).

Farmers perceived both benefits and weaknesses with EID, although those who don’t have EID didn’t know much about the technology or its potential. Among the benefits were: accurate recording of weight gain, improved drafting, and the ability to buy better stock, record performance trends and identify individual animals.

Weaknesses cited by farmers included: low uptake of EID technology in the deer industry, a reluctance to change or take up the technology until it was mandatory, hesitancy about reliability of the equipment, minimal perceived benefits for certain enterprises and a concern about costs more than doubling under this new system. A velvet farmer among the respondents saw no benefit in EID because liveweights were of no interest. A finishing farmer was also not very interested in the technology because 80 percent of his stock were off the farm within a year.

Processors and technology providers were, not surprisingly, less equivocal about the benefits. Processors cited traceability, development of breeding and production records and stronger links between farmers and processors as benefits. The technology providers listed the benefits of faster drafting, automatic weight recording, individual animal ID, traceability and lower labour costs.

The students looked at the potential cost benefits covering three different scenarios: A North Island breeder, a South Island breeder and intensive finishing. The breeding farm models were based on the MAF monitor farm system and considered three different sizes of enterprise (100, 500 and 2000 breeding hinds). The intensive finishing model considered farms of 700, 1800 and 3600 head. Most of the cost benefits came through reduced labour.

In all scenarios the cost benefit was clearly well ahead for the larger enterprises using the advanced EID packages. For example, a North Island breeder with only 100 hinds using the intermediate package would take 18 years for the investment to pay for itself. At the other end of the scale, North or South Island breeders with 2000 hinds, or the finisher with 3600 head buying the advanced EID package would get full payback for the investment in less than a year. In all scenarios the intermediate package offered a slower payback period than the basic or advanced technology.

The students based their cost benefit analysis as closely as possible to real-world deer farm scenarios, with costs of

RAROA DEER John Carter 07 827 8785 [email protected] Robinson 027 2870596 [email protected]

STAG SALESaturday 7th January 2012 at 3pm

Stags will be 3 years old A selection of yearling hinds also for sale

Contact for catalogue or www.raroadeer.co.nz

Summor @ 6-score 616 inches His second crop of sons will be

offered for sale this year

Maximian @ 5 score 428 inchesThis year @ 6 years he cut 7.6 kg SAFirst sons offered for sale this year

Fromleft:MasseyUniversitystudentsAleishaHansen,MarikaAnselmi,ChrisTaylor,SarahGoodandKieranMcHugh,whopresentedtheirfindingsonthecostbenefitsofEID.



general news

NAIT updateNAIT Chief Executive, Russell Burnard was an invited guest at the October Branch Chairmen’s meeting where he updated Chairmen on the implementation of NAIT and fielded the usual lively questions from the floor (see also a separate update article from NAIT on page 17).

Introducing the guest, DFA Executive Committee Chair, Edmund Noonan, urged deer farmers to consider the productivity opportunities presented by NAIT rather than fixating on the costs involved.

Burnard said deer and cattle can accommodate electronic tagging quickly, but acknowledged the introduction of other species (sheep, goats, pigs etc) to the system is a while away. These were a “stepping stone” to full biosecurity protection. He said people who were using RFID technology were already seeing productivity gains.

He said NAIT was working with MAF on any deer-specific regulations that might be needed – for example, allowance for trophy or fallow deer. There might be exemptions for these, but this was in MAF’s hands. He assured farmers that the data can be used only for food safety, biosecurity or industry good purposes. “There are criminal sanctions for using it for anything else.”

He said farmers’ burden of responsibility for recording would be minimised. It was hoped that teething troubles would be ironed out during the 8-month gap between implementation of NAIT for cattle (July 2012) and deer (March 2013).

Branch Chairmen were concerned that species that followed cattle and deer into NAIT would be piggy-backing on the development work paid for by the “early adopters” of NAIT. Burnard said “we haven’t even got close to thinking about that yet” but that the marginal cost of coming on board would be paid by the new sector.

Early studies had shown tag retention was in the “high 99 percent range” when they were applied correctly.

Standards for tags were being set, but retention was a priority. Burnard said he was disappointed that tag prices hadn’t started to drop, but was still expecting

that to happen. He said the standard was geared to a tag being required to last over a number of years (eg, for a valuable stud animal). There was no provision for cheaper and less durable tags that might be required for only a short period on a young animal that goes straight to slaughter. Cheaper tags were not meeting retention standards, Burnard said.

NAIT was still working with DINZ on options for ultra high frequency tags being used in the deer industry. Microchipping was not being considered as an alternative because of food safety considerations.

Burnard noted that up to 16 percent of all cattle are on lifestyle blocks, owners of which are likely to be slow adopters. These would come in for special attention from NAIT to ensure compliance.

He acknowledged the challenges with introducing existing capital stock into NAIT.

Returned to senderSteve Borland (NZDFA, Waikato) had a small gift for NAIT’s Russell Burnard. Noting that the early introduction of EID tagging in dairy cows could compromise the integrity of NAIT, Borland symbolically returned a packet of tags to Burnard. These had already “been through the system” on dairy cows that were now dead, yet there had been no central recording of these cows while they were alive and wearing the tags. Burnard conceded that there were transitional issues while EID was voluntary, but urged farmers to make use of the technology. He said the system for activating tags and recording would be as simple as possible.

New host for Rising Stars competition

The popular Rising Stars velvet competition will

be hosted by the Waipa branch of NZDFA from

next year. The next competition will be held on 18

February 2012. The venue has just been confirmed

as the Te Awamutu Racing Club.

For further information contact Graham Lawson,

0272-468-149, [email protected]

The Tradedeer and DINZ websites will be carrying

updates on the arrangements for the competition.

labour, for example, aligned to what you would find on farms of different sizes. They noted that some benefits, such as genetic improvement and vertical integration through the value chain were hard to quantify. Intangible costs couldn’t be included in the cost benefit analysis, so the figures provided by the study were quite conservative.

The larger scale farms using advanced systems seemed to get the greatest benefit and the fastest payback, while small scale enterprises took longer to recoup the fixed cost of the technology, but there was potential variation in the cost benefits on individual farms because of variations in how well the technology is utilised. It was possible that smaller enterprises may not be so motivated to do regular weight checks or develop pasture utilisation models.

The students said their cost benefit analysis covered only the first year after implementation and that the benefits could increase in subsequent years as farmers learned how to make better use of the technology and the data accumulated.



general news

Andrew Fraser awarded Vietnam trip South Canterbury deer farmer Andrew Fraser has been awarded a free trip on the inaugural ANZ Vietnam Exporter Tour next year to explore the expansion of his deer velvet exports and hunting safaris business into Vietnam.

Mt Cecil Trophy Deer in Hunter, South Canterbury, won the competition from a range of agribusinesses that submitted applications at the National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek in June.

“We chose Mt Cecil stud because Andrew and Wendy Fraser run such a great operation on their 2,250-hectare farm with dairy, deer velvet and a fledgling hunting safaris business, Mt Cecil Safaris,” said Graham Turley, ANZ Managing Director, Commercial and Agri. “They are excellent role models for farming businesses – demonstrating smart financial management and cost control, and good strategic planning and development.

“We hope that this all expenses paid trip will help open up more export opportunities for their deer velvet export operation and Mt Cecil Safaris.

“Vietnam is one of the most important agri-producing countries in the Asia region. It is a growth market in its own right, and is also a stepping stone into China.

“We know from our exporter tours to Shanghai last year that these trips are a great opportunity to network with and meet with key contacts offshore and start building relationships on the ground and with fellow exporters.”

Andrew Fraser said his deer farm already exported velvet to Korea and was keen to explore new growth markets such as Vietnam.

“New Zealand deer velvet is world-class and it will be good to explore the potential of Vietnam. We would also like to take the opportunity to introduce Vietnamese and other Asian countries to New Zealand’s tourist attractions, in particular our trophy hunting operation,” Andrew said.

The ANZ Vietnam Exporter Tour will take place in March or

April next year. The programme will be made up of visiting on-ground case studies of people operating or trading in Vietnam, workshops with key professionals who can advise on the legal and financial aspects of trading in the Vietnamese environment and give practical local insights and tips; and networking opportunities.

AndrewFraser(left)with GrahamTurley,ANZManagingDirector,CommercialandAgri.

WAPITI VENISON SIRE SALEMONDAY 23RD JANUARY 2012 at 1.00pm

On offer, a good selection of 3 year old Fiordland and NZ Wapiti and Red/Elk

Cross Bulls

234 Piakonui Road, Walton, MatamataAll deer TB and Johne’s tested. Our C8 TB status will have no negative impact on the destination herd’s current TB status.

Mike Steiner 027 439 2444 or 07 880 9979

Graeme Churstain 021 735 857

Harley Steiner 027 431 7431 or 07 888 3958

Paul Lamp 027 442 6477


general news

The sheer cheek of itFrom our “take this with as many grains of salt as you like” department: A wildlife park in China has called for advice after a ram and a hind began mating – and became inseparable.

A posting on the park’s microblog posed the question: “What do you do when a ram falls in love with a deer?” It asked readers whether they agreed it would be “unethical” to let the unusual pairing continue.

“They do not want to be separated but it is unethical to let them go on,” said the posting, addressed to users of China’s hugely popular weibos – microblogging services similar to Twitter that have taken the country by storm.

The romantic liaison hit headlines earlier this month after a local television station in the southwestern province of Yunnan picked up on the story, reporting that attempts to separate the pair had been unsuccessful.

The ram – whose Chinese name Changmao means Long Hair – had “completely integrated himself into deer society” after being placed in a pen with the animals, the Global Times reported.

The animal park handlers say that Changmao has integrated itself into the deer herd and is now the dominate male. The ram now mates with the six hinds in the herd, although Chunzi is his favourite.

“The sheep and the deer have been in love with each other since last year,” Li Li, a park keeper, told the China Daily, which said the pair would now be allowed to stay together.

Deer Industry News would, naturally, be keen to hear of any inter-species hanky-panky on New Zealand deer farms. All reports will of course be treated in the strictest confidence.

Cartoon:RoryStewart,Words&PicturesStorysource:www.news.com.au

Mon 9th Jan, 7

pm

ELITE STAG SALE

WORLD CHAMPIONS

Awards●2011 SCNODFA Overall Supreme Award●2011 SCNODFA Red Hard Antler Champion●2010 3yr Red Hard Antler Award●2010 National Rising Stars Supreme Trophy Award

MORPHEUS DG29 Nov 11

The Finest 2yr Stags & Yearling HindsFrom the consistent breeder of

BBQ 6pm

HUNERIC DG29 Nov 11

Awards●2009 2yr National Hard Antler Champion

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640 @ 4yrsChampion Hard Antler

570 @ 4yrs

MENTOR DG2yrs

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435 @ 2yrsAwards●2011 Nat. Rising Stars Supreme Trophy Award●2011 2yr National Hard Antler Champion●2011 SCNODFA 2yr Red Hard Antler Champion

2011 HA Weight 15.2kg

Don 0274 955 007Kelly 0274 324 215

Latest Photos & Vids on-line

www.deergeneticsnz.co.nz


general news

“Morpheus the monster” causing a stirSouth Canterbury breeders Don and Kelly Bennett are keenly awaiting this year’s five-year-old scoring results for their elite sire stag, Morpheus DG, following the “phenomenal growth” of his antlers.

Morpheus DG has won multiple national and regional awards and attained an independent SCI (based) score of 640 at four years, a record for a four-year-old stag.

Don describes Morpheus’s head as “developing very well this year. It is very clean, aesthetically appealing with huge bottom gear, big beam and massive tops which are about to burst into multiple points. He is a monster.”

He explains that their secret is to stay ahead by fast tracking genetic gain using AI and embryo transfer programmes, and drawing on their 30-plus years of experience of picking heads the trophy industry is looking for. He comments that genetically superior dam lines have been a key to the firm’s success, something that takes generations to attain.

DGNZ shares its success by providing straws for sale from its top sires and holding an annual elite sire stag sale which this season will be on Monday 9 January at the company’s Woodbury block in Geraldine.

Here they will offer for sale two-year-old stags and yearling hinds hand picked from their elite mob, which Don believes will hold some young superstars.

The line-up of stags will include sons of Morpheus DG and Huneric DG, another of their award winners. The Deer Genetics team keep their clients updated with the stags’ progress through photos and videos on their website www.deergeneticsnz.co.nz and with personal views of the sire and sale stags near sale time.

Deer Genetics’ two-year-old stags have been scoring over 400, three-year-old stags over 500 and four-year old stags topping 600.

■ Article supplied

trade

.co.nz

deer

TAK

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EVenison, Velvet or TrophyAll the sales with all the details.

The best breeding research tool online.

e-mail - [email protected] PO Box 10 007 Rotorua (07)349 2151 or (027) 486 4341

w w w . t r a d e d e e r . c o . n z

Painting by Julie Greig

Record two-year-old velvet weight?Denfield Don, a two-year-old Huneric DG son has just cut 8.81 kg velvet, pictured here being displayed by owner, Kevin Edge. According to Deer Genetics this is the heaviest-ever recorded head for a two-year-old. Deer Genetics will be offering semen for sale from Denfield Don, subject to collection.

Morpheus–photographed29November2011.


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Parasite control: Understanding the enemy ❚ by Claire Grant

The New Zealand deer industry has taken steps towards improving deer parasite control.

Deer parasites are a major research focus at present, and the DEEResearch multi-year parasite control project is a concentrated effort to look at long-term effective and sustainable control of internal parasites.

AgResearch deer group leader Dr Geoff Asher explained the research has to be home-grown to suit farmed deer in our distinctive environment, rather than relying on any overseas studies.

“Parasites have evolved over millions of years – they’re not going away. All we can do is effectively control them and we have to manage accordingly, but unless we understand the basics of their effects on the animal, we may be targeting a lot of money in the wrong direction.”

The initial focus of the research has therefore been basic biology. It is known that some deer, as in sheep and other species, are more susceptible to worm burdens than others. However the industry is stymied without the necessary information.

Three years into the project though, some interesting facts are beginning to emerge.

As deer farmers know, parasite control currently depends largely on products originally developed for other species. It was assumed, as deer farming developed, that deer parasites were similar to those in other livestock and that control needs were similar.

However, we know now that is not the case. Some drenches are less effective in deer than in cattle and sheep and there are indications now that there are parasites unique to deer.

Project outlineThere is uncertainty and confusion in the industry about deer drenching. Vets are confronted with conflicting information and different science; what is needed is hard information and strategies.

It’s the role of the joint AgResearch and Massey research group to answer the basic questions about what is happening in the deer gut and their immune system to get an understanding of how to diagnose parasitism, what species of parasites deer carry, what damage they do and what controls work, to better target strategies and chemicals.

That started with a systematic inventory of what is already known globally, where the gaps are, and what research was needed.

Geoff Asher likened the project to a jigsaw puzzle. “We have some pieces but don’t know where they fit, and we know there are pieces missing, so it’s a matter of assembling the information bit by bit.”

He believes it’s unlikely a “silver bullet” solution will become available to control parasites; rather it will be an incremental range of strategies developing that will not only be more effective, but will also help promote New Zealand’s clean, green image.

For instance, if the parasite relationships are better understood between deer and other livestock, mixed mobs could be managed to reduce infection in pasture. Or there could be more strategic chemical intervention at certain

Deeraremostsusceptibletoparasitesintheirfirstyearoflife.Photo:RichardHilson.


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times of the year to optimise effectiveness at peaks in the parasite lifecycle. Even understanding the parasite life cycle has a big effect on managing infection.

Started three years ago, the scientists are just staring to publish papers on the biology of specific deer parasites.

Objectives of the parasite research project

1. To understand what parasites are infecting deer – are they shared across other livestock, host-specific, or both?

2. To understand the pathogenicity of those identified parasites – specifically what damage each of them are doing to deer.

3. To develop better diagnostic tools that indicate infection, allowing faster identification and treatment.

4. To understand the efficacy and effectiveness of existing drenches specifically in deer.

5. To understand anthelmintic resistance.

Current parasite research Several objectives and trials are currently being run in tandem.

AgResearch senior veterinary scientist Dr Colin Mackintosh is working with Dr Ian Sutherland of the AgResearch Hopkirk Centre, Professor Bill Pomroy from Massey University and PhD student Daniella Tapia-Escarate on one of the projects.

Other projects include developing diagnostic tests and understanding the activity of anthelmintics, which are linked to the drench efficacy and drench resistance work of Southland vet Dave Lawrence at Mararoa Station near Te Anau.

The group at the Hopkirk Centre has developed new tests for identifying parasite species more accurately. “We are starting at a species level, developing precise molecular tools to identify each specific parasite species. It’s impossible to determine what the parasites are simply by looking at them, so it’s getting down to a genetic level – made possible by technology developed over recent years, such as DNA probes.”

Then the scientists are looking at the effect the parasites are having. The group at Massey have recently completed a study of the pathogenic effects of stomach and intestinal parasites in young red deer weaners. They showed that even moderate burdens of intestinal worms caused quite severe disease in these young animals. “We assume all parasites affect production to some degree, but some may be more

serious than others and we need to target them first,” Asher said.

“We also need to know what effect sheep and cattle parasites may have on deer and whether cross-grazing with sheep and cattle can be used as a method of controlling deer parasites without adverse consequences. These DNA tests will help us to identify parasites and assess the effects of different parasites on production.”

A recent study at AgResearch Invermay investigated other diagnostic tests. Last year they showed that the faecal egg count test for gut worms and the faecal larval count test for lungworms are useful in weaners in autumn when they are first exposed to parasites, but by the following spring the tests are inaccurate and give many false negative results. (See Deer Industry News, June/July 2011, page 40.) This is probably because the deer are becoming resistant to parasites and are suppressing their egg laying, leading to very low counts, even though there may be worms present.

There has also been a preliminary study on the CARLA® Saliva test, which was developed for sheep by AgResearch Animal Health. This test for antibodies against an antigen produced by gut worms is very useful for selecting replacement hoggets that have developed resistance to gut worms and can pass this trait onto their offspring. It shows signs of promise for deer and further trials are underway this season on three deer farms. Concurrently, they are studying differences in parasite resistance between red deer and wapiti.

Don’t expect new chemicalsIt’s clear that chemical intervention alone cannot be relied on long term, but Asher warns not to rely on new chemicals coming on stream any time soon either, given the complexity of such work and massive investment chemical companies need to make for this to happen.

The group are planning to take a good look at how existing deer drenches work, to understand the pharmacokinetics of anthelmintics in deer – how the active ingredients are absorbed and metabolised by deer – through blood testing to assess how high the blood level reaches and how long it lasts in the body. This can be used to estimate efficacy and length of action.

This will help them to understand what happens with deer and parasites in the long term as resistance to anthelmintics spreads. There is much anecdotal information on drench resistance but little hard data, so it’s important this issue is clarified. A wide range of farms and environments will be checked.

Lungworminthemajorairwayinthelung.

Thickenedabomasalliningduetoparasitism.


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Controlling worms in young deerWhile researchers continue on their quest to better understand internal parasites in deer and develop better ways of controlling them, deer farmers have to get on and deal with the problem using the available tools. Dr Colin Mackintosh, veterinarian at AgResearch Invermay, gives some general advice on the use of anthelmintics to control parasites in young deer

Some questions farmers askWhen should I start worming my weaners? What anthelmintic should I use? How often should I treat them? Do I need to treat weaners in spring?

Simple answers to easy questions –yeah, right!

• Everyfarmisdifferent:Factors include topography and pasture, stocking rate, red versus red/wapiti hybrids versus wapiti, pre-rut versus post-rut weaning, cross-grazing with sheep or cattle, breeding versus finishing, winter feeding regime, history of anthelmintic use (and misuse) and degree of anthelmintic resistance.

• Everyseasonisdifferent:Weather conditions vary, especially rainfall in summer and autumn.

• Generaladvice:Have a basic animal health programme that includes parasite control for your farm and livestock. Each year fine-tune it according to season, experience and expert veterinary advice.

Deer parasites 101• Deer are most susceptible to parasites in their first year

of life. Lungworms are the biggest risk in late summer/early autumn. If they are not controlled early, levels of challenge can mount quickly. Deer can cope with light burdens, but heavy burdens can cause deaths.

• Gastro-intestinal (GI) worms become increasingly important in mid/late autumn. Moderate burdens reduce growth rates and heavy burdens cause diarrhoea and death.

• Red deer develop varying degrees of resistance to parasites with age and exposure. Usually red deer are relatively resistant in spring if they have had exposure in autumn.

• Wapiti and wapiti hybrids appear more susceptible to parasites, don’t develop resistance as readily and require treating for longer. Consult your vet for advice.

When to start treating for lungworm?• High-riskseasons/farms(warmwetsummer,high

stocking rates, etc.) Drench from early February (or even late January) to

prevent early build up of lungworm.• Medium-riskseasons/farms(hotdrysummers,

moderate stocking rate etc.) Drench from late February/March or at weaning.• Low-riskseasons/farms(droughtseason,low

stocking rate) Drench in March at weaning or at post-rut weaning.• Regular faecal larval counts (FLCs) can be used to

monitor lungworm burdens (pick up clean fawn

samples from deer camps), but need to be every week from late January. Start drenching immediately there is a sudden rise in FLC.

What anthelmintic should I use? Tricky…A few years ago this was easy to answer: pour-on anthelmintics.

Recently things appear to have changed. Pour-ons appear not working as well as they used to on some farms. There is evidence of increasing anthelmintic resistance, especially in wapiti. The problem is made more complicated by the differences in potency between similar anthelmintics. Within the moxidectin/mectin family, it is generally accepted that moxidectin is the most potent against gastro-intestinal parasites, followed by abamectin and doramectin, while ivermectin is the least potent.

Therefore if you have some resistance appearing against say ivermectin, then you could change to a more potent mectin/moxidectin. However, if resistance is appearing to moxidectin, there is no point changing to a less potent mectin. For this reason I would not recommend using ivermectin in any formulation if there is any sign of moxidectin/mectin resistance on a farm.

Latest adviceIf possible, avoid the use of pour-ons. Use anthelmintics that are effective on your property. This may be an oral or injectable anthelmintic where a pour-on’s efficacy is questionable. But, because all injections and many orals are “off-label” (not registered for use in deer), they must be used with care and good veterinary advice.

Off-label use of products not registered for use in deer, whether combination orals or injectable, has potential drawbacks. Animals may be under-dosed because accurate dose rates for deer have not been established; this may lead to resistance to that molecule or product. Additionally, because these products are not registered for use in deer, there is a defaultmeatwithholdingtime(WHT)of91daysforoff-labeluse.

If anthelmintic resistance has been shown to be present, it may still be possible to use that active, but in combination with another anthelmintic, either a commercial combination drench or by using two different drench actives at the same time.

Anthelmintic options and WHTsOral white drenches WHT

Oxfen C® (oxfendazole), Panacur® (fenbendazole) or Albendazole C®/Valbazen® (albendazole) (7–14 days)These have no prolonged activity and must be used at 21-day intervals in late summer and autumn. Dose rates may need to be increased and interval reduced in periods of heavy lungworm challenge.


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Oral moxidectin and other mectins WHTCydectin® and Exodus® (moxidectin, which is the most potent mectin)

Default

Suggested use at 4–5-week intervalsGenesis®, Paramectin Oral® (abamectin) DefaultSuggested use at 4-week intervalsBomectin®, Ivomec® and Noromectin® (ivermectin)

Default

Do not use if mectin resistance is present.Suggested use at 3-week intervals

InjectionsCydectin® (moxidectin) 49 days†Suggested use at 4–5-week intervals†The results of a recent residue study using Cydectin Injection® for cattle and sheep (ACVM No. A5979) has been accepted by NZFSA, and it showed no residues at 49 days after injection, but the prescribing vet must advise client that the injection must be subcutaneous and exactly 0.2 mg/kg (1ml/50kg); ie, weigh the deer!Genesis® and Paramectin® (abamectin) DefaultDectomax® (doramectin) DefaultSuggested use at 4-week intervalsBomectin®, Combat®, Ivomec®, Nitromec® and Noromectin® (ivermectin)

Default

Suggested use at 3-week intervals

Combinations: Premixed oral combinations (NB levamisole has little or no activity in deer so is a waste of money. A double or triple combination with levamisole is unlikely to be any more effective than the other active ingredient(s) by itself.)Concur® and Scanda® – oxfendazole (+ levamisole)

Default

Arrest C®, Duell®, Leviben® and Strategik® – albendazole (+ levamisole)

Default

Suggested use at 3-week intervalsConverge® and Switch® – abamectin (+ levamisole)

Default

Suggested use at 4 week intervalsAlliance®, Evolve® and Matrix® – abamectin + oxfendazole (+ levamisole)

Default

Troika® – abamectin + albendazole (+ levamisole)

Default

Suggested use at 4 week intervals

Combinations:Usingtwoanthelminticsatthesametime (but do not mix)

(a) Use two oral anthelmintics sequentially, eg, white drench, then a moxidectin or other mectin.

(b) Use a white oral plus an injection or pour-on at the same time. If both drugs are “on label”, eg white oral drench and moxidectin/mectin pour-on, then the WHT will be the longer of the two registered treat-ments. If any off-label product is being used, the WHT will be the default.

Use at suggested interval for most potent component.

Control of Johne’s disease, management principles and a perspective on genetics

❚ by Solis Norton, Project Manager, Johne’s Management Limited

If there is a “premium resource in the fight against Johne’s disease (JD)”, it is obviously Johne’s Management Ltd (JML). We have the network and the resources for controlling this disease. The Johne’s Consultant Network (JCN) of specialist veterinarians experienced in JD problems and management solutions work with individual farmers, combining available control options in a way that suits each farm situation. Over the past three years we’ve established a very positive track record and next year we will be even more proactive

JD management JML’s Technical Manual is the most comprehensive resource available on JD in deer. All deer farmers should have a copy of the closely related Farmer’s Manual and extra copies can be ordered through 0800 456 453. The manual identifies critical factors for controlling the disease as:

1. Keeping a closed herd.2. Minimising transmission within farm by knowing your

farm’s status and acting accordingly.(a) Get in touch with a JCN vet; they’re there to help

and they know JD.(b) Use testing where appropriate. (c) Absolutely minimise the chance of your young

deer being exposed to stock with JD. 3. Minimising stress on your deer. 4. Keeping good records and making the most of your vet.

Don’t just use them as the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff – work with them to develop an animal health plan, maximising the health of your deer and optimising the profitability of your farm.

Research is also identifying promising genetic possibilities as another tool in the box for JD control. (see “Genetic resilience to Johne’s disease” below). JML and the Johne’s Consultant Network can help you make the most cost effective and efficient use of the tools available. The Deer Progeny Test will help compare resilience to JD in stags from different studs.

Looking ahead to 2012A key goal over the next six months is to work with the 60 farms with the highest prevalence of JD-like lesions in their processed deer. The aim is to help these farmers assess the severity of JD on their property, to link them with a JCN vet and establish a suitable on-farm control programme.

Achieving this goal will benefit the individual farmers through improving productivity on their farms. It will also benefit the deer industry by reducing the number of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP)-infected deer that are processed or traded. Finally, it will benefit the industry by providing JML critical information that will enable us to estimate the costs of JD within the deer industry more accurately and fine tune our efforts and areas of key action accordingly.

Another goal for 2012 is to promote the new Voluntary JD Declaration Form, which has been designed under the



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Johne’s Research Group 2 Sustainable Farming Fund and industry-funded programme to reduce the transmission of JD between farms. It provides those buying and selling deer with an understanding of the sellers’ efforts to fight JD.

This voluntary but verified declaration is in the best interests of the seller to promote their JD control activity and it is in the best interests of anyone buying deer to ensure their purchase has minimal risk of the disease. It has been developed over the past three years by the Johne’s Research Group 2 and a copy is included as an insert with this issue of the Deer Industry News. It takes minutes to fill in and could save you years of productivity loss. The reference to records and past history on the form are also useful prompts to intending purchasers to ask relevant questions related to the farm and stock for sale and engage in a constructive conversation on the whole area of risk avoidance

Genetic resilience to Johne’s diseaseThe potential of genetic resilience to control Johne’s disease in deer is a hot topic at present (see “Genetics a frontline weapon in war on Johne’s” in the October 2011 Deer Industry News, page 8). The October article will heighten discussion, but it needs to be interpreted carefully. JML offers the following comments to give a wider perspective on mixing science and marketing.

The scientific study on which the article is based is good. One should conclude from it that genetics does indeed have an impact on resilience to JD in deer. The study was recently published by Mackintosh et al. (2011) in Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology (vol 43, pg 131–142). It describes evaluation of resilience to MAP (the mycobacterium that causes JD) in nine offspring from a resilient stag and nine offspring from a susceptible stag. These stags both came from the same stud and it is important to remember this point. Offspring from the resilient stag had fewer clinical cases of JD, a higher weight gain, and lower lesion severity score relative to offspring from the susceptible stag (Mackintosh et al 2011). This is exciting stuff and supported by previous research in deer and other species.

For example, Jersey cows are less resilient to JD than other dairy breeds, even though the reason why is not clear (Withers 1959; Cetinkaya et al 1997; Jakobsen et al 2000; Norton et al 2009). Similarly, anecdotal evidence suggests merino sheep are less resilient to JD than other sheep breeds. A comparable observation is made in Mackintosh’s paper; some families or groups of deer experience higher incidence of clinical disease than others. In related research, the resistance of deer to Tb (which is very closely related to JD) is also influenced by genetics (Mackintosh et al 2000).

So, yes, genetics does seem to have an impact on JD in deer.

But the marketing part of the Deer Industry News article starts when the genetics of the study herd are claimed to be “the premium resource in the fight against JD” with their stags “becoming well known throughout the industry for their JD resilience”. There are two major issues with these claims, particularly since the article is under the banner of research.

First, the study only compared two stags from one stud. How the resilience of these stags would compare with that of stags from another stud remains unknown. They may be more resilient, or less. If the study had compared stags from 20

other studs, and if offspring from those 20 other studs had all been like that of the susceptible stag, then the claim may be valid. But until a multi-stud comparison is made, the most than can be said is that resilience to JD varies substantially within the study herd. Better information on the relative resilience of a wider range of stags will come out of the deer industry’s Deer Progeny Test which began this year.

Second, for the foreseeable future at least, the fight against JD will be won using a combination of management, testing, resilient genetics, possibly vaccination and other tools. There is no single approach on the horizon and the article indicates this with Colin Mackintosh’s very true advice that research does not promise any quick-fix solutions. Do not find yourself thinking “If I just bought a resilient stag I’d have the problem licked”. It’s not that simple, but certainly do watch this space, because all areas of JD control continue to be investigated and evaluated for their potential to help the deer industry control the disease.

A closing noteWith Christmas now just around the corner, a closing note for 2011 seems in order. Experienced Australian JD researcher Richard Whittington wrote in a recent review that “it would appear that the tools are available to reduce JD on dairy cattle operations”. I believe the same is true for deer. It is a case of making the most of what we have, particularly JML but all the tools in the JD toolbox too, while we wait for more, new and better control options. That said, clinical trials and research will greatly help in fine-tuning effective management programmes (Windsor and Whittington 2010).

JML wishes all a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and prosperous 2012.

■ Contact: Solis Norton Project manager, JML: 0800 456 453

ReferencesCetinkayaB,ErdoganH,MorganK(1997) Relationships between the presence of Johne’s disease and farm management factors in dairy cattle in England. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 32, 253–66.

Jakobsen M, Alban L, Nielsen S (2000) A cross-sectional study of paratuberculosis in 1155 Danish dairy cows. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 46, 15–27.

MackintoshC,QureshiT,WaldrupK,LabesR,DoddsK,Griffin J (2000) Genetic resistance to experimental infection with Mycobacterium bovis in red deer (Cervus elaphus). Infection and Immunity 68, 1620–5.

Mackintosh C, Clark R, Tolentino B, De Lisle G, Liggett S, Griffin J (2011) Immunological and pathological responses of red deer resistant or susceptible genotypes to experimental challenge with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 143, 131–42.

NortonS,HeuerC,JacksonR(2009) A questionnaire based case control study of Johne’s disease on New Zealand dairy farms. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 57, 34–43.

Windsor P and Whittington R (2010) Evidence for age susceptibility of cattle to Johne’s disease. The Veterinary Journal 184, 3–44.

Withers F (1959) Johne’s disease II. Incidence of the disease. Veterinary Record 71, 1150–3.



research

Sire summariesANALySIS dATe: 1 december 2011

❚ by Jamie Ward, AgResearch

These summaries list sire estimated breeding values calculated from a single analysis of information from herds located around New Zealand. This analysis enables the genetic performance of the sires used in these herds to be compared on the same basis, after differences in environment have been removed.

To appear on the list a stag must have a minimum of five progeny recorded, have a minimum accuracy for 12-month weight estimated breeding value of 75% and have progeny born in the last two years. One list contains European and composite stags and the other list contains English stags. The estimated breeding values on the two lists are directly comparable (providing both lists have the same analysis date recorded).

The information presented is for growth, meat yield and reproduction, with the traits being:

• weightat12months(W12)• carcassweightat12months(CW)• matureweightofhinds(MWT)• conceptiondate(CD).

Both the estimated breeding values (eBV) and the accuracy of each estimated breeding value (acc%) are reported. Number of progeny is reported as “number recorded in the last two years/total number recorded” where the two numbers differ. The lists are ranked in descending order, based on the breeding value for 12-monthweight(W12eBV). The list for English stags contains the top 10 of 26 stags; the list for European and composite contains the top 30 of 345 stags.

Full, sortable lists are available on the DEEResearch website, clicking on the breeding values link on the home page: www.deeresearch.org.nz

Conception date is estimated from ultrasound scanning of hinds between days 30 and 70 of pregnancy to determine fetal age. Note that a negative conception date eBV means that on average the daughters from that stag would conceive earlier than those from a stag with a positive conception date eBV. In this instance a negative eBV would generally be considered to be favourable. The units for

conception date eBVs are days. As recording for this trait is not yet widespread, only animals with accuracies of greater than 40% have conception date eBVs reported.

Economic indexesThree economic indexes provide information on the economic balance between traits for different situations a stag might be used in.

1. Replacement–EarlyKill Stag used to breed replacement hinds in a herd with a

relatively early kill profile targeting the spring schedule premiums.

Relatively high value is placed on additional growth potential and earlier calving to meet spring premiums with a greater number of animals.

2. Replacement–LateKill Stag to breed replacement hinds, but used in a

herd with a later kill profile with a relatively smaller proportion of animals killed in spring (as yearlings).

Greater emphasis is placed on maintaining a lower mature weight, with less emphasis on growth and early conception.

3. Terminal Stag used as a terminal sire, with no daughters kept as

replacements.

The sole emphasis is on growth traits, with no emphasis on mature weight or conception date of daughters.

Further information on the construction of these indexes is contained in a report on the DEEResearch website.

DISCLAIMER: While every endeavour has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this report SIL and AgResearch expressly disclaims any and all liabilities that may arise from the use of the information.

Table 1: English top 10 stags ranked by W12eBV

Rank (W12 eBV) Birth Herd Birth Tag Current Tag

No Progeny W

12 eB

V

W12

Acc

CW eB

V

CW A

cc

MW

T eBV

MW

T Acc

CD eB

V

CD A

cc

R-EarlyKill R-LateKill Terminal Current Flock Prefix1 Pelorus Deer 9829/98 TOBY 70/337 10.9 0.98 5.9 0.89 6.6 0.89 10.56 9.39 19.78 Peel Forest Estate2 Stanfield English 95068/95 68/95 28/61 9.3 0.92 5.7 0.84 5.1 0.79 10.63 8.53 19.2 Pelorus Deer3 Stanfield English 03254/03 DARTAGNION 88/171 7.1 0.96 3.6 0.88 4.4 0.83 6.38 5.64 11.7 Stanfield English4 Stanfield English 011440/01 ARAGORN 102/351 5.7 0.98 3.6 0.91 4.1 0.88 6.66 6.71 12.78 Stanfield English5 Canterbury Imp Red Deer 96053/96 96053 2/221 4.7 0.96 2.5 0.88 4 0.88 -3.2 0.78 4.64 4.14 7.84 Canterbury Imp Red Deer6 Canterbury Imp Red Deer 02758/02 02758 16/162 4.6 0.79 1.8 0.72 3.2 0.67 2.51 3.23 5.37 Leamington7 Pelorus Deer 9838/98 BIG MAC 12/120 3 0.95 1 0.86 3.2 0.84 0.76 2.13 3.2 Peel Forest Estate8 Peel Forest Estate 02501/02 02501 18/67 2.9 0.93 1.3 0.85 0.9 0.77 2.1 1.73 3.77 Peel Forest Estate9 Stanfield English 99018/99 WILLIAM JOHN 18/471 2.7 0.98 1.5 0.9 0.9 0.84 3.33 3.13 4.84 Foveran Deer Stud

10 Stanfield English 04106/04 04106 24/39 2.5 0.88 1 0.82 0.8 0.73 1.62 1.59 2.6 Stanfield English



research

Table 2: European and composite top 30 stags ranked by W12eBV

Rank (W12 eBV) Birth Herd Birth Tag Current Tag No Progeny

W12 eBV

W12 Acc

CW eBV

CW Acc

MWT eBV

MWT Acc

CD eBV

CD Acc R-EarlyKill R-LateKill Terminal Current Flock Prefix

1 Deer Improvement MFCF-08-122/08

GAGARIN 23 25.7 0.85 13.4 0.79 17 0.68 -3.7 0.51 23.01 20.57 44.46 Deer Improvement

2 Canterbury Imp Red Deer

31/04 SONNY BILL 74/99 25.1 0.94 12.2 0.86 25.1 0.8 -3.8 0.52 15.68 14.89 38.48 Canterbury Imp Red Deer


SIBERIA 34 24.6 0.87 12.9 0.8 17.4 0.69 -2.5 0.48 21.25 19.24 42.81 Deer Improvement

4 Black Forest Park 06168/06 06168 25 23.7 0.86 11.6 0.78 20.7 0.73 -1.8 0.4 15.85 15.58 37.21 Black Forest Park


MOSCOW 60 23.7 0.92 12.3 0.84 18.4 0.74 -2 0.5 19.51 18.04 41.13 Deer Improvement


KREMLIN 11 23.7 0.81 12.4 0.75 16.8 0.65 -2.2 0.47 20.18 18.07 40.9 Deer Improvement


301/07 RODGER RODGER

9 23.2 0.83 10.8 0.76 20.9 0.68 14.26 14.53 33.64 Canterbury Imp Red Deer


DRESDEN 19 22.9 0.83 11.9 0.77 15.6 0.67 -5.8 0.44 20.4 17.24 38.3 Deer Improvement


BERLIN 35 22.8 0.88 11.8 0.81 14.7 0.72 -5.3 0.47 20.08 17.31 37.51 Deer Improvement

10 Landcorp Butler 205/07 205/07 13 22.3 0.85 10.5 0.78 15.6 0.71 -2.4 0.52 16.54 16.15 33.99 Landcorp Butler

11 Deer Improvement 07149/07 TUSCANY 61 22.3 0.93 11.3 0.86 14.6 0.76 -6.9 0.58 19.57 16.49 35.5 Deer Improvement

12 Deer Improvement 06306/06 CZAR 163/302 21.9 0.98 11.7 0.92 18 0.87 -1.7 0.81 18.95 17.19 40.26 Criffel Station

13 Remarkables Park Deer Farm

62/05 LUCIANO 105/211 21.6 0.98 11.3 0.92 13.6 0.85 -8.7 0.81 20.95 17.24 35.92 Deer Improvement

14 Deer Improvement 06259/06 BREMEN 275/394 21.5 0.98 10.9 0.91 12.7 0.84 -7.6 0.7 19.76 16.53 34.36 Deer Improvement

15 Peel Forest Estate 07376/07 07376 13 21.4 0.84 11.3 0.78 16 0.67 18.48 16.88 37.3 Peel Forest Estate


TOLSTOY 11 21.3 0.81 10.6 0.76 17.6 0.67 -1.8 0.49 15.74 15.08 34.8 Deer Improvement


ROCKY 60 21.2 0.91 10.5 0.83 14.4 0.74 -2.9 0.49 16.72 14.56 33.3 Deer Improvement

18 Black Forest Park 02P162/02 KURGAN 10/108 21.2 0.95 11 0.87 21.4 0.85 0.8 0.56 13.43 13.52 35.59 Black Forest Park

19 Wilkins Farming 27/08 27/08 6 21.2 0.81 10.5 0.74 14.9 0.66 -4.4 0.5 16.71 14.75 32.9 Wilkins Farming

20 Peel Forest Estate 07360/07 07360 6 20.9 0.81 10.8 0.74 16.9 0.67 16.63 16 35.43 Peel Forest Estate


291/07 YEAH RIGHT WHATEVER

5 20.6 0.8 10.9 0.73 17.5 0.67 16.78 15.78 35.58 Canterbury Imp Red Deer

22 Peel Forest Estate 03556/03 ATLAS 24/111 20.6 0.96 10.3 0.89 18.8 0.81 -3.4 0.53 14.89 13.85 33.32 Peel Forest Estate

23 Deer Improvement 06305/06 COMMODORE 141/217 20.5 0.97 10.7 0.9 14.7 0.81 -1.8 0.73 17.32 15.51 35.22 Deer Improvement


CAPTAIN 60 20.4 0.88 10.1 0.81 13.3 0.68 -2.2 0.42 16.44 15.45 32.62 Deer Improvement

25 Doncaster Deer Partnership

05063/05 CORLEONE 14/39 20.2 0.92 10.2 0.85 15.2 0.77 -3.7 0.68 16.43 14.55 33.2 Deer Improvement

26 Doncaster Deer Partnership

06581/06 06581 47 20.1 0.89 10.2 0.83 17.3 0.72 -3.7 0.5 14.62 12.83 31.86 Doncaster Deer Partnership

27 Deer Improvement 06260/06 FRANCHISE 41/78 20.1 0.95 10.7 0.88 15.1 0.79 -2.9 0.68 18.58 16.44 36.88 Deer Improvement


MUNICH 74 20 0.9 10.3 0.83 13 0.73 -5.1 0.47 17.98 15.3 33.3 Deer Improvement

29 Wilkins Farming 66/07 MEGATOO 7 20 0.81 9.4 0.78 16.4 0.66 -2.5 0.48 12.77 12.23 28.75 Wilkins Farming

30 Stanfield Eastern 05068/05 5068/05 25 19.7 0.89 9.2 0.84 15.2 0.76 12.94 11.93 28.17 Wilkins Farming


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