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DEER INDUSTRY NEWSISSN 1176-0753

Also in this issue:

Issue 46 • February/March 2011 • Official magazine of Deer Industry New Zealand and the NZDFA

Safe travelS: p10

• “WhoDeersWins”–Deerindustryconferencepreview• SouthlandFocusFarmfielddayatStrathmore• Animalhealthroundup• Siresalereports• BranchChairmanprofile:JohnSomerville• Parasiteresistanceworsethanwethought• Centralprogenytestingsystemproposed

Stanfield, woburn & warnham offer our thanks to all our supporters at our 26th Annual Stud sire sale 10/01/11

STANFIELD’SEUROPEAN RED DEER STUD

Warnham Park Sussex

England

Woburn Abbey Bedfordshire

England

8 English stags over 200kg 6 english stags over 190kg

17/22 Eastern stags over 200kg – Av. Liveweight 212.54kgHeads to 11.2kg in full velvet x milan, heads to 10.04 stripped

(EST. 12kg in velvet) x Hotspur

For all enquiresincluding our latest semen packages from

some very exciting sires never before offered

CALL Clive jermy Mobile: 021 924 317 OR Ph: 03 317 9167

[email protected] www.stanfield.co.nz

LOT 1 EASTERN X MILAN

242KG L.W. HEAD LEFT ON 30 POINTS

MT CECIL STATION $17,000

LOT 1 X HOTSPUR

216KG L.W 10.04KG STRIPPED HARD ANTLER

SPOTBURN STATION $34,000

LOT 2 X MARS

189.5KG L.W. 8.02KG STRIPPED HARD ANTLER 29 POINTS 43.75” WIDE BRYCE HEARD $40,000

LOT 3 X WOBURN DRAKELOW

211KG L.W. HEAD STILL ON 31 POINTS

P&N BAY $13,000

LOT 29 X SIR EDMUND

10.48KG FULL VELVET 42” WIDE 28” SPAN

KELLY HUDSON / MT CECIL $22,000

LOT 2 EASTERN X MAX II

218KG L.W. 10.4KG FULL VELVET 26 POINTS

J SCURR $8000

– Av. Liveweight 184.17kg

introducing

an exciting new woburn sire x drakelow bloomsbury 220kg L.W. very heavy clean timber

standing at stanfield for woburn

STAN011 DIN FP Thanks_R.indd 1 9/02/11 6:03 PM

Issue No 46 • February/March 2011 3

Next generation is stepping up

As the 2011 breeding season rapidly approaches and the on-farm season starts again, a number of industry opportunities have developed, but

not without some challenges. These are new initiatives in leadership in deer productivity, genetics, deer health protection and enhancing profitability – especially profitability relative to competing land uses – backed by stable and positive velvet and venison returns.

For example over the next few months we will see the first exciting moves and the initial AI mating in a Central Progeny Test (CPT) programme established using top EBV deer from leading breeders into a fully recorded breeding programme on one property (see page 32 for more on this). Their progeny performance records will allow the current DEERSelect evaluation to be expanded into venison yield and other carcass traits, as well as the current growth, conception traits and economic indexes.

Alliance Group Ltd’s substantial support of this concept will also link into significant work with the Johne’s Disease Research Consortium, potentially extending this work into the genetic basis of Johne’s disease and other areas related to disease resistance.

Further complementary initiatives include development of X-ray technology in characterising superior venison carcasses from Silver Fern Farms, adding further innovation with Farm IQ’s programme with the ability to enhance the power of record keeping and selection, verification of pedigree and other drivers of profitability. Firstlight Foods too, has a PGP project underway evaluating genetics of carcass traits and superior growth performance, combining RFID trace-back and reporting and developing strong links

between finishers and breeders.

Innovative deer farmers are already far down the track utilising RFID recording for management and production analysis, combined with DNA pedigree. The huge gains made in velvet and trophy antler growth will be quickly paralleled in venison production. This is irrespective of the inevitable progression of NAIT and the potential to combine the common functions of NAIT and AHB, which will occupy much industry discussion this year.

Understanding of parasitism is being advanced through initiatives within the Elk and Wapiti Society and AgResearch’s Venison Supply Systems programme alongside the well-established nutrition, breeding and genetics work. On a wider scale, well backgrounded visions for eradication of Tb from New Zealand have been developed and will be trialled in the Hokonuis and Hauhangaroas.

Achieving a sound velvet selling platform and committed relationships with co-operative structures or independent buyers remains a challenge that is directly linked to the industry’s growth prospects and competitiveness.

These opportunities are leadership developments in their own right and coincide with the emergence of the next generation of deer industry innovators and leaders – something reflected in a welcome surge of youth and enthusiasm at Focus Farm field days, DFA velvet competitions, Branch activities and sales. This next generation of farm owners, managers, skilled staff, scientists and extension specialists are stepping up to take their place.

Some of these leaders in waiting contributed as Branch nominees at the October 2010 Branch Chairmen’s meeting, where they were introduced to the workings of the national DFA Executive and DINZ. This included perspectives on marketing programmes and the strategic venison and velvet antler five-year plans, research, the productivity strategy and the Focus Farms programme.

The next generation of deer industry leaders want better communications and are more comfortable using the internet and electronic media and better able to quickly search out relevant information and apply it to their farm management and productivity goals.

The 2011 deer industry conference committee has created the theme “Who Deers Wins” and as a challenging goal committed themselves to attracting this next generation to conference, not to be talked at, but to be actively involved

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]

Editorial and advertising enquiries: Words & Pictures, PO Box 27-221, Wellington, Ph 04 384 4688, Fax 04 384 4667, Email [email protected]

Cover: Safe transport of deer was one of the themes at the Focus Farm field day held at George and Mary Scott’s Strathmore on 1 February. See pages 8–10. Photo: Stephen Grant

continued on page 4

ContentsEditorial: Next generation stepping up......................................................................... 3Deer industry conference:2011 Deer Industry Conference preview ............................................................................. 4NZDFA Annual General Meeting .......................................................................................... 6Focus Farms: Farmer profile: George and Mary Scott – Strathmore ................................................ 8 Weaning and transport – care needed .................................................................... 10Industry News: Korea – new market initiatives ................................................................................ 11 Venison marketing company activities: Silver Fern Farms ....................................... 12 Venison activities: Whiterock hosts cooking show; Rising stars ............................... 13Market Report: Velvet ........................................................................................................................ 14 Venison ...................................................................................................................... 15General news: Animal health roundup: Hawke’s Bay ...................................................................... 16 Sire sale reports ........................................................................................................ 21 Trilogy cleans up at Elk/Wapiti velvet competition .................................................. 23 New PGP company to benefit red meat industry ..................................................... 24 Obituary: Erik van Schreven ...................................................................................... 27 Carbon farming provides alternative revenue stream ............................................. 28Stagline supplement: NZDFA Branch Chairman profile: John Somerville ................................................... 26Research: Farmers urged to use BV data ................................................................................... 20 GI parasite resistance worse than we thought ......................................................... 29 Central progeny testing system proposed ................................................................ 32 Taking Johne’s disease seriously ............................................................................... 33

Stanfield, woburn & warnham offer our thanks to all our supporters at our 26th Annual Stud sire sale 10/01/11

STANFIELD’SEUROPEAN RED DEER STUD

Warnham Park Sussex

England

Woburn Abbey Bedfordshire

England

8 English stags over 200kg 6 english stags over 190kg

17/22 Eastern stags over 200kg – Av. Liveweight 212.54kgHeads to 11.2kg in full velvet x milan, heads to 10.04 stripped

(EST. 12kg in velvet) x Hotspur

For all enquiresincluding our latest semen packages from

some very exciting sires never before offered

CALL Clive jermy Mobile: 021 924 317 OR Ph: 03 317 9167

[email protected] www.stanfield.co.nz

LOT 1 EASTERN X MILAN

242KG L.W. HEAD LEFT ON 30 POINTS

MT CECIL STATION $17,000

LOT 1 X HOTSPUR

216KG L.W 10.04KG STRIPPED HARD ANTLER

SPOTBURN STATION $34,000

LOT 2 X MARS

189.5KG L.W. 8.02KG STRIPPED HARD ANTLER 29 POINTS 43.75” WIDE BRYCE HEARD $40,000

LOT 3 X WOBURN DRAKELOW

211KG L.W. HEAD STILL ON 31 POINTS

P&N BAY $13,000

LOT 29 X SIR EDMUND

10.48KG FULL VELVET 42” WIDE 28” SPAN

KELLY HUDSON / MT CECIL $22,000

LOT 2 EASTERN X MAX II

218KG L.W. 10.4KG FULL VELVET 26 POINTS

J SCURR $8000

– Av. Liveweight 184.17kg

introducing

an exciting new woburn sire x drakelow bloomsbury 220kg L.W. very heavy clean timber

standing at stanfield for woburn

STAN011 DIN FP Thanks_R.indd 1 9/02/11 6:03 PM

Deer Industry News44

deer industry conference

The NZDFA, host South Canterbury/North Otago Branch and Deer Industry New Zealand warmly invite you to the 36th Annual New Zealand Deer Industry Conference, to be held in Timaru’s spacious SBS Events Centre on the Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 May. The conference concludes with the keenly supported local Branch field day on the 19th, featuring the Opuha Dam and irrigation project, with a visit to look at the diverse enterprises on historic Raincliff Station, hosted by David Morgan and family. Quality motels and hotels have been reserved adjacent to Caroline Bay and the Timaru CBD to accommodate the 200-odd delegates, sponsors and guests. Transport to and from the venue will be part of the package – more details will be given with the registration form in March.

The local committee members are passionate about the conference theme Who Deers Wins and plan to create new features and formats for the event. Attendees need – and will get – added value for their businesses from conference.

Conference planning aims to build on the industry’s relative strength and the recent improvement in the velvet market.

The committee is keen to attract new faces and young deer farmers, while also attracting more experienced deer farmers who haven’t attended an industry conference for a while. Associated with the central themes are: building success and succession, sustainable profitability, bankable industry, innovation and good farming practice in an area tailor-made for excellence in deer farming.

Local deer farmers and NZDFA Branch members are being encouraged to support the conference and incentives will be offered for farmers to bring family members of key staff to the event and field day.

Individual session or day registrations are available and delegates are invited to bring partners, farm staff or friends interested in the deer industry to the Welcome Dinner and/or the Awards evening.

New-look programme We are building a programme that captures the locally developed style and themes. Delegates can be assured that speakers will have strong credentials and presentation skills. The sessions will be a mix of market and finance, science and technology, sustainability and profitability with personal challenges issued. Included will be a facilitated interchange between emerging new faces and established industry leaders. A Q&A session on the industry’s future in the final session will be open to delegates. This interchange is designed to develop confidence in deer farming for the next generation.

Finalised programme details will be on the website and in Stagline-online and there will be an electronic registration form available in early March as sponsorship and budgets are confirmed. The industry partners confirmed to date include Silver Fern Farms as the elite conference partner, Rabobank, Telford Rural Polytechnic (Lincoln University) and ProVelco. At this early stage there has also been encouraging interest shown by national and local trade and service organisations.

WHO DEERS WINS

Deer IndustryConference 2011

17-19 May 2011 - SBS Events Centre - Timaru

in the programme as key participants.

Our industry is poised to take further quantum steps in productivity, recognising new language, new aspirations and new levels of profitability. This signals confidence in our future. In recent months I’ve been privileged to engage with the thoughts and activities of the next generation. Alongside the passion for deer farming they have inherited through 40 years of endeavour by their parents and colleagues, there are new skills, new ideas and new demands against a background of a commitment to hard work and an admiration for the remarkable animal that shapes the fortunes of the deer industry.

We are in for some exciting times solidly based on the ongoing work from DINZ, DFA and individuals and we can look forward to Conference 2011 and the next round of the Focus Farms project to see some of this new opportunity in action.

■ Tony Pearse, Producer Manager, DINZ

Editorial from page 3



The NZDFA’s 36th AGM will kick off the meeting on Tuesday 17 May in a concise session from 11.00am – 1.30pm. This will be followed by a revamped introduction by DINZ before reviewing productivity, research and QA-related areas. This will also involve Focus Farmers and key personnel in research and technology transfer.

The Agribusiness sessions on Wednesday 18 May will take a different shape from earlier years. There will be an in-depth overview of the three export product streams: venison, velvet antler and byproducts. Presentations from DINZ and New Zealand processor/exporters will be complemented by contributions from in-market partners in all three areas, with additional emphasis on new trade incentives and market development.

While there will be an element of reporting, the plan is to add working detail and examples of opportunities that are underpinned by industry strategies. Concluding the day’s Agribusiness session will be the highlight of the young deer farmers’ forum and panel interchange.

Pat Johnston of Dunedin Conference Management Services returns as our conference organiser this year. Pat has a passion for this event and aims to assist the conference committee and NZDFA to attract locals and new faces.

The traditional Awards evening will feature the Deer Industry Award presented through NZX Rural and Countrywide, now incorporating The Deer Farmer.

The draft programme outline is:

Tuesday 17 May• Morning(until10.30am)BranchChairmen’smeeting

at the Grosvenor Hotel• 10.00amRegistrationopensatSBSEventsCentre• 11.00am–1.30pmSBSEventsCentre:NZDFAAGM• 1.30pm–2.00pmLightlunchinexhibitionarea• Afternoon:DINZFGMandproductivityprogramme.

The bare essentials from the Chairman and CEO• FocusFarmshighlights• Productivitypotentialfortheindustry:anewlookat

research, technology transfer, improving productivity and profitability

• Industryassurance,qualitysystems,traceabilityandadding value to deer returns

• From7.30pm:Welcomeevent,“TastesoftheRegion”(sponsors’ exhibition area). This exploration of McKenzie country salmon, high country merino lamb, local award-winning cheeses, cured meats, home-grown vegetables and pickles is highlighted with tender quality farmed-raised venison and followed by the region’s famous berry products – wallowing in ice creams and other rich dessert products from the area’s dairy industry. Selected wine, beers and non-alcoholic drinks will complement these courses.

• Theeveningfeaturesannouncementofthe2011Matuschka Award. Seating will be available for dining, but the idea is to encourage mixing, catching up with old and new friends, sponsors and others in the industry.

Wednesday 18 May• Agribusinessseminar

– Venison: marketing and prospects, a national and international perspective

– Velvet antler: marketing and prospects, a national and international perspective

– Byproducts: value and potential, featuring NZ Light Leathers “From paddock to Prada – the deer leather story”

– Who Deers Wins forum: a facilitated discussion for future success and ensuring confidence with a vision for the next generation.

• AnnualAwardsdinner,featuringthe27thDeerIndustry Award entertainment (SBS Events Centre).

Thursday 19 May

Local Branch field day. Planning is still underway, but it includes a trip to the Opuha dam with an update on this significant project and its irrigation and recreational value to the region. The field day then moves to the large and diverse property of Raincliff Station for an in-depth look at deer farming in association with irrigation, finishing, velvet production and cattle and dairy grazing. The SCNO committee promise an excellent day out. Travel will be arranged to ensure onward flights at the end of the day are met with ample time to spare.

Participation is the keyAs always, industry issues will be debated on the conference floor at the NZDFA AGM. Extensive time slots are also available for discussion during the DINZ session on 17 May and the Agribusiness session on 18 May following each session on venison, velvet antler and byproducts and major industry programmes. There will be further scope for discussion when there is an open Q&A session with the DINZ Board. The emphasis is on an informative, inexpensive and effective meeting that allows healthy debate, questions and answers from industry leaders and a balance of good, innovative social events and entertainment. There will be a formal partners’ programme for both days.

Registration/contactsRegistration will be in the experienced hands of Pat Johnston, Dunedin Conference Management Services.

For further information, contact: ■ Pat Johnston: 03 477 1377, 0274 983 408, [email protected]

■ Producer Manager, Tony Pearse: 021 719 038, 04 471 6118, [email protected]

An advance registration form will be available electronically at www.deernz.org from March or contact Pat at DCMS, your local Branch or the Deer Industry New Zealand office. Details are being finalised with the local conference committee, who have a long track record of producing outstanding events with some surprises and innovations of their own. The full programme will be available at www.deernz.org as soon as it is finalised and will be circulated to NZDFA members through Stagline-online.

AccommodationAccommodation has been reserved at all quality hotels and motels within the CBD and Timaru Bay region. Requirements for accommodation must be coordinated through the conference organiser when registering.



NZDFA Annual General MeetingExecutive Committee MotionsNZDFA Formal Financial Motions

MOTION 1: Financial accounts and statements for the year ending 2010/2011.

“That the Audited NZDFA financial statements and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2011 be received and approved.”

MOTION 2: Honoraria

“That the Executive Committee honoraria for the 2010/11 financial year be fixed at $9,000 for the elected Chairman, and $6,000 for each other Executive Committee member.”

This recommendation from the Executive Committee requires a mover and seconder from the floor of the AGM.

MOTION 3: Auditors

“That Deloitte be appointed as NZDFA auditors for the ensuing year, 2011/12.”

MOTION 4: Budget to year ending 31 MARCH 2012

“That the NZDFA budget of expenditure for the year ending 31 March 2012 be approved.”

Key points in the 2011/12 budget include:• Break-eventargetwithsubscriptionssetat$99.67(GSTat

15%inclusive)andsubscriptionsestimatedata1,550target,asimilarleveltothepastyear.Branchcapitationfeewillbemaintainedat$25withequivalentrunningcoststo2010/11.

• Thereservesaccountsareaimedtomaintainaminimumof$100,000(currently$114,000).Anestimatedtaxliabilityof~$1,300oninterestearnedisbudgeted.

• Auditfeesat$2,500+GSTaresubjecttowrittenconfirmationfromDeloittepriortotheAGM.

CONSTITUTIONAL MOTIONS The Executive Committee advises that there is one constitutional motionnotifiedforapprovalatthe36thAGMattimeofpublication.Constitutionalmotionsrequire21days’clearnotificationpriortotheAGMandassuchanynotificationcloseson25April2011.

Themotion,asapprovedbytheNZDFABranchChairmenforconsiderationattheAGMseekstoclarifytheelectedmembereligibilityandconfirmationprocessandreaffirmsthatanelectedmemberhasthesameconstitutionalstatusasafullmemberandiseligiblethereforetoseekandholdanyelectedofficebearerpositionontheNZDFASAP,ExecutiveCommitteeorBranch.

Motion:Thatthecurrentsub-clausedefininganElectedmemberinclause5.1,Membershipstatus:

Elected Members: Persons, who, upon paying a full membership subscription, who do not qualify for Full Membership but who have been nominated by a Branch and subsequently approved by the

Executive Committee (in its discretion) to be an Elected Member.

(It is anticipated that any such person would be fully involved in the management and practice of farming of deer and have been proposed and seconded and elected by a simple majority at a Branch Meeting properly constituted for that purpose to be nominated as an Elected Member.

The Executive Committee will review each of the Elected Members annually and if not meeting the criteria specified in this paragraph, may terminate that person’s membership.

BeDELETEDandREPLACEDby:

Clause5.1Membershipclasses:

Elected members:personswho,uponpayingafullmembershipsubscription,whodonotqualifyforfullmembership,buthavebeennominatedbyaBranchandsubsequentlyapprovedbytheExecutiveCommittee(initsdiscretion)tobeanElectedMember.

Qualifiers:1. Itisanticipatedthatanysuchpersonwouldbeactively

involvedinthefunctionsoftheBranch,activelyinvolvedinthewiderindustry,includingbutnotconfinedtothemanagementandfarmingofdeer,orinaprofessionalworkingcapacityinthedeersector;and

2. havebeenproposedandelectedbyasimplemajorityataBranchmeetingproperlyconstitutedforthatpurposetobenominatedasanelectedmemberandthatnominationbesentinwritingtotheExecutiveCommitteeforitsapproval.

ThemotionseekstoDELETEtheassociatedsubclause;“TheExecutiveCommitteewillrevieweachoftheElectedMembersannuallyandifnotmeetingthecriteria,mayterminatethatperson’smembershipstatusasanElectedMember.”

Thisdecisiontoseekaconstitutionalchangeatthe2011AGMwasmoved(JohnMace,RotoruaBranch)andseconded(JohnSomerville,SouthlandBranch)attheBranchChairmen’smeetingon28October2010andcarried.

2011 NZDFA AGM, constitutional and other mattersNZDFA Annual General Meeting: SBS Event Centre, Aorangi Park, Timaru, Tuesday 17 May 2011 at 11.00am

Discuss issues locally before national meetingAdvance notice of remits and discussion topics is requested to give time for discussion around the Branches before the conference and to encourage a productive, informed and active AGM. The Executive Committee will again lead

Branch Chairmen in three separate regional meetings before conference to advance that preparation.

Remits to the AGM are customarily submitted through Branches. Members are urged to submit all remits to the Association offices by Friday 15 April 2011 to enable them to be published in the pre-AGM Deer Industry News and

Notice of MeetiNgNew Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association: 36th

Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the 36th Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association (Inc) will be held in the SBS Events Centre, Aorangi Park, Morgans Road Timaru on Tuesday 17 May 2011, commencing at 11.00am.

The Chairman and Executive Committee of the NZDFA invite all NZDFA members and industry interested parties to attend.

NZDFANew Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association



meet our constitutional demands, which have a 30-day window prior to the AGM. Time lines are under a little more pressure this year with the conference timing and a very late Easter, but remits will still need to be written in March and early April.

This provides Branches the opportunity to develop remits before the Branch AGM round and have time during May to meet again locally and discuss remits and other industry issues to bring forward at this important conference. Discussion of late remits arising at conference that have not had Branch input, irrespective of the wisdom of your Chairman and committee, is not particularly productive.

It is to everyone’s advantage for remits to be published and circulated to all members. Remits will be posted on the website and circulated to Chairmen as they are received and there will be a final session with the combined Branch Chairmen before the Conference opening on Tuesday 17 May, before the AGM.

Matuschka Award 2011Nominations are called for a farmer or farming entity who or which has made a significant ongoing or lifetime of contribution to deer farming and the NZDFA in particular at Branch level.

The award recognises the grass roots farmer and unsung contributor to local area activities, functions and core spirit of deer farming. It will be announced at the 2011 Deer Industry Conference Welcome function on the evening of Tuesday 17 May 2011 at the SBS Events Centre, Timaru.

As recognition of the unsung heroes at Branch level, it is appropriate that the award itself be presented to the 2011 winner at a special mid-winter function in the recipient’s Branch.

Nominations should be made through the appropriate Branch. There are no formal systems, but a letter of support is useful. It is not a requirement of the award that the nominee be aware of the fact that a nomination has gone forward. Nominations must be submitted to the NZDFA no later than 5.00pm on Friday 6 May 2011.

The Rumpole CupAdditional entries are invited for the 2011 Rumpole Cup, which is awarded to the best Branch or Associated Society newsletter. Newsletters submitted routinely to the NZDFA office will be entered automatically. The inaugural competition for this trophy was held in 2000 following the initiative of long-serving and eloquent NZDFA Councillor Colin Perrior QC, who amongst other attributes, was known affectionately as Rumpole.

The award is to promote good communication at grass roots level. Newsletters are professionally judged on variety, topicality, quality of writing/editing, effective communication, originality and presentation. Smaller Branch newsletters that cannot afford more expensive printing (eg, more colour) are not disadvantaged.

Please submit your entry to the Rumpole Cup, NZDFA, PO Box 10-702, Wellington by Friday 6 May 2011. You can submit either one or a number of issues of the newsletter, provided it was published during the previous 12 months.

For any questions or discussion on any of these AGM and conference matters please contact:

■ Producer Manager, Tony Pearse, 021 719 038, [email protected]

New photographic competition to be launched While details, sponsorships and prizes are still being finalised, Branch Chairmen endorsed the idea of revitalising the traditional industry photo competition initiated by the Warnham and Woburn Society and judged and presented at the conference with both a judges and people’s choice award.

Rules and competition entry will be available in early March, on request and via the website. In general, all photos must be of subjects that are suitable for wider publication, taking into account the public’s perception of the deer industry. The judges retain the right to disqualify any photo they deem unsuitable in this regard.

Criteria will include:• technicalaspects(focus,composition,balance,quality

of print and so on)• thepicture’sabilitytoconveythevaluesaround

animal welfare, environmental stewardship and animal husbandry)

• itsabilitytoshowtheindustryinapositivelight• thatspecial“wow”factorthatmakestheshotstand

out.

Competition will be open to all participants in the deer industry: farmers, farm employees or those employed in a subsidiary industry (transport, vets, research, fertiliser, seed and so on).

Categories suggested• Deer in the field: (deer in their “natural” setting in

crop or pasture – individual animals or groups; stags, hinds, fawns, weaners).

• People working with deer: (positive images of animal husbandry work, eg, shifting animals, drafting, tagging, Tb testing, vaccinating and so on.)

• Our deer farming environment: An opportunity to show off the environmental enhancement that goes hand in hand with best practice. In these photos the farm environment is the star with the deer present but playing a bit part. The shots should be aesthetically pleasing but also have a practical side, for example retired areas, waterways, nicely landscaped and fenced areas, good shelter plantings, nicely constructed sheds with runoff taken care of and so on.

Format of entries

Photos will need to be submitted as 8” x 10” prints for mounting and display. Whether it is landscape or portrait format is up to the photographer. The electronic file, which should be a minimum of about 2600 x 3875 pixels (printable to A4 size at 300 dpi) should also be submitted. (It should be a jpeg file of about 2.5Mb to meet these criteria but .tif file format is also acceptable.) The digital file must be in its original state and not altered in any way.

Full details and a competition entry form are in development along with sponsorship interests.


focus farms

Farmer profile: George and Mary Scott – StrathmoreIf there’s one farmer who understands the deer industry push to get more and heavier calves processed earlier, it’s Southland Focus Farmer, George Scott.

George and Mary Scott, who run a 360-hectare mixed livestock farm at Pukerau near Gore in Southland, hosted 60 deer farmers at the Southland Deer Industry Focus Farm field day on 1 February.

The turnout of farmers was good given it was the second field day to be held at Strathmore and there were new, young faces in the mix. The mood was positive, a result of steady prices and markets reporting a firming up following the recession. Farmers were interested in the issues and what they could do to improve productivity and profit. They were keen to hear about the Scotts’ major shift in production systems, from a breeding and finishing combination in deer and sheep, to an integrated high-powered finishing programme based around purchased weaner deer.

The Scotts have, over the last 15 years, made significant improvements to their operation, with around three-quarters of their animals off the farm before Christmas. They told visitors good selection and pasture management have been key to their finishing unit improvements.

The farm was purchased from a family trust in 1985 and built up from 240 hectares.

The third-generation farmers switched from breeding and finishing to finishing only after a major outbreak of Johne’s Disease in their breeding hinds several years ago. Working closely with local vets and Invermay scientist Dr Colin Mackintosh, they found the outbreak was best managed by replacing the breeding herd and buying in all weaners for finishing. This got around the problem of their breeding herd passing the disease on to their young during early lactation.

Under the previous system they produced 18,256kg venison carcass weight each year, through a mix of breeding and buying in weaners for slaughter, trading weaners, selling stags and cull hinds and including 80kg of velvet off 20 stags.

The Scotts now produce 29,022kg carcass weight annually. They buy in around 1,200 weaners between March and May. Most are carried through to November and December, although they try to get the best weaners off the farm at the peak of the season. Weaners are purchased based on an estimated 33kg venison (54–56 kg liveweight average, dressing at 53 percent). They are sold at 57kg carcass weight on average, a gain of 24kg per head.

With only one class of animal, the 122-hectare deer unit is geared for finishing. Fifteen years ago the farm struggled to get half of the animals off by December, but a focus on “heavier and earlier” has seen the Scotts concentrate on quality and well-managed pastures and swedes to grow animals well through winter. Now 75 percent of the stock are easily meeting peak market requirements.

Animals are monitored during the season to ensure they are

meeting growth targets.

They’ve had to be selective about the animals they bring in, focusing on genetics that favour fast growth and minimal animal health issues. For Strathmore that balance is achieved with elk/wapiti x red crossbreds. Over the years George has developed strong relationships with several key breeders to source genetics that do well for both traits.

George is now starting to be even more fussy about selection as he seeks to improve liveweight performance. This year he’s dropping stock numbers slightly, expected to be down by around 50, but is being more choosy about what he buys in.

“Last year we took on a few small deer that we didn’t need. We’re better off focusing on those that grow well and that can earn the farm more by meeting those premium prices.”

Good communication is as important as good management, whether it is succession planning done alongside family and financial advisers, or with suppliers. Good relationships ensure that his suppliers understand his need for good growth weaners and good pre-weaning preparation, weaning and transportation practices.

It also means there’s flexibility on both sides to work with supply dates.

Pasture in almost all paddocks is less than eight years old. George is committed regrassing at least 10 percent of the property each year to provide quality pasture nutrition and maximise stock growth.

At the same time, George also has to fit the demands of the deer unit around his commercial sheep and cattle operation and 30-hectare forestry block. Balancing the needs of lambing around the requirement for good spring growth is always a juggling act, as all integrated livestock farmers will testify. “There’s no downtime in our workload across the year, but never-the-less it works extremely well; we have developed it into a profitable land use,” George says.

Of course taking on the role of Focus Farmer makes life even busier, having hosted two field days so far. But George enjoys the involvement of speakers and the wisdom they contribute to his own operation. It’s made him look critically at his own management to see what he can fine-tune.

VisitorsdiscussingpasturequalityatStrathmore. GeorgeScottaddressesvisitorstothefieldday–minimisingstressforweanerswasakeytheme


focus farms

“Being a Focus Farmer helps to concentrate on the overall farm management, lifting up from the ‘head down, bum up’ day-to-day work routine that we can all get stuck in.”

While he hasn’t made major changes, there are things he’s tweaked. He’s identified problems in managing feed supply and demand at different times of the year and is more aware of matching feed demand to stock growth, particularly in getting flexibility in spring to achieve the target liveweight in his deer. Management has been altered by having fewer deer and buying in more cattle.

Drench resistance is another issue that George is more conscious of since being involved in the project, and he’s pleased to have been getting advice from Southland vet Dave Lawrence, an expert in this growing problem and a regular speaker at Focus Farm field days. The result has been a revised drenching programme (see separate article about parasite resistance on page 29 of this issue).

“I don’t feel I have follow the way my father and grandfather farmed; I like listening to new ideas and looking at what options would work for my own situation.”

Table 1: Enterprise profile comparison, 1996 and 2011

Starting point 1996280 hinds, 20 stags240 weaners bred and finished240 bought in and finished2,400 ewes: 142% lambing700 hoggets: 50% lambing 16.2kg carcass weight30 cattle12ha of forestryDisease risk and significant Johne’s disease losses in deer, a complexity of systems that ran all year and management drove change in deer particularly

Integrated system 20111,223 weaners May–December80 cattle November–March ( pasture quality and control)500 Store Lambs November–April ( Numbers based on feed and season)1,675 ewes: 150% lambing485 hoggets: 100% lambing 19.2kg carcass weight80 cattleFurther 18.2ha trees

Table 2: Enterprise performance comparison: original performance and integrated programme.

Original performanceCarcass (kg) Price ($/kg) Total return ($)

Deer 18,256 $8.00 $146,048Cattle 3,450 $3.50 $12,075Sheep 65,373 $5.20 $339,939Totals 87,079 $5.71 $498,062Carcass weight/hectare = 242.05 kgDollars/hectare = $1,383.50Integrated programme

Carcass (kg) Price ($/kg) Total return ($)Deer 29,022 $8.00 $232,176Cattle 9,200 $3.50 $32,200Sheep 62,105 $5.20 $322,946Totals 100,327 $5.85 $587,322Carcass weight/hectare = 293.52 kgDollars/hectare = $1,721.34

Key changes at StrathmoreThe cost of transporting weaners has increased markedly, but farm running costs have generally stayed similar or slightly decreased on a percentage of gross income basis. Input requirement for labour over the year has increased, because the constant finishing turnover at the peak of the chilled season and the emphasis on early and heavier

requires a greater time commitment. Under the traditional system there were distinct breaks.

• Allsuitablelandfordeerhasbeenfenced.Additionalexpansion is not considered for potentially wet ground and terrain, because this would be unsuitable for young deer given the capital cost (Strathmore was a Deer Industry Environmental Awards, Premier Elworthy Environmental Award winner in 2004).

• FeedpinchesfordeerinSeptemberandOctoberandfor sheep in October and November are identified, and need to be managed better.

• Integratingcattleandstorelambsintothedeerunitbalances maintenance of pasture quality and the best timing for finishing these stock classes at premium weights (lambs are not there to clean up, but to perform as the deer numbers reduce – as their 19.2kg carcasses prove).

• Animalhealthmanagementfordeeronarrival(quarantine drench and so on) is a management policy and an investment.

• Investingingooddeergeneticsandon-goingrelationships with breeders underpins the performance needed with a policy of finishing heavier, earlier.

• Are-grassingprogrammeassociatedwithabrassicawintering crop.

Minimising stress will pay dividendsAvoiding stress is the key to successful weaning, farmers were told at the Southland Focus Farm field day on 1 February.

Deer Industry New Zealand Producer Manager, Tony Pearse, said minimising stress to both hind and calf is necessary to maximise production. Now is the time for farmers to remind themselves of weaning best practice and to plan how to achieve it, he said.

“It’s about working activities around the weaners’ well-being as far as practicable. Use the time with the dam to reduce stress in the preparation period.”

Minimising stress means carrying out sorting, tagging, and animal health treatments before, rather than at weaning, so the calf is used to handling and better prepared for the stress of weaning.

“Plan, prepare, communicate and match the task to the resources – be it time, facilities or the mob.”

Landcorp Farming said they had altered their practices by spreading weaning over a longer period with fewer deer handled per day in less time. This reduced waiting periods in the yards, increasing efficiency and further minimising stress. Field day visitors showed keen interest in Landcorp’s weaning practices.

Landcorp data had also shown that calves weaned earlier were more likely to be affected by stressors such as adverse winter weather and would grow less well. Animals left on their mothers for longer were less stressed and handled winter challenges better.

There is obviously a balance where breeding and finishing occurs on the same farm, but when weaners are to be sold, understanding the timing needs and conditions for the purchaser are all part of the process.


focus farms

Weaning and transport – care neededDeer farmers at the recent Southland Focus Farm field day at George and Mary Scott’s farm, Strathmore, had a timely reminder of importance of weaner management before transporting.

Big River Deer transport owner Stephen Grant stressed the importance of handling weaners before weaning and preparation before they are transported. Ideally, weaners should be used to being handled and yarded and should be tagged and treated at least 7–10 days before weaning and transporting.

Too often he and fellow transporters are faced with trucking deer that have been yarded, drenched, tagged and weaned all in the same operation, something that causes a stress risk challenge for the animal.

The practical industry experience of people like Steven is reflected in these two extracts from the Code of Welfare for Deer:

Stressed deer cause major problems for the purchaser as well as the transporter. Health conditions like foot abscess, yersiniosis and lungworm can quickly deteriorate under stress conditions.

George Scott experienced problems several years ago, when weaners that were poorly prepared for transport died on

his property not long after delivery. The cost of this was eventually borne by the vendor as part of a sales agreement; the stress and cost to everyone was high.

George now checks with the vendor that the animals have been tagged, drenched and treated well before weaning. Weaning therefore simply involves separation from the hinds and almost immediate loading and shifting.The transport operator is an integral part of the process.

“Communication is the key. Plan, talk to each other, make your expectations clear and have some flexibility to accommodate variables like the weather,” George says.

Farmers have a responsibility to think about the outcome, not just getting animals off their property. Doing what you can to create calmer animals is a commonsense approach that benefits everyone – vendor, purchaser, transport operator and most importantly, the animals themselves.

In general terms: • Frequentinspectionshelpmanagementroutinesand

condition deer to contact with handlers. • Feedingsupplementstohindsandfawnsafewweeks

before weaning accustoms fawns to feed, farm and people routines. Continuing with the routine and feeding supplements over the weaning process can be helpful in reducing the stress of separation.

• Addingasmallnumberofwell-behavedolder“auntie”hinds to a group of newly weaned deer may aid in settling the fawns and helps with handling and shifting from paddock to paddock.

• Onfarmswhereitisnotpossibletoplaceweanedfemale deer and fawns out of sight and earshot of each other, weaning them into adjacent paddocks can reduce stress. Fences need to be maintained to be fawn-proof and secure.

• Confiningthefawnsindeeryardsforafewdayswithshade, shelter, water and high quality, familiar feed can reduce stress responses to weaning that are otherwise seen in the paddock, but requires more care in the maintenance of facilities and in feeding and contact in holding facilities.

Minimum Standard No. 12 – Weaning(a) Weaningmustbemanagedinawaythatavoidsexcessive

stressonthedamandfawnandminimisesnegativeimpactontheirhealthandwelfare.

(b) Newlyweanedfawnsmustbeprovidedwithamplehighquality,familiarfeed,waterandshelter.

(c) Weaneddeermustbeinspectedfrequentlytocheckforsignsofill-thrift,injuryorstress,andwhereappropriateremedialactionmustbetakentoensurethewelfareofthedeer.

Minimum Standard No. 15 – Pre-transport selection requires deer farmers to ensure

(a) Thepersoninchargemustexaminetheselecteddeerpriortotransporttoensurethatallanimalsarefitandhealthyfortransportation.

(b) Pregnantdeerexpectedtogivebirthwithin21daysmustnotbetransported.

(c) Unweaned deer (dams or fawns) and deer that have been weaned for less than 10 days (dams or fawns) must not be transported.

(d) Alldeermustbeabletostandandbearweightonallfourlimbsandbefitenoughtowithstandthejourneywithoutsufferingunreasonableorunnecessarypainordistress.

Weaning and pre transportation preparation best practice

• Fawnsshouldnotbeweanedoffliquidfeeduntiltherumenhasdevelopedsufficientlytoenablethemtomeettheirtotalfeed requirements from solids.

• Fawnsshouldnotbeweanedatlessthan12weeks(84days)ofage,unlessclimaticormanagementextremesareafactor.

• Weaningshouldbecarriedoutinfine,settledweather.• Asfaraspracticable,newlyweanedfawnsanddamsshould

bekeptoutofsightandearshotofeachother.• Weaningshouldinvolveonlyseparationofthedamandfawn,

withminimalhandling.• Fawnsshouldbeweanedintoafamiliarenvironment.• Inordertoavoidadditionalstressatthetimeofseparation,

operationsliketagging,vaccinationanddrenchingshouldbeperformedatleast7–10daysbeforeweaning.

Thetransportoperatorisanintegralpartoftheprocess.Photo:DownlandsDeer.


industry news

Korea – New velvet market initiativesDeer Industry New Zealand, along with Omniherb, a rapidly expanding velvet marketer in Korea, kicked off a novel joint promotion for the New Year. The concept began after a meeting between DINZ and Omniherb on how to leverage the success from their parent brand advertising.

In October 2010, Omniherb embarked on a first for the industry – an oriental medicine supplier advertising on the main national television stations during prime time! The response was tremendous, with a significant increase in traffic flow to Omniherb’s website. The joint promotional plan lead to the development of a documentary-style velvet promotional DVD, downloadable from Omniherb’s website. Filming for the video promotion was carried out in December, starting in Christchurch and ending at the National Velvet Awards in Invercargill.

Clearly differentiating itself from traditional operators in the Jeki-Dong (main medicine) market, Omniherb was established by a group of oriental medicine practitioners with the goal of providing good technical support. They pride themselves on provision of technical, scientific and marketing information to enable them to work more closely with their clients to succeed. And it shows. Omniherb’s sales have continued to climb, while some competitors are lucky to hold their position. The company’s premium positioning as a supplier is a testament to the quality service they offer. Omniherb continues to increase its sales team and their proactive nature is more like a western-based pharmaceutical company.

Information disseminationOmniherb’s website is a key vehicle for information delivery. They reach around 15,000 medical professionals through editorials and advertising and say that increasingly, doctors are logging into Omniherb’s site to access new information. Omniherb does not want to support anything that is not fact based. The company says that to build trust and loyalty, information dissemination does not always have to be about the sale. Judging by the increasing support, this message seems to be getting through. This is why it is a very good sign, that Omniherb has picked New Zealand velvet and passionately supports it. The principles of quality, safety, traceability and the support of a professional infrastructure resonates well with the organisation. For the

New Zealand deer industry, they make a perfect partner and their ethical approach complements our own.

Omniherb continually challenges Deer Industry New Zealand to provide quality material to promote New Zealand velvet over Russian and Chinese product. They know the New Zealand velvet story is there – it just needs to be communicated.

Traceability important to OmniherbFilming for the promotion began with interviews of key industry leaders including (among others) valuable words from AgResearch’s Dr Stephen Haines. The opportunity to then visit some of New Zealand’s more expansive farming landscape where they could capture the key quality aspects of New Zealand velvet production on film complemented the

interviews.

One aspect Omniherb is keen on promoting is the potential for traceability of New Zealand velvet through the National Velvetting Standards Body (NVSB) programme. Omniherb says traceability will become increasingly important as consumer groups turn more to product safety. The company says that having an NVSB-type system is unique and gives us clear advantages over our competitors.

The promotion period kicks off in time for the second peak (demand) of the velvet season – spring. With the later shipments of New Zealand velvet this season, the timing is perfect. It is expected the video will be mainly viewed by patients as they sit in clinic waiting rooms before consultation with

their doctors. The desired outcome is that the patient will gain a better understanding of velvet, with a subtle sales message on the advantages of New Zealand product. This will help break down any potential barriers during the prescription process as the patient becomes more accepting of New Zealand velvet. Omniherb says that the real prize will come when the patient asks for New Zealand velvet by name!

Omniherb’spackagingclearlypromotingNewZealandasitsorigin.

FilmingforOmniherb’spromotionalDVDfeaturedNewZealand’sextensivefarminglandscape.

NewZealandvelvetlogoinKorean.


industry news

Venison marketing company activities

Silver Fern FarmsDINZ has invited venison marketing companies to provide a summary of their marketing philosophies, giving producers with a starting point to compare how companies intend to develop the market for New Zealand venison. Continuing the series of marketing company features that started in the December 2010 Deer Industry News with articles from Alliance Group and Crusader Meats, this month we feature a contribution from Silver Fern Farms.

Silver Fern Farms’ vision is to be a fully integrated, market-focused company investing in consumer products that will differentiate and add value for our farmer partners, our customers and our people. Our New Zealand lamb, beef and venison are backed by the Silver Fern Farms promise of freshness, tenderness and great taste, naturally.

As the largest venison marketer and exporter in New Zealand, Silver Fern Farms exports directly to about 60 customers in more than 30 countries. While a significant proportion is still exported to Europe, in particular Northern Europe and Scandinavia, new and growing niche markets for value-added product specifications and packaging solutions have been developed in non-traditional markets.

Germany remains the largest single market for New Zealand venison. Silver Fern Farms has, however, cultivated long-term relationships with a network of key customers in affluent markets – in particular Scandinavia, Austria, Switzerland and The Netherlands – to diversify volumes and develop and differentiate the Silver Fern Farms brand.

One of the company’s core strategies is the development of retail business. Silver Fern Farms supplies directly to Migros in Switzerland, Coop in Denmark, and Tesco in the United Kingdom, each of which is the largest supermarket retailer in its respective market. Through a partner packer, Albert Heijn, Silver Fern Farms also services the largest supermarket retailer in The Netherlands. With the exception of Migros, in recent years all have now begun to stock New Zealand chilled venison 12 months of the year, building consumption and volumes outside the traditional game season and reducing frozen volumes.

The New Zealand domestic market has been an ideal

testing ground for venison in a retail environment. Off the back of research that revealed key insights into consumer preferences, attitudes and perceptions towards red meat and venison, Silver Fern Farms launched a range of convenient retail packs onto the New Zealand market in November 2009. Up until then, venison had not been available for national distribution through major supermarket chains year round. The new Silver Fern Farms range is targeted to meet consumers’ need for smaller, easier-to-cook, natural products that offer premium quality and great taste all year round.

Building upon the initial success of the New Zealand range, Coop in Denmark is now stocking Silver Fern Farms-branded value-added chilled retail packs through its Kvickly & Super Brugsen chains. These are produced in New Zealand, shelf-ready, with full consumer information. Denmark is an example of a market that is not constrained by a consumption mentality built on the traditional game season, a characteristic of many other major markets. Denmark also has relatively affluent consumers and high levels of meat consumption.

Silver Fern Farms also markets chilled and frozen venison into foodservice, wholesale and manufacturing channels, supplying directly to end users. With customised specifications and a strong New Zealand branding and provenance story, Silver Fern Farms holds a reputation for quality and consistency that differentiates premium New Zealand-farmed venison.

The foodservice sector in Europe has long been a major segment for New Zealand venison. As an example, Citti GV Partner, one of Germany’s leading foodservice providers, has been purchasing exclusively from Silver Fern Farms for

more than 25 years. Through its network of cash and carrys, depots and delivery vehicles, Citti heavily promotes the Silver Fern Farms brand and supplies to restaurants, caterers and other institutional users.

Targeted promotion is undertaken in niche segments to widen and reinforce the appeal and appreciation of New Zealand farmed venison. The key aspect of such promotions is positioning the product as a premium item and continuing to raise awareness of the many positive attributes of premium New Zealand farm-raised venison and the Silver Fern Farms brand.

NewSilverFernFarmsretailpacksfocusoncustomerneedsforconvenient,natural,easy-to-cookproducts.


industry news

Venison activities

Whiterock Station hosts cooking showDINZ wants to thank Sally and Ross Stevens for allowing an episode of upcoming cooking programme New Zealand On a Plate to be filmed at Whiterock Station. They even turned on the weather to provide a stunning backdrop for a cooking segment of the New Zealand show. Series presenter, Australian celebrity Chef Pete Evans, was amazed by the landscape and was delighted to be working with New Zealand venison, a product he had not worked with before – he was really impressed with the tenderness, flavour and packaging.

The series will be screening in New Zealand on Television One later in the year, and will be repeated on Sky. It will be distributed to Australia and will also screen on Air New Zealand’s inflight entertainment later in the year.

Star Chefs Rising StarsKeep an eye out for upcoming news of Cervena® venison featuring in the United States at the Star Chefs Rising Stars

events in the year ahead. DINZ is joining up with Cervena distributors in the United States to present Cervena venison at four high-profile events in New York, Portland, Chicago and Houston.

Rising Stars recognises the half dozen emerging chefs in each city who have the talent to go to top of the US dining scene. They are recognised at a public tasting gala, a black tie event where the honoured chefs showcase their talent to invited members of the public. Cervena venison will be used by award recipients at their tasting station, it will be served at the awards dinner, mentioned in publicity surrounding the event in each of the four cities and the recipes created by the chefs using Cervena will be featured on the Starchefs.com website, which receives almost a million hits per month.

An indication of how well New Zealand venison is admired by Star Chefs is that our own Graham Brown has been included in the 2010 edition of the Star Chefs book, Chefs to Know– and he features on their website alongside a slightly more famous chef – Heston Blumenthal!

Mark Mitchell, founder and CEO of Broadleaf game, says this looks like a great series of events to be involved with. “We’re really happy that DINZ has taken the initiative to get us involved. Working collaboratively with us distributors is a great way of spreading our promotional messages cost effectively and ensuring that the promotion is backed up by commercial operators who can answer supply queries and seal a deal with interested chefs.”

RossandSallyStevens(right)preparefortheirscreencameowithAustralianchefPeteEvanswhilereceivinginstructionfromproducer.

trade .co.nzdeerTAKING DEER ONLINE

[email protected] P O Box 7138 Wanganui 4541 Ph (06)348 4144 or (027) 486 4341


MarketReport

VelvetAfter a slow start to the season, January saw an improvement in the volumes of New Zealand velvet sold. Hard work continues by key exporters with reports that prices remain relatively stable. The fundamental indicators remain strong in our key markets, with good overall economic conditions forecast for the year ahead. Marketing continues on the digital front with the completion of two velvet promotional videos.

New velvet season New Zealand exporters report that velvet prices appear to be holding at levels similar to last year. While there is still a reasonable proportion of New Zealand velvet unsold, there appears to be strong interest from Korean and Chinese buyers. After a slow start to the season, in which exporters reported a significant drop in velvet sales from October to December, a flurry of activity occurred in January with orders committed and deliveries starting. At the time of writing, none of the key exporters showed signs of weakening in prices.

One concern is however, the reports in the rise of opportunist traders – a practice Deer Industry New Zealand does not support. Consideration needs to be given to the long-term commitment by an already overrepresented procurement market. New players into this mix only further fragment the industry and devalue the long-term work of existing players.

Korean economic conditionsEconomists believe that Korea will continue with its solid economic growth for 2011, after expanding at its fastest pace in eight years in 2010. In December 2010, Bank of Korea predicted Korea’s 2011 GDP to grow by 4.5% which has been supported by other economists suggesting a growth of between 4 and 4.5%. In 2010, Korea’s GDP expanded by 6.1%, a significant improvement from the 0.2% growth in 2009.

Outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) are adding to inflationary pressures by pushing meat prices higher. FMD has forced Korea to cull more than two million cattle, pigs, goats and deer, with losses estimated to be just under USD2bn.

The possibility of higher inflation generally, in the year ahead, has got Korean economists concerned. In order to curb inflation, one measure the Korean Government has announced is a decrease in some import tariff lines. Unfortunately velvet is not among them.

Exchange rateReuters reports that the Korean won was the worst performer among emerging economy currencies last year, despite record-setting export growth.

The volatility of the Korean won since the start of the traditional velvet trading season does not help selling

conditions, though some economic reports point to the won strengthening over time in line with a slow US recovery.

Strengthening ties with ChinaThe new Chinese Ambassador hosted dinner at his residence with a valued stakeholder – Dr Ho Po Kin (marketing velvet to Chinese, further up the value chain) and Deer Industry New Zealand’s Chairman, Andy Macfarlane.

Fromleft:DINZCEOMarkO’Connor,DINZChairmanAndyMacfarlane,ChineseAmbassadorXuJianguoandDrHoPoKin(SupremeNaturalFoods).

Korean campaignIn December, DINZ began a new joint promotion campaign with a Korean company that markets New Zealand velvet directly to oriental medicine doctors. The company operates a proactive model, rather than the traditional Jeki-Dong market. They have an active sales force and, importantly, surround product sales with information delivery.

The promotion is focused on creating a documentary-style presentation that will be downloaded and played by oriental medicine doctors in their clinic waiting rooms before the patient’s consultation. See page 11 for more on this story.

Promotional DVDA new generic DVD promoting New Zealand velvet has just been completed and is being translated into New Zealand velvet’s key market languages. The video is building on “Nature’s Finest”, a DVD resource that many marketers say is a good resource for promoting New Zealand velvet, although it is getting a little dated.

The new DVD highlights key aspects of New Zealand velvet’s advantages, such as the wide open, free-range farming environment and our quality velvet production and processing systems.

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Figure1:KoreanwontoNewZealanddollar1October2010to31January2011.


MarketReport

VenisonProductionVenison production in the 12 months ended 30 November 2010 was 20,881 tonnes, 20% down on 2009. The 375,863 deer slaughtered figure was down 20% on 2009. Hinds contributed 48% of the total, up slightly on 47% in the year earlier, but down substantially on the 2004–2008 period when hind slaughter averaged 54% each year.

ExportsExports for the 12 months ending November 2010 were recorded as 15,338 tonnes, only 4% down on the previous year. Frozen exports were recorded at 11,755 tonnes, worth NZ$184.8 million, (down 8% year on year). Chilled exports increased to 3,583 tonnes (up 8% year on year) but the stronger New Zealand dollar reduced total FOB returns by 9%. With total production down 20% and chilled exports up slightly, the small reduction in frozen exports indicates that stocks had been carried through from 2009 in New Zealand and these were released on international markets as 2010 progressed. If stocks in New Zealand have been depleted we would expect to see exports in 2011 reflect actual production and therefore be down considerably on 2010 levels.

Exchange rateAt the time of writing (7 February) the New Zealand dollar was valued at 0.56 euro and 0.77 USD, up 11 and 8% on the same week last year respectively, but both down slightly from recent peaks. The prospect of weaker economic growth in New Zealand, therefore interest rates being held at current levels for longer, plus indications of improvements in European banking confidence have leant a little downward pressure to the New Zealand dollar.

Market conditionsDiscussions with New Zealand exporters and their European importers indicate the 2010 game season ended on a satisfactory note. The main issue was early-season frustrations with the slow arrivals of New Zealand venison. As the season progressed, however, sales have reportedly been sufficient to clear most stocks of chilled and frozen middle cuts.

With freezers now empty both in New Zealand and in Europe, importers are looking forward to the coming year with a little more confidence after the uncertainty of the past few seasons.

One of the reasons for the improving sentiment is the rapid rebound of the German economy, especially increasing domestic demand. Germany’s GDP and employment had not fallen as much as feared, largely due to the performance of the export sector (helped by strong demand from emerging markets and the low euro). The export sector continues to perform well and this is now feeding through into increasing domestic spending.

ScheduleThe national average published schedule for 55–60kg AP stags was $7.28 in the week beginning 7 February. This was up 11% on the previous year, and up 20% on the 10 year average. The chilled season schedule peaked at $8.19 (source Agrifax), 16%

above the 10 year average. The weighted average for 2010 calendar year for AP deer was $7.15 per kg. This was down from the $8.59 recorded for 2009, but above all other years since 2001.

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Dave MackieM: 0274 331 898E: dave.mackie@xtra.co.nzwww.newzealanddeer.co.nzwww.tradedeer.co.nz

3rd Open National Red Velvet Competition 2010

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general news

Animal health roundup: Hawke’s BayIn this issue we welcome back deer veterinarian, Richard Hilson, veterinarian with Vet Services Hawke’s Bay.

Greetings from Hawke’s Bay again! If the editor had been able to get me to write this sooner, I’d have been dribbling on about what was looking like a shocker of a dry summer. Things were decidedly yellow in Hawke’s Bay in mid January but we’ve just had 150–250mm over three days and most of it has sunk in. With a bit of luck we should be in really good shape by weaning.

Dry summers in our district are actually pretty good from an animal health perspective. Up until the point that the grass completely runs out stock do well on dry pasture that doesn’t carry many bugs, worms or endophyte.

Watch out for poor autumn weaner growthWhat we worry about now is what comes after all the rain. Luckily for you as deer farmers, many of the potential problems don’t exist – flystrike, facial eczema, ryegrass staggers (that’s why you have deer instead of sheep, isn’t it?). But if this summer and autumn follow the same pattern as 2010, we are likely to see poor late lactational performance and poor weaner growth in late autumn.

Last year we suspect that the massive dietary change that followed a similar amount of rain in mid January didn’t help hinds produce enough milk. Coupled with that, fawns were having to readjust their gut to green grass when they’d just learned to eat dry brown grass. So most Hawke’s Bay deer farmers would have been disappointed with their weaners in 2010.

What to do about that? Not much can be done easily but one idea would be to provide good quality supplement by way of silage or balage, and plenty of it. It’ll help the fawns with the weaning transition and keep the condition on the hinds. Whether it would really help late lactation is less likely though.

And the late autumn was a tough one last year too. It wasn’t

just young deer that stopped growing – nearly every class of livestock struggled with endophyte, big worm challenge and very bad rust on pastures. There has been plenty of effort put into the investigation of “autumn illthrift” in the sheep industry and I doubt we’ll ever have a complete answer.

Focus on parasite control and feed qualityBut the best bet would be to do things well and accept that a green autumn will be a challenge.

• Makesureparasitecontrolisuptospeed–useaneffective drench and don’t try to be clever with your drench intervals at this critical time of year. Ask your local deer vet about appropriate drench intervals.

• Payattentiontofeedandfeedlevels.Ifpoorautumngrowth is a constant issue for your deer, give thought to improving the feed quality in autumn – figure cropping in.

Tim Aitken and Lucy Robertshawe used a chicory/plantain paddock to extremely great effect in the first year of the Central Regions Deer Industry Focus Farm project, getting growth rates of 250 grams plus through autumn. This is virtually unheard of on grass up here, at that time of year. What about brassica as an option? It may not need to be a big area and you may not need to feed all weaners for three months either if you only want to be pushing along the best weaner stags pre-winter.

Preparation is everything and it’ll be too late to plant crops this year now. So maybe do the sums on good silage and/or

RichardHilson

Getstagsinwiththehindsearlytosocialiseinplentyoftimefortherut.Photo:RichardHilson.


general news

grain. Give the weaners something other than grass to eat but get them used to it before weaning and make sure they get decent quantities after weaning.

What else to think about in summer?Weaning itself is the big job looming. I appear to have used up most of my word-quota but here are some thoughts:

• Getthevaccinationprogrammeright.Areyourisk-averse? Have you had outbreaks of yersinia or lepto before? Do you really need to vaccinate? Should you start vaccinating? Question why, how and when you do it. Many vaccination programmes are out of kilter and to get good bang for your bucks you need to get the technical things spot on. Vaccines are not cheap, so it pays to utilise them well.

• Wewon’tthrashtheweaningtechniquethisyearbutifyou are going to use the Aitken technique (or “Dunbar technique”, if you live in Canterbury) then plan to leave a bit of grass cover in the weaning paddocks and get the mobs in there at least two days before weaning so the fawns can acclimatise.

• Matingplanningshouldprecedemanyweaningplanstoo, especially for yearling hinds. Stags should have been in there by the middle of January if you want the stags to socialise well with their reluctant girlfriends. And that applies if you are using spikers, selected two year olds in a mob, or single sire mating – get them in early and reap the benefit of earlier matings and more fawns.

• Thenexttwomonthsarecriticaltoyourincomein18

months – if hinds can be in-fawn by the end of March or very early April you have many more options for animal management, grass management and marketing. Scanning hinds shows where the problems are within a mating programme. I believe we have tidied up a few local problems with this important tool – but more on that another day…

All things considered, I feel pretty positive about deer farming right now. With just an ounce of luck we’ll be looking at grass shortly and the weaners will be glowing and the stags will be roaring. Bring it on!

MONTGOMERY 3 Year Old Woburn / Furzeland

Your chance to purchase semen from this amazing young stag

Unfehlbar enGlISh reD Deer StUD

For more information contact:

Guy brady M 021 664 805 alf Kinzett M 0272 418 919 nathan hawker M 021 501 [email protected] www.unfehlbar.co.nz

0800 278 583 www.crt.co.nz

Semen available at $300 per straw - discount for over 10 straws

1 year old spiker 35 points 323 IOA2 year old 360 IOA3 year old to be measured at rising stars 19 Feburary

Thick beamDouble Chancellor Peel bloodlinesTrophy and velvet genetics in one stag

WeanersonchicoryinMarch–ahandycroptokeepanimalsgrowingduringthischallengingperiod.Photo:RichardHilson.

341-04 Everest x Remington

• 7.6kg 3yr • 9.84kg 5yr • 10.65kg sa 6yr • 5th Nat Open 2010

4th 5yr

2009 Nationals

Altrive Red Deerperformance recorded since 1985

Approx 300 hinds mated each year. All male progeny kept until velveting at 2yr old.

Deer from Altrive put up for private treaty sale January 2011

A herd with top average weights:2yr Average 2010 3.36kg 2009 3.27kg 2008 3.12kg 2007 3.12kg 2yr Keepers average 2010 4.20kg 2009 4.25kg 2008 4.05kg 2007 3.83kg3yr Average 2010 5.90kg 2009 5.20kg 2008 4.70kg 2007 4.86kg

53-07 x Everest 341-04Sold to Tower Farms as 2yr old for $170002yr velvet 6.2kgNational 2yr velvet champion and Won North Island 3yr

76-07 6.6kg sa - x Everest

97-08 3.75kg - x David

162-07 5.95kg sa - x 123-04

196-07 7.3kg sa - x 123-04

247-08 3.55kg - x David


113-07 tw 6.52kg sa - x David

99-08 3.65kg - x Everest


230-08 3.55kg - x 123-04



103-07 5.3kg sa - x 386-00

67-08 3.85kg - x David

77-07 7.46kg sa 3yr x Everest6th place Nationals 2010 Retained in Stud



195-07 8.8kg sa - x 186-04

97-08 3.75kg - x David



386-00 Swazi* (x Brutus II). Plus two sons (full brothers)

• 14.3kg SS 8yr (photo), • 15.5kg SS 9yr

238-96 x Charles Rupert. Plus 4 sons.

• 7.35kg SA 7yr

4th 5yr

2009 Nationals

Semen for saleDavid $300/straw• 3 sons (see above) out of 7 born by ai 2004• One 3yr old sold this year out of 4 born by ai 2007• We bought David 2008 and have 10 2yr olds in next

years sale mob.• Leaves top velvet and trophy heads with huge beam

123-04 (deceased) $300/straw• 3yr sons to 7.3kg • Spiker son 243-09 – 30 point, 6.55kg cut 21.1.11

Everest (341-04) $300/straw• Top velvet sire • See his 3yr old sons on opposite page

386-00 $200/straw• Mates very well with any of our dam lines. • All 2yr sons av 2007 3.51kg, av 2008 3.72kgOwned with Evan Tayles and Brock Deer

81-06 $250/straw• 2nd National 2yr Velvet Competition• 1st National 4yr Velvet CompetitionFull brother 103-08 5.65kg 2yr (see photo above left)

Zama 74-06 $300/straw• 3yr National Champion and won people’s choice 2009• Growing out this year at Brock Deer.• First 2yr olds due in next year’s saleOwned with Brock Deer

238-96 $200/straw• Bred stags with correct velvet and huge bulbs that

grow out to good trophies


Geoff and Lynette Elder Altrive, Gore, Southland PPG Wrightson Agent Phone 03 202 5809 Graham Kinsman Mobile 0274 365214 Mobile 0274 223154

Catalogue mailing listIf you’d like to be on our mailing list for catalogues, please email your name and address to: [email protected]


74-06 Zama x Hannibal (Deer Genetics). Plus spiker son.

74-06 7.66kg 3yrWon People’s Choice and 3yr at 2009 Nationals. Growing out 2010 at Brock Deer.

111-09 - x Zama. Spiker.

1st people’s

choice + 3yr

6th

National Open

SOLD

$10500

SOLD

$7000

SOLD

$10500

SOLD

$6500

SOLD

$6500

David (x Thomas Albert). Plus 3 sons from 7, born 2004

• 11kg SA 6th Nationals 2009 (photo), • 7 David sons in 2004 by AI • 4 David sons 2007 by AI. We now own David.

123-04 x David • Spiker 4.4kg 21 point • 2yr 4.2kg SA 3rd Sthland Velvet Comp • 3yr 5.2kg SA • 4yr grown out 40 point, (photo above) 502.2 IOA


3rd 2yr

Southland Velvet

2 year old velveting stags:14 2yr velveting stags 3.65kg Av60 2yr velveting stags 3.28kg Av22 2yr velveting stags 2.79kg plusThese 8 photos from the 3.6kg Av line.

Stags 4yr and older velveted SS grade, av weight 8.64kg.The 19 not suitable for SS grade, double trezs or bulbs not good enough av 6.5kg sa to make 149 total 2010.

3 year old sire stags

96

130

10

81-06 x Swazi 8.45kg sa 4yr2nd 2yr Nationals

186-04 x David Grown out Dec 10

243-09 - x 123-0430 point 6.55kg cut 21.1.11

101-04 x David 12.05kg ss

242-09 - x 123-04

Altrive 78-02 x 238-9610kg ss 6yr / 11.65kg ss 7yr

103-08 x Swazi 2yr old 5.65kg sa

78-02 December 2010

1st 4yr

section

2 Sons of 123-04 (123-04 deceased)





2010 - 1st place 2yr + 4yr

National Velvet Competition

2009 - 1st+3rd place 3yr

National Velvet Competition

Sires used at Altrive Deer with a selection of progeny


261-03 x 238-96 10.25kg ss47-04 x 238-96 10.2kg ss 97-04 x 238-96 11.4kg ss


research

Farmers urged to use BV data to support purchase decisionsDEERSelect is an industry good service supported by Deer Industry New Zealand, which publishes deer breeding values (BVs) and breeding worth indexes calculated by AgResearch Limited, from data supplied by leading breeders. The DEERSelect system offers the advantage of objective genetic evaluation to the deer industry.

Official data collection for DEERSelect began in 2004 and initially focused on traits that influenced growth and velvet production in red deer. Now in 2011, the system can include wapiti and elk and covers new traits and indexes of economic importance to venison production, with additional traits to be added soon.

The DEERSelect technical team, led by AgResearch Invermay’s Jason Archer, is developing the system to encompass a wider range of traits in order to better describe the full range of performance parameters that influence commercial profitability of venison production systems. In the longer term this work will also contribute towards the exciting potential for genomic BVs, following DNA sequencing of the red deer genome achieved in 2010.

“Genetic gains in herds are permanent and cumulative,” Jason says. “Both the deer industry and individual farmers reap the benefit of applying this information on farm, with positive effects on production performance noted for those who are choosing to utilise the power of the data alongside high-quality farming practices and good stockmanship.”

While genetic evaluation is at the leading edge of technology, the system is based on simple information and is not difficult to use. Breeders supply their DEERSelect bureau with herd pedigree and production performance data, which is added to the database and summarised for dissemination to producers. The DEERSelect summary tables are then updated and published regularly on the DEEResearch website (www.deeresearch.org.nz). The summaries list key genetic information (BVs) that can be used to select the best sires for maximising economic performance in a herd that will meet an individual’s breeding and production objectives.

Traits currently listed include weaning weight, yearling weight, mature weight, mature velvet weight and conception date. All of these values compare the weight differences that can be anticipated for progeny when mating with one animal compared with mating with another, allowing producers to choose the most appropriate stags for breeding for venison, velvet or other key production targets. BVs listed for traits are always estimates as they are based on how much data has been collected for that animal and its progeny. The more data, the more accurate that estimate will be. Accuracy figures are therefore quoted in the tables to assist in decision making.

The tables also include a new set of values, or selection indexes. The indexes are an easy way to simultaneously assess the effect of combining BVs for a number of traits in known production systems. DEERSelect currently lists indexes for producers who are operating specific replacement or terminal sire systems and illustrates the unit dollars of profit that can be anticipated per hind when

mating with the recorded stag within each of these different objective production systems. Farmers can align their own long-term breeding goals to that index and gain some measure of the value advantage of any one of the indexed sires being evaluated.

DEERSelect would like to see all commercial deer farmers take advantage of the information provided to the New Zealand Deer Industry. DEERSelect – GET THE BEST FROM YOUR HERD is a booklet designed to help farmers understand how DEERSelect operates and how it can be of benefit in breeding programmes and for making informed decisions when purchasing stags. A copy is inserted with this issue of Deer Industry News.

“We are encouraging all deer farmers to use DEERSelect BV information to assist in stag purchase or selection decisions to bring about permanent genetic improvements in their herds in line with their own breeding goals,” concludes Deer Industry New Zealand Producer Manager, Tony Pearse.

GETTHE BEST FROM YOURHERD

AcomprehensivebookletonDEERSelectisincludedwiththisissueofDeer Industry News.


general news

Sire sale reportQuality, quality, quality. That was the recurring theme from those who sent in reports for the 2011 sire sale season. Most said buyers were very choosy and were only interested in the top stags on offer.

As for last year it was a mixed result. Top sale price was again recorded at Stanfield’s – $40,000 for a stag sold to Bryce Heard of Pampas Heights – and Windermere finished 20 years of auctions with a flourish, featuring an almost complete clearance and strong average. A number of studs reported complete clearances while others sold well below half of their offering. Elk/wapiti sales were noted for their consistently high clearance rates – 97 percent nationwide.

There is a feeling in some quarters that the market is becoming oversupplied and this gives buyers more scope to pick and choose.

Deer Industry News invited all known studs and significant breeders to submit a sale report again this year and we thank those who responded.

If you didn’t hear from us, please contact us with your up-to-date details so we can ensure you don’t miss out next time. The following is a summary of the reports we received by press time. For those we didn’t hear from, we have compiled a brief summary table at the end of this report, drawn from PGG Wrightson’s sale summary.

ANTLER & VIEWS13 January at KaikouraStags sold 6 of 18 on offerTop price $4,000Other animals sold 22 of 22 velvet stags on offer sold – average $764; 13 of 26

hinds sold – average $788Sales compared with last year

Well back on last year

Comment Kaikoura is a lovely place to live but it’s hard to get buyers here! Trophy animals were difficult to sell, with more interest in Chad, 11.7kg SA2 velvet and trophy lines. Those who attended enjoyed the crayfish and paua – thanks for taking the time to come.

ARAWATA DEER FARM15 January at Pine Bush, Southland

Stags sold 21 of 21 on offerTop price $10,000Average $4,000Other animals sold 27 velvetting stags and 13 15-month hinds.Sales compared with last year Similar prices but better clearance.Comment Like all the other Southland sales there was demand for stags

with good velvet genetics. Stags with good size were also sought after. A good gallery of buyers with many animals going north to Canterbury or the North Island.

CANTERBURY IMPORTED RED DEER STUD9 January 2010

Stags sold 29 of 47 on offerTop price $6,500 Sales compared with last year About the same as last yearComment It was good to see repeat buyers coming back year after year and

to see a total of six animals going off to stud duty. These included two Easterns and two pure Warnhams. Two lots (16 and 47) were retained for own use. Overall it would have been nice to see better prices.

DEER GENETICS NZ LTD10 January at McKeown Rd, Geraldine

Stags sold 23 of 27 on offerTop price $16,500Average $6,500Other animals sold Eleven hinds, $2,580 averageSales compared with last year Average down on last year.Comment Huge crowd, great meal. General comments on quality of stags

were very favourable. There was less competition for top-end stags this year. Some very, very good stags were cheap. (See separate article on Deer Genetics’ sale.)

DONCASTER DEER17 January at Waipahi

Stags sold 27 of 27 on offerTop price $15,000Average $4,240Sales compared with last year Definitely strongerComment A strong gallery including both repeat and new buyers, with a

fantastic line-up of stags to chose from. Animals were selected on conformation with a strong focus on EBVs and high 12mth weights. Stags on offer had sale-day weights up to 237kg and corrected EBVs up to 24.23.

FOVERAN DEER PARK11 January at Foveran

Stags sold 58 of 70 on offerTop price $13,000Average $5,500Other animals sold Sixteen yearling hindsComment A near capacity crowd. Competition was strong throughout the

sale especially for stags carrying strong multi-pointed heads with strong beams and correct tyne placement.

LOVE RED DEER7 January at Rotorua

Stags sold 13 of 17 2-year-old sire stags on offerTop price $7,000Average $3,053Sales compared with last year Down Comment A buyers’ market with far too many stags on offer. Buyers only

want the best you have.NETHERDALE RED DEER14 January, 6pm at Netherdale, Balfour, Southland

Stags sold 24 of 24 on offerTop price $11,000Average $5,000Other animals sold 41 13-month hinds, average liveweight 96kg, sold for an average

$850.61 two-year-old velvetting stags with a velvet weight of more than 3kg sold for an average $1,050.Fifteen semen straws sold for an average $300.

Comment All average prices up on last year. Complete clearance of the catalogue – everything sold including all of the semen straws.

PAMPAS HEIGHTS7 January at Rotorua

Stags sold 22 of 22 two-year olds on offer plus three more added to initial offering because of demand.

Top price $15,000Average $4,300 Other animals sold 16 yearling hinds – all on offer sold; average $1,080Sales compared with last year Prices were a fair reflection of the market and were down on

previous years. Buyers were very choosy and only interested in top-end stags.

Comment An excellent line-up of stags and a large bench of 90 attended the sale. The sale stags were all velvetted straight after the sale and the first 12 yielded an average of just under 8kg of overgrown velvet. This year’s offering had a good heavy beam and swept style. Nearly 40 percent of the stags sold went to the South Island. Bryce Heard returned the compliment by travelling south to the Stanfield’s sale, paying the national top price of $40,000 for a Mars stag out of a Ramasses hind. There were some repeat buyers and some bought more than one stag.


general news

PEEL FOREST11 January at Peel Forest Estate

Stags sold 28 of 38 on offer

Top price $18,000

Average $6,600

Sales compared with last year European stags were stronger.

Comment Strong demand for an excellent line of European sires. Top price was $10,000 paid by Wilkins Farming for a son of Toby. Atlas sons sold well. An excellent offering of even, open, classical style trophy sire stags met only weak demand, typical of the trend for this season. The top price of $18,000 was paid by Ian Scott, Tirau for a son of Coco, a new Peel Forest sire.

REMARKABLES PARK DEER STUD14 January, Remarkables Park, Queenstown

Stags sold 51 of 56 two and three-year old stags

Top price $8,600

Average $2,656

Sales compared with last year More buyers and 50 percent increase in revenue.

Comment Top-priced stag weighed 254kg, the heaviest on offer and an outstanding venison production sire. Second-highest price was paid by Bob Swann for a two-year-old trophy stag, Agon, with antlers of at least 24 points. Good clearance and result. There has been a resurgence of interest in venison sires and top heads.

RODWAY PARK8 January at Rodway Park, Rotorua

Stags sold 18 of 21 on offer

Top price $10,000

Average $3,533

Other animals sold Nine of 11 yearling hinds sold.

Sales compared with last year A very good clearance

Comment With the current economic climate and the non-sale of top-grade velvet in the 2010/11 season, deer farmers’ budgets are very constrained. Only good animals will sell and the value of the top animals has been “re-adjusted”. However it is reassuring to see commercial farmers are continuing to reinvest in their breeding programmes. Feedback on the performance and constitution of Rodway deer continues to be very positive and we are pleased to have a number of new clients again this year.

STANFIELD’S EUROPEAN RED DEER STUD10 January at Bangor, Darfield

Stags sold 27 English 19 Easterns Total 46 sold of 65 on offer

Top price $40,000 (buyer, Bryce Heard, Pampas Heights)

Average English $10,846 Easterns $6,721

Sales compared with last year Easterns average price up $157 and English average price up $722 on last year.

Comment A full gallery of buyers and remarkable to lift averages over 2010. Top-priced stags: Lot 1 $34,000; Lot 2 $40,000; Lot 11 $20,000.Sires this year featured very heavy antler. Lots 1, 2 and 3 English and Lot 1 Eastern have heads left on to strip (guesstimate for Lot 1 English to strip out between 11–12kg). Of the balance, both English and European antler was up to 11.2kg, with a number of heads between 9–9.55kg.Eight English stags were between 200–216kg and 17 of 22 Easterns from 200–242kg. Sixteen English stags had between 20–32 points and five Easterns between 20–29 points.Stanfield’s represents Woburn Abbey, which had two stags over 200kg and the 32-pointer.The Easterns were the last born and bred at Bangor from our ex Eastern herd, which has been bought by Wilkins Farming (these stags were sold for Wilkins Farming). All the rest were our deer and in partnership with Warnham Park. Star sires were Mars, Hotspur and Sir Edmund, the $80,000 sire purchased from us three years ago by Donald and Kathy Hudson. (Stanfield’s purchased semen from the Hudsons to create some of the stags in this year’s sale.)

STEINVALE DEER STUD24 January on farm

Bulls sold 23 of 23 on offerTop price $4,200Average $2,500Comment Although there were fewer buyers, the sale was stronger than in

2010. Stags went mainly to Hawke’s Bay, with a few locally around Taupo and the Bay of Plenty. Steinvale is venison focused, with conformation featuring a good beefy back end and long body. There was strong demand for genuine Fiordland wapiti genetics.

TIKANA18 January at Browns, Southland

Bulls sold 12 of 16 on offerTop price $22,000Average $6,940Other animals sold Six yearling Wapiti cows, $2,000–$3,000, average $2,450Sales compared with last year Record top price for Tikana and a 10 percent increase in average

sire price.Comment Nationally the 97 percent clearance achieved for Wapiti sires speaks

for itself. At Tikana we are delighted to have achieved a genuine sale average which, for the first time, is right up there with the top averages nationally. Yearling Wapiti cows also sold very well this year.

UNFEHLBAR ENGLISH RED DEER9 January on farm, West Melton

Stags sold 18 of 20 on offerTop price $7,000Average $3,100Sales compared with last year Down 20 percent on last year but that is a reflection of economic

conditions, not the quality of stock.Comment The sale was very well run by CRT with 48 buyers – about the

same as last year. Buyers favoured good clean beam and English genetics. This was the first sale of the South Island circuit and fortunately did not suffer from a “North Island hangover”. There are a lot of poor quality stags being offered and vendors will suffer for that.

WILKINS FARMING (two sales)10 January (Pure Easterns, at Stanfield’s)17 January (Europeans, at Athol Farm)

Stags sold 19 of 22 on offer (Easterns)26 of 29 on offer (Europeans)

Top prices $17,000 (Easterns)$6,000 (Europeans)

Average prices $6,721 (Easterns)$3,178 (Europeans)

Comment (European sale, 17 January)

A large gallery of over 100 people enjoyed the atmosphere of the new sale venue at Athol Farm, just north of Lumsden, for the European sale.While 29 stags were put up for sale, 26 sold with an average slightly back on last year, though we were happy we put forward a better line-up than last year with 25 of the stags exceeding 200kg liveweight on sale day. The average EBV for 12 months was +16.2, up +2 on last year’s sale.The top price was a little down on 2010 but two stags were purchased at $6,000 each – Lot 4 sired by Megamillian bought by Colin Gates from Mt Pember Station at Lees Valley and Lot 9 bought by James Adam of Outram.Congratulations to everyone on their purchases and we trust they will perform well for you.

WINDERMERE DEER6 January on farm

Stags sold 24 of 28 on offerTop price $22,000 and $18,000 (top two stags)Average $7,113Sales compared with last year Significant lift in sale average and clearance.Comment We are pleased to report a very strong sale at Windermere. Six of

the top stags went to the South Island, with many top animals also going to Hawke’s Bay and Northland. The highlight was the strong interest shown in the first pure Warnham sons of Walton (10.5kg SAV at 5 years) to be offered. Of these, Lot 11 was the top-priced stag at $22,000. The second-highest price ($18,000) was for a pure Woburn son of Aztec. This sale gave an emphatic message that farmers are targeting pure bloodlines. This was Windermere’s last-ever sale after 39 auctions over the past 20 years – it was great to finish on such a high note. Thank you to all who have supported us over the years!


general news

OTHER SALES – SOURCE: PGG WRIGHTSON DEERwww.newzealanddeer.co.nz

Vendor Sale date Stags sold/stags offered Top price Average priceBrock Deer 15 January 13/19 $10,000 $4,962Canes Deer 8 January 13/24 $11,000 $4,677Clachanburn Elk 19 January 43/44 $6,000 $3,483Edendale Deer 20 January 22/23 $5,100 $3,768Gloriavale Deer 12 January 8/22 $15,000 $5,850Kelly Oaks Deer 8 January 10/16 $3,800 $2,670Littlebourne Wapiti 18 January 15/16 $4,300 $3,500Littledale Deer 12 January 4/10 $4,750 $2,587Lochinvar Wapiti 16 January 31/31 $6,100 $3,461Maryland Deer 16 January 38/38 $4,100 $3,000Pelorus Stud 12 January 8/11 $6,000 $3,937Raincliff Station Wapiti 21 January 32/32 $4,100 $3,063Raroa Red Deer 6 January 19/24 $8,500 $3,289Rothesay Deer 12 January 10/22 $7,200 $4,190Sarnia Deer 7 January 10/14 $6,800 $3,970Willowcreek Deer 10 January 4/13 $4,000 $3,580

Trilogy trumps the fieldThe sheer mass of Trilogy’s head - all 25.34kg of it - and strong points for most of the judging criteria were enough to pull him clear of the field to take the Open Supreme and Champion of Champions titles at the Elk and Wapiti Society’s Annual velvet competition in Cromwell on 22 January. Owners Dave Lawrence and Donna Day of Tikana (pictured) were delighted with the result. Trilogy has a habit of

damaging his velvet and disqualifying himself from entry into the National Velvet Competition, but Tony Pearse, who helped judge at this year’s competition, says the more liberal entry criteria for the EWSNZ competition allowed Trilogy’s antler to compete, be penalised for the minor presentation faults and win on its own merits. Photo: Tony Pearse.


general news

New PGP company to benefit red meat industryWe continue our delayed coverage of the October 2010 NZDFA Branch Chairmen’s meeting in Wellington with a report on FarmIQ, a new venture with the express aim of increasing revenue from New Zealand’s red meat industry.

Landcorp Chief Executive, Chris Kelly, took the stand at the meeting to discuss FarmIQ Systems Ltd, a new company set up with PGP (Primary Growth Partnership) funding. Silver Fern Farms and PGG Wrightson are also part of the mix, along with Landcorp and the Government.

Between the Government and the three constituent companies, a PGP fund of $151 million has been made available over the next seven years to run a “plate to pasture” project to “turn the red meat industry’s production-led approach into one that is market-led and focused on consumer needs”.

FarmIQ is about increasing value with all levels of the value chain examined. “When the consumer buys a product, value is created,” Chris Kelly said. “There can’t be any more value than the consumer pays and that value is distributed down the chain. The issue for us is how to increase the size of the pie. Value chain management offers a single-minded approach to creating and sharing value – working together as opposed to the competitive model we’ve been used to.”

The current partnership is not a closed entity. “Silver Fern Farms, Landcorp and PGG Wrightson are the initial partners and I will be very disappointed if, within one or two years, there aren’t other players involved. After seven years we aim to have one-third of all stock in New Zealand on board with this concept.”

A board has been established for FarmIQ. The independent chair is Alison Patterson; David Clarke – who is involved in other activities besides farming – is another independent director. The three founding members are represented by Silver Fern Farms director and farmer, Rob Hewett; Silver Fern Farms Chief Executive, Keith Cooper (Silver Fern Farms has an extra board member because they are contributing most of the money); Landcorp Chief Executive, Chris Kelly; and PGG Wrightson Chief Executive, Tim Miles.

Isaacs to run FarmIQCollier Isaacs, former General Manager Strategy and Planning with Landcorp, a DINZ Board member and Chair of DEEResearch and DEERSelect, is Farm IQ’s new CEO. Landcorp has also filled a number of operational roles.

FarmIQ modules include genetics, nutrition, farm information systems, equipment, EID, carcass yield, quality, taste panels, web communications, demonstration farms and market tours. Landcorp is responsible for animal

genetics and farm information systems.

There will be synergies between the modules. For example, genetics (employing emerging SNP chips and DNA analysis) will be used to select for carcass yield and taste, while taste parameters will be established with taste panels – an area that has seen surprisingly little action in New Zealand.

Nutrition is also vitally important and not just because feed is one of many parameters that can affect the finished product: “We’re going to spend quite a lot of that $150-odd million on feeding our animals better,” Chris said. “It’s my belief – and this includes the deer industry – that

we’re miles behind in our ability to feed our animals. We have good genetics but we just can’t get the animals to manifest themselves effectively, primarily because we don’t know how to feed them properly. That includes the dairy industry. We all know that we can take a dairy cow and double the production just by feeding her better.”

LandcorpCEOChrisKellysaidthereisbigpotentialtoimprovethewayanimalsarefed.

“We’re going to spend quite a lot of that $150-odd

million on feeding our animals better.”


general news

He also mentioned x-ray analysis, a methodology used by Silver Fern Farms to identify target areas for animal improvement, with rewards for producers who make those improvements. Example slides showed that the leg and the middle hold the greatest value. This is an example of using market signals to generate premium prices, rather than sticking with procurement signals, Chris said.

EID features in pilot study

FarmIQ started as a pilot during 2009/2010, on 50 farms with 75,000 lambs – all equipped with EID that allowed the collection of real-time data for individual animals.

“I’ve become a real fan of EID. For example, in the dairy industry, with big herds of 1,000 or more cows, we’ve lost the ability to measure the performance of individual cows; it’s all just averaged. So per-cow performance is dropping. We can’t manage large herds as well as we could our smaller herds. EID changes that; at Landcorp half-way through the milking season, we found that some cows were milking at half the weight and half the volume of their cohorts. Learning that enabled us to do some culling. It’s only when you get to EID that you can start measuring individual performance. Sheep, beef and deer are very similar.”

Working at this level with trial animals has allowed Landcorp to get a handle on what makes one animal superior to another. “FarmIQ is setting up a website to collect this sort of information. It’s in its infancy, but we want to eventually build a whole communications system. We’re trying that approach and we’re starting get some real rewards form it,” Chris said.

Having automatic weighing machines in some paddocks, which the lambs walk across as they move around the paddock gives daily weight gain data with no work from the farmer at all. Lambs are tagged with EID at tailing.

Packaging and marketing in the chainTo try to get a new spin on red meat, the improved value chain should also include packaging and marketing. But it’s the eating experience that keeps the customers coming back. “It’s all about getting the product right – taste, tenderness, juiciness, aroma, colour and appearance – and we’ve started market research on that. Customers will pay extra if offered extra value. Meat, until recently, has been very poor at doing that.”

Inaction could see meat industry shrinkA peer review by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research calculated that if the meat industry stays the way it is, that by 2025 it will have shrunk from its present $4 billion export value to $3.5 billion. Success with FarmIQ, on the other hand, could help grow this value to $6.5 billion by 2025.

“That’s the prize if we get this right,” Chris said. “By 2017, when we’re looking to finish this part of the project, we hope to have added $352 million to the industry as opposed to watching it just decline into oblivion.” There is also the expected worldwide red meat market growth, as more people take on a ‘Western’ diet, and are prepared to pay for quality, food safety and security.”

He suggested that these gains could be made in processing and in improving in-market value by 31 percent – getting consumers to pay more. Research suggests that they might, and that packaging, retail location and so on can help bump up the per kilo price considerably. Further big gains are to be made on farm, if farming behaviour can be modified.

“But remember, we have $151 million in the background to try to make all these things happen. It’s not all rocket science; we just haven’t been doing it particularly well. It’s all about collaborative partnerships.”

By behaving differently, by measuring differently, by doing different things on farm, this programme could put more money in farmers’ pockets, he concluded.

■ www.farmiq.co.nz

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CollierIsaacs:AppointedCEOofFarmIQ


stagline supplement

NZDFA Branch Chairman profile:John Somerville – SouthlandIt’s all about antler at Arawata

In the profiles of NZDFA Branch Chairmen we have run in Deer Industry News over the years, no two stories are ever the same. But one theme is common to all: a passion for deer.

Take John Somerville, Southland Branch Chairman for nearly two years: he’s literally grown up with deer. His father, Walter, then a second-generation sheep farmer and keen hunter, got bitten by the deer bug in the late 1970s and took the plunge in 1979. “I started working with them and when I left school in 1985 or so, I didn’t want to do anything else,” John says.

Arawata Deer Farm, roughly mid-way between Invercargill and the Catlins, is now in John’s name but Walter still takes an interest in what’s going on. The focus is, and always has been, on antler. John grows red deer for velvet and trophies and sells stags. “When dad started, hinds were worth a lot of money and in those early days there was a lot of speculation. But it was always the antlers that interested him – he was a hunter, and that’s partly why he got into deer. Sheep weren’t performing in the early 1980s, so he got more deer.”

The farm is a fairly modest 170 hectares of rolling country, but it’s an efficient and well developed operation. A lot of shelter has been planted over decades and, as John puts it: “There isn’t too much waste land.” A part-timer assists during velvetting: John’s wife, Mel, helps out on occasion and Walter’s contribution is welcome too, especially during the busy spring and summer months.

There are around 300 hinds, 260 velvetting stags and more than 200 weaners. Breeding and finishing are done on the one farm. “We have a special interest in the stud side of the business. We have an emphasis on breeding stags that produce good velvet and the better ones are put up for sale at an annual auction.” (See page 21 for Arawata’s 2011 sire sale report.)

In addition to buying in quality sires each year, John makes AI a big part of the operation, “providing access to sires we wouldn’t be able to use otherwise”. The business has used genetics from English Park, Furzeland, German and Eastern stags; they choose animals with good temperaments and then build on that for the desired traits. These include growth for venison production, although that is not a big part of the business.

The land is well watered, with about 1000mm of rainfall a year. Creeks flow through the property and tanks feed water troughs for the deer.

Apart from buying in some barley and other supplement to feed fawns, all winter feed is produced on farm: silage and balage, with winter crops including kale and swedes. “Our country is really good in the summer, but the soil gets quite wet in winter. The hinds are wintered on swedes and kale from late May through to September, kept behind electric fences. Most of the velvetting stags are wintered indoors, on silage from self-feed pits or from troughs. The weaners just run around on the grass.”

Deer health is taken seriously, from selenium and copper supplementation (though finding a cost-effective solution to copper delivery is an issue) to active disease management. “I drench the fawns two or three times and once they get their last drench at the winter stage, nothing else is drenched again in their life. Touch wood, I haven’t had any sort of issues. In the last few years I’ve had a policy of testing all my rising two-year-old stock for Johne’s disease – that’s an important part of the programme for selling stags.”

The area covered by the Southland Branch of the NZDFA is huge – all of Southland except for Fiordland, which has its own Branch. It’s the second biggest branch after Canterbury, and musters around 500 deer farmers. John notes that the area covers a variety of farming types and climates. It is a very active branch, with members known for making their

JohnSomerville:EnthusiasticaboutFocusFarmsprogrammeintheregion.


stagline supplement

Obituary: Dr Erik van Schreven The deer industry is greatly saddened and will recognise a significant loss with the sudden passing in January of Dr Erik van Schreven, a leading veterinarian from Waimate in South Canterbury.

Erik had been extremely active within the New Zealand deer industry since the very early days. That association began with hunting deer and then progressed with involvement in their live capture through to eventually farming them himself.

He took a great interest in deer farming, deer health and management in the early days of his professional career and rapidly became very well known and respected for his expertise in all things involving deer and deer velvet. That

interest extended across the breeds – Erik had a passion for wapiti and their role in the industry and also for the genetic potential and farming base of red deer. He, like so many specialist deer vets, played a leading role in the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) Deer Branch technical

conferences over many years and was an active secretary and committee member from 1988–92.

At the time of his passing he was involved with the National Velvetting Standards Body (NVSB) where for a number of years he had been an independent auditor. He serviced numerous farmer clients within his own veterinary practice, which is part of the NVSB programme, and he was also an independent assessing veterinarian to the programme.

He was actively involved with the Johne’s management programme and was one of the leading vets in the Johne’s consultancy network (JCN).

He became accredited as a deer Tb tester in 1996, became an assessor for the NZVA accreditation programme in 1998 and had been involved in training and assessing veterinary testers since then.

Erik was closely involved with alpacas and was considered to be a leading New Zealand veterinarian in this field. He was chairman of the NZVA’s South Canterbury Branch and played an extremely wide role in community and sports activities.

The deer industry extends its condolences to Erik’s family, colleagues and friends.

■ Contributed by John Tacon.

voice heard at national level. “Southland’s always been well-represented at that level.” John is also enthusiastic about the Focus Farms programme in the region, offering good opportunities for information transfer and collegial contact between members: “It’s quite important for people to just have a chance to catch up.” Events around Focus Farms have taken the place of field days: “Field days are good but you can have too many of them because you only have so much time! It can be hard work coming up with new and relevant topics.”

There are also social events, with about three field days a year. The committee meets monthly except January. Meetings can be long, but constructive – members with a presence in the political arena often have much to share. “You tend to come away from meetings a lot wiser about what’s happening. I find it useful to have access to the experience of other members, especially ex-chairmen, providing a fair idea of where you’re heading and what you’re supposed to be doing.”

The main issues of concern to Southland deer farmers are largely those occupying farmers all over New Zealand: the worry of stagnation in the industry, falling numbers of deer farmers and the effects of the growth of dairy farming – deer being driven to steeper country is OK for fawns, says John, but “it’s not necessarily the best country for growing prime weight animals”. The attitude of banks, currently “making

any sort of growth difficult in most kinds of agriculture”, is also of concern to Southland deer farmers.

And of course, there’s NAIT. “It’s a big issue making sure we get a scheme that’s cost-effective and that actually works. Deer farming really has to fight because a lot of these things are driven from the dairy side of it – they have the numbers. So we have to make sure we stand up and don’t get steam-rolled.” Tb testing is also a cause for grumbles – some farmers would like to reduce testing in areas that have been clear for significant periods, says John.

Southland Branch has hosted the national velvet awards since they started – 30 years ago this year. “A lot of organising goes into that,” says John. “But the local Branch also has a low-key two-year-old and hard antler competition where heads are picked to go up to the National Rising Stars Hard Antler and Velvet Competition in Cambridge.”

John will discuss the issues and is concerned about outside influences on an industry he is deeply attached to. But he has a constructive attitude. “I’ve always been passionate about the animals. For me, it’s the antler side of it that’s always been the driver – the challenge of breeding stags with heavier velvet and those good heads. Dairying has started to come into the country here, but I’m not tempted to jump ship. I’m sticking with velvet.”

ErikvanSchreven.


general news

Carbon farming:

Alternative revenue stream from marginal landMarginal country could become a source of ongoing revenue, thanks to “carbon farming” and advice offered by Jason Loveridge.

Whatever side of the fence you choose in the human-induced climate change debate, it could pay to be mindful of some of the fallout. Landowners in New Zealand can earn money from their property without exploiting it in the traditional manner.

Getting to grips with such a slippery topic is not for the faint-hearted and the advice of a professional could well be a good investment. Enter Jason Loveridge, son of Taranaki deer farmers Tom and Denise Loveridge.

Jason’s career has been straightforward until now: Diploma in Farm Management and Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) from Lincoln University, followed by OE, a year working for a stock and station firm in Taranaki and then 10 years with the regional council as a land management officer based in the eastern hills of Taranaki.

This experience gave Jason a good grounding in environmental and sustainability issues and provided the groundwork for his current enterprise – JTL Carbon Farming Constultancy Ltd, started by Jason and his wife Karin in April last year. The business aims to assist landholders, farmers, the forestry sector and investors to make the most of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). He can provide an honest appraisal of what income you could expect to generate with your land and the hoops you’ll need to jump through to get started. Although the Kyoto Protocol has a framework for adding new-planted forest in a carbon trading scheme, Jason’s focus is on working with existing native or planted forest and scrub.

“It’s mainly to do with marginal hill country. I could see the opportunity for landholders to utilise their existing land or forest. There is still uncertainty around the ETS and its future so I tell people that on their properties, right now, there is a potential income stream with no capital outlay required. I work on the basis of regenerating scrub areas, which have huge potential, and also existing pine and exotic forest production blocks. I’ll assist people with investing in forest, but at present I’m suggesting that they first look at what they already have.”

Jason sets people up in the ETS, following the required processes and collecting the necessary – and complicated – technical background information. “I then help them to sell their credits and keep track of their overall liabilities.”

He works across the North Island and has built an impressive client base in the relatively short time he’s been operating, largely by word of mouth.

Jason has done a lot of background work on the legislation side of the ETS and spent about four years involved in some capacity before going solo. “I’ve been involved at the practical level, setting people up and I’ve come across a whole range of different scenarios. Every application is different, so I learn more with every one. I know the ins and outs, how things work and how MAF will interpret data.”

He can also advise on the complexities of the global market – overseas funds buying our carbon credits to sell on to clients seeking “carbon neutrality”. “There are

complications surrounding the international market, but this is an export commodity as well.”

Carbon farming has “huge possibilities” Jason believes. “I think it’s under-estimated by landowners because they don’t understand it – or don’t agree with the ETS. But there’s huge potential, especially for marginal hill country. It’s like taxes: you don’t agree with them but they’re there. From the landowners’ perspective there’s some alternative, significant, ongoing revenue.”

■ www.jtlcarbonfarming.co.nz

JasonLoveridge.

Firstlookatwhatyoualreadyhave.Photo:CliveDalton


research

GI parasite resistance worse than we thought That anthelmintic you’re pouring onto your deer to control gastrointestinal parasites could be about as effective as pouring on water.

Research carried out last year by the Elk and Wapiti Society of New Zealand (EWSNZ) and supported by the MAF Sustainable Farming Fund, revealed in alarming detail what many have suspected for a number of years – that the moxidectin drenches widely favoured by deer farmers are failing to control Ostertagia-type gastrointestinal parasites. (A Massey survey in 2005 showed that 80 percent of drench use on deer farms is via pour-on products, and most of these are moxidectin based.)

And it’s not just because the pour-ons are missing their targets by being applied carelessly on dirty coats. The performance of an injectable moxidectin used in the same trial was also well below par. This indicates that parasite resistance to this drench family is now well entrenched, having developed to significant levels in little more than a decade.

Anything less than a 95 percent kill of parasites is considered to indicate a resistance problem. The moxidectin pour-on used in the EWSNZ 2010 drench trial achieved kills of 71.2 percent and just 19.3 percent of adult Ostertagia on the two farms involved. On one farm the kill of Ostertagia larvae achieved with the pour-on was zero percent.

The injectable moxidectin achieved more consistent kill rates, but with a range of around 81 to 87 percent efficacy for Ostertagia adults and larvae, resistance is still clearly an issue.

There has been one ray of sunshine, however. On one of the trial farms, the efficacy of a combination treatment with injectable moxidectin plus oral SCANDA® (a combination

oxfendazole/levamisole drench) was tested. This achieved kill rates of 97.5 and 98.0 percent against Ostertagia adults and larvae respectively – an acceptable level of efficacy.

Winton veterinarian and owner of the Tikana elk/wapiti stud, Dave Lawrence, was the driving force behind last year’s trial and an earlier 2009 survey that investigated whether Ostertagia was the cause of “fading elk disease”. The 2009 survey also sought to reveal the significance of drench resistance.

Dave says the survey looked at 400 animals identified with fading elk disease over 25 properties. Of these, about 60 percent died. In the trial, Cydectin® (moxidectin) injectable and pour-on were used. While lungworm control was good with the pour-on, the efficacy against gastrointestinal (GI) worms was poor. The injectable Cydectin achieved good control of both lungworm and GI worms in the 2009 trial. No control groups were used.

Further conclusions from this work were that all deer were affected – not just elk/wapiti – and that the faecal egg counts (FEC) are unreliable in deer.

Dave says one animal with a very modest count of 80 eggs per gram was carrying a massive burden of 56,700 Ostertagia worms. “That one should have been falling over, but it was actually slaughtered and killed out as a prime animal!”

Unlike sheep and cattle, the relationship in deer between faecal egg counts and actual parasite burdens is very weak. Despite work by Colin Mackintosh at Invermay with Sustainable Farming Fund support, it hasn’t been possible to develop an accurate FEC for deer.

The 2009 trial confirmed suspicions that Ostertagia-type parasites were indeed the major factor in fading elk disease and that pour-ons weren’t controlling them properly. Dave says that over the years much money has been wasted following various red herrings concerning vitamin or mineral deficiencies in an attempt to treat poor-doing elk/wapiti deer.

Lungworm has traditionally been the industry’s bogey, Dave says. But while the parasite (Dictyocaulus spp.) is a persistent problem, it is also relatively easy to detect and control.

The parasite is not well controlled by members of the benzidamazole (BZ or white) drench family but the newer macrocyclic lactones (MLs) of which moxidectin is a member are very effective. For reasons that continue to elude parasitologists, lungworms appear particularly

Resistance has developed fastIn the 1980s it was hard to protect elk/wapiti from the effects of internal parasites. When the macrocyclic lactone (ML) drench family became available for deer in the 1990s it seemed that the problem was solved. Invermay AgResearch trials in the late 1990s showed Cydectin Pour-on was 99.9 percent effective against Ostertagia in deer.

In a 2001 paper presented to deer veterinarians, WAG Charleston1 was prophetic, however: “As far as I know, there have been no reports of anthelmintic resistance developing in nematodes of deer – probably more a reflection of the fact that no-one has looked for it than anything else. But inevitably, sooner or later, it will emerge.”

DaveLawrence:LeadElkandWapitiSocietyresearchinitiativeintoparasiteresistance.


research

slow in developing resistance to ML chemicals in any host species.

While coughing animals are a strong indicator that it might be time to drench for lungworm, GI parasites – Ostertagia-type worms and to a lesser extent Trichostrongylus spp. – have slipped under the radar, Dave says. Because FEC testing is ineffective, the only way to measure the parasite burden for sure is to slaughter the animal and count the worms.

This is exactly what was done in the 2010 EWSNZ research. The trials had two objectives: to test for drug residues in animals treated with moxidectin and to check for signs of drench resistance. The research was underpinned by a $20,000 Sustainable Farming Fund grant with cash also coming from Pfizer ($5,000), EWSNZ ($10,000), Intervet/Schering/Plough ($2,000) and DINZ ($1,000). Dave estimates that a further $10,000 worth of “in-kind” support was received through the time of scientists such as Colin Mackintosh at Invermay, Kim Kelly and John Moffat of Intervet/Schering-Plough and Victoria Chapman of Pfizer, plus Gribbles Veterinary, farmers and processors.

While the number of deer used in the 2010 trial was fairly small, there was more scientific rigour built around this work. Dave is convinced that the results indicate a widespread problem throughout the industry and it is certainly not confined to elk/wapiti.

Trial animals were naturally infected R1 hybrid finishing stock on two separate farms in Southland. There was an untreated control group of six deer on each farm to determine that an adequate parasite burden was present. Treatment groups of six deer on each farm were given moxidectin pour-on and moxidectin injectable. On one of the trial farms an additional three treatment groups were given moxidectin long acting injection, SCANDA (BZ/levamisole combination) in addition to the injectable moxidectin and the last group was given a new product, Startect® (derquantel, a new active ingredient, plus ML).

The abomasa from the slaughtered animals (12days after treatment) were sent to Gribbles Veterinary, where parasite burdens were physically counted (both adult worms in the abomasa and larvae encysted in the abomasal lining). PH levels in the abomasa were also measured: because GI parasites destroy the acid-producing cells that aid digestion, a high pH indicates damage to the abomasum, which compromises the digestive system. Levels were elevated in all groups.

The drug residue trial was carried out on five animals slaughtered 49 days after treatment with injectable moxidectin. Dave explains that because it is not registered for use in deer, the default withholding period for this product is 91 days. Tissue analysis of the fat and liver gave clear results for residues at the 49-day mark. This is not a withholding time or label claim but based on these results, veterinarians can exercise their veterinary discretion for off-label use of a Registered Veterinary Medicine and provide farmers with a prescription to accompany the ASD for deer going to slaughter.

The drench resistance results were alarming, with poor worm kills for moxidectin on both trial farms – clear signs of resistance. The only treatment that gave acceptable results was the combination of oral SCANDA with injectable

moxidectin. Dave says this treatment regime was added to the trial after success with the combination had been observed on farms in the earlier fading elk disease survey. He says not too much should be read into the results with the new product, Startect. “Being a new active ingredient, resistance was not an issue. It is a case of efficacy where the sheep dose rate used for these animals was not effective.”

While the number of animals in the trial was small, Dave says the results were disturbing. “These farms have moxidectin resistance at unexpected and alarmingly high levels. It would be naïve to think that problem is not widespread in New Zealand.”

He says he is recommending that deer farmers consider the moxidectin injectable/SCANDA combination where they suspect resistance on their property. “While the role of the levamisole component is unknown, the combination appears to be effective. Giving an oral dose and an injection is not ideal; a combined product that gives the same results would be welcomed by the industry.”

Dave says the EWSNZ trial can be replicated on individual farms to check true resistance status. “The only reliable method is to count the worms from the abomasum of a slaughtered deer. You would need six untreated control deer and six treated deer and you would need to arrange for the recovery of the abomasa from the slaughtered deer at the abattoir. This can be done through your deer vet who can make the arrangements with the NZFSA vets. The total cost is about $1,000 for lab fees, collection and interpretation, plus the deer. That may sound a lot, but $1,000 doesn’t buy a lot of drench and because of resistance you might already be pouring that money away. This way you can find out for sure if your drench is working on GI parasites and recoup that investment by treating them more effectively.” Dave notes that because injectable moxidectin has a 49-day pre-slaughter requirement (versus zero withholding for the pour-on), that can make a farm trial more complicated and animals might have to be sacrificed by slaughtering on-farm to retrieve the abomasum.

Even where farmers have no resistance issues or don’t know their resistance status they should consider using the drench combination. Lessons learnt from the sheep and cattle industry indicate that using a combination drench will significantly delay the onset of resistance.

He admits that with the spread of resistance and the failure of FEC in deer (consequently FECRT in deer is of no use),

Bigger than Johne’s?While Johne’s disease has been in the limelight recently, Dave Lawrence says the emergence of parasite resistance is now a bigger problem than Johne’s. In fact he thinks there may be an association between the two.

“In my opinion the drench resistance has been smouldering away for a while. Increased parasite burdens increase stress on the animal and I believe this could be making them more susceptible to the onset of Johne’s disease. If we get on top of GI parasites this could well help us get on top of Johne’s.”


research

the industry desperately needs a viable, low-cost method for reliable drench testing, such as a blood or saliva test.

While resistance is undoubtedly a fast-growing problem in the industry he says there is plenty deer farmers can do to minimise its effects. “Quarantine drenching with a reliable combination is essential to stop exporting or importing resistant GI parasites. Landcorp has been using best-practice parasite control and has virtually eliminated drench resistance in its sheep flocks”.

He says farmers should also use the principles of refugia, where drenching and grazing management is used to ensure the nematode populations on pasture are

dominated by drench-susceptible eggs and larvae.

“This is an industry-wide issue. This work has been driven by EWSNZ but the whole New Zealand deer industry needs to take ownership of the problem.”

• The2010drugresidueanddrenchresistanceresearchwas supported by: EWSNZ, MAF Sustainable Farming Fund, Pfizer, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, AgResearch (Dr Colin Mackintosh), Deer Industry New Zealand, farmers and processors.

1. Charleston WAG (2001) Proceedings of the Deer Branch of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, Annual Conference. 18:144–152

Semen for sale from some of New Zealand’s top velvet heavy beam stags

All these sires have been naturally mated to a big number of hinds every year on a commercial basis and the hinds are run on medium-to-hard hill country.

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Prices very negotiable.

We are not big on photos but can show you velvet and plenty of animals.

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BullerxMurchison,verytidyhead.


BullerxMurchison,notbad.


general news

Central progeny testing system proposedLeading breeders who take part in DEERSelect have been invited to express their interest in a venison-focused central progeny test (CPT) project that could accelerate recent genetic gains in the industry.

In a letter to breeders last month, Jason Archer, Team Leader – Farm Systems at AgResearch Invermay, listed a number of benefits that could arise from the project. These included:

• providingacoreresourcefordevelopingnewtraitsandthe base for further profitability indices for inclusion in DEERSelect, including both on-farm and in-plant traits

• enhancingthegeneticlinkagebetweenherds(essentialfor accurate breeding value comparisons made across herds)

• providingopportunitytocollectdatarequiredtodirectly compare performance of red deer strains and wapiti/elk in DEERSelect

• providingaresourcefordevelopmentofDNA-enhanced breeding values (the potential of SNP chip analysis in time)

• provideinformationontheperformanceofdifferenthind strain types under more extensive conditions (depending on design criteria, using locations that are more typical of modern deer farming country than Invermay).

Less tangible, but very significant, benefits also include the opportunity to increase the focus and interaction among deer breeders and provide an independent and credible information source for commercial farmers purchasing stags, Jason noted.

Partnerships and managementAlliance Group Ltd has generously offered to support a deer CPT based on AgResearch’s research herd at Invermay. This offer includes providing funding for the CPT and assistance with in-plant measurement (including yield scanning). The Alliance Group is committed to making the full results available to the whole deer industry and is strongly motivated to provide industry-good outcomes. Alliance’s involvement would allow the industry to get started almost immediately, starting with this year’s breeding programme.

The CPT concept could be expanded to provide a larger platform for the deer industry’s genetic programme. This could potentially include involvement of other meat companies using other breeding herds. If this were to occur, the programmes would be coordinated so that activities were complementary and avoided duplication of effort, the letter said.

An interim committee consisting of Tony Pearse, Mandy Bell, Jake Chardon, Trevor Currie, John Falconer and Jason Archer has been charged with furthering the CPT concept. Murray Behrent will represent Alliance Group Ltd’s involvement with the CPT herd at Invermay.

Expectations of participantsThe letter to breeders said participants in a CPT project would be expected to:

• providesemenfromastagwidelyusedintheirownherd to be part of the CPT

• beaDEERSelectparticipant• recordanagreedcoresetoftraitsintheirherd.

In addition: • recordsfromboththeCPTandfromparticipating

herds would be used for research and development (eg, enhancing the capability of DEERSelect)

• bloodsamplesforDNAresearchwouldberequiredfrom all sires used in CPT and participant herds; and

• asetofagreedprotocolsregardingreportingofresultswould be developed.

Jason urged DEERSelect members to act quickly so that the concept could be put into action in time for the 2011 breeding season.

■ For further information contact Jason Archer: [email protected], phone 029 489 9138.

So are we!Contact Johne’s Management Limited

on 0800 456 453 for advice and contact details for the Johne’s Consultancy Network

member nearest you

We’ll see you at the JML stand in 2011 at the Farmarama in Lawrence and the

South Island Agricultural Field Days at Lincoln

Roaring mad about Johne’s disease

in your deer?


research

Taking Johne’s disease seriously ■ by Solis Norton, Johne’s Management Limited

If there’s one piece of advice Tim Aitken would like farmers to pick up on, it’s to not ignore Johne’s disease.

“Burying your head in the sand is not going to make the problem disappear; seek good advice and deal with it,” he advises.

Tim and wife Lucy Robertshawe have just completed three years as the Central Regions/Hawke’s Bay Branch’s Focus Farmers for the “making the DIFFerence” project. Tim and Lucy were also the 2010 Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmers of the Year. The couple have farmed deer and cattle at The Steyning at Tikokino since 1993.

As a former member of the NZDFA Executive Committee, Tim was well aware of Johne’s disease and its impact. He hadn’t seen a lot of it in Hawke’s Bay and had thought it was more of a South Island problem – a commonly held but inaccurate perception.

Finding the disease in his own deer herd came as a shock.

Infection on The Steyning appeared in 2008 with subtle warnings – Tim was one of about 500 farmers who were alerted by a letter from Johne’s Management Limited noting lesions at slaughter in one of his animals.

Tim then realised there were some symptoms in the herd. Like many other deer farmers in the same situation, he had originally blamed the poor condition of a couple of R2 stags on internal parasites – they were light and scouring – so he drenched these animals a second time.

However, Hawke’s Bay Vet Services veterinarian, Richard Hilson, a member of the nation-wide Johne’s Consultant Network (JCN), confirmed the stags’ symptoms were consistent with Johne’s disease. After culling, an autopsy revealed that Johne’s was indeed the cause of their poor condition.

Tim’s initial reaction was that this was “a bit of a bugger”, particularly given they had just taken on the Focus Farmer role. But he was quick to realise he’d have to plan an approach, not only to deal with the initial outbreak, but also to manage the herd into the future.

Being involved in the Focus Farm project meant access to some top advisers –Richard Hilson, and Professor Frank Griffin and Simon Liggett from the University of Otago’s Disease Research Laboratory. If there’s one thing that became obvious very quickly, it was the importance of quality advice.

Blood testing a sample of animals provided valuable insight into the situation. One of two light sires was positive, although it had no visible lesions, and two out of 30 of the R2 stag mob were also positive. Eleven tail-end R2 hinds were positive, as were two from the 12 mixed age hinds, including one bought-in hind.

They then went ahead and blood-tested the whole herd to gauge the extent of infection. The testing gave a mix of positive, suspect and negative results. One stag and ten percent of the hinds were infected with Johne’s; the remaining sire stags were found to be okay. Fifteen of the 106 R2 in-fawn hinds were positive and two more were suspicious. Forty-two mixed age in-fawn hinds out of 515 were positive and a further 12 suspicious.

The decision was made to kill all deer showing high positive test results – that is those showing an antibody level of 100 or higher. A score this high indicates these animals were probably highly infectious. Tim has since increased the culling pressure to keep on top of the disease. He now culls those with an antibody level of 50 or above, which probably indicates an infected animal that is not yet highly infectious.

Initially, deer with antibody levels under 100 in that first test were kept and fawned in a separate mob. These hinds were culled at weaning, and fawns are being monitored for weights and disease as part of the project. None will be retained.

The outbreak cost the farm about $20 per animal including blood sample collection and lab costs, a total spend of about $15,000 for a whole-herd test. However, with deer worth an average of

$500 or more per head at the time, Tim considered the $20/head cost a proactive and sensible investment.

At least some of the Johne’s disease was introduced via bought-in deer from a couple of sources. It’s hard to buy deer and be confident that they’re free of Johne’s as there is no standardised way of assessing the risk of infection.

Grazing with dairy beef has been investigated as a possible contributor to Johne’s in Tim’s deer. Dairy beef bulls have been a big part of The Steyning operation and these were thought to be a potential source of Johne’s bacteria (Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, also known as MAP) which could then infect young deer. The sample of dairy bulls tested for Johne’s were all negative, however.

Deer genetics may also be a contributor. A study of the data showed more than 40 percent of the progeny from one infected stag were also positive or very suspicious, strongly suggesting a genetic link. Progeny from other Johne’s-infected stags had infection rates of 1–3 percent. All animals linked to that particular bloodline are now being removed.

Tim now also checks if stock have been tested before purchase and seeks key information about the purchase herd history (including whether a JML letter has been received and whether clinical or subclinical Johne’s had ever been diagnosed on the property). He advises other buyers not to be complacent.

“Quick action, including testing and culling, was the best management

option for The Steyning to tackle the worst of the

Johne’s problem.”


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While clinical losses were not very high, the potential was there for a huge problem given that so many deer tested positive and were possibly spreading the Johne’s bacteria. Infection may not show in well-managed weaners, but can still develop into clinical disease in two-year-olds after the stress of their first fawning.

Management on The Steyning has now changed to help

control Johne’s. All R2 stock are tested after scanning while R2 hinds and stags for sale are also tested. Tim also has a policy of follow-through of fawns from hinds that have tested positive. Good stock management is essential to minimise the impacts of the disease. Stress is undoubtedly a factor too, so while a cold winter may be difficult to avoid, feeding deer well, allowing for their social nature and

Don’t be complacent about Johne’s advises deer vetHawke’s Bay Vet Services veterinarian, Richard Hilson has seen many instances of Johne’s disease across Central Hawke’s Bay that have caught farmers by surprise. It’s right across New Zealand, but many North Island farmers think it doesn’t happen in their warmer climate. The worst thing anyone can do is ignore it, he says.

Clinical signs of Johne’s are usually only the tip of the iceberg. The disease may only present as one or two poorly animals during the stress of a tough season, or during fawning or worm challenges, yet is in fact spread across the herd.

Richard Hilson says some deer are more susceptible to Johne’s disease and will obviously be doing poorly. But others that have the infection aren’t affected to the same degree. All these animals can potentially spread the disease and they are not the animals the New Zealand deer industry wants to be breeding from.

These animals will ensure the disease continues as they pass it on and ultimately will mean lower production from the herd nationally and for individual farmers.

Richard is often asked by farmers about the accuracy of testing when a farmer is first faced by a positive result for Johne’s disease in their herd. His advice is to take the results at face value The test results represent a snapshot in time of a dynamic disease a management policy to contain the disease is needed. “Just get on with it – if

there’s smoke, let’s not wait to see the fire.”

The Steyning is a good example of implementing best practice for Johne’s disease management. While culling test-positive deer didn’t immediately eliminate the disease, it is now under control and no longer a major cost to the farm The future threat has been greatly reduced with a clear management plan .

Good farm management practices will always ensure it is a controllable disease in New Zealand, but vigilance is essential – good stockmanship will identify deer with clinical signs that need further attention.

If an animal is scouring or not doing well, identify the problem and don’t ignore it – there is clearly an underlying cause. Seek advice from your veterinarian on whether your animals are affected by heavy worm burdens, blood test for Johne’s, and act on the results – treat or cull.

Richard’s advice is to:

• proveyouhaveJohne’sintheherd–watchforthe clinical signs and blood-test to identify those infected deer that aren’t outwardly affected

• seekgoodadvice

• testR2hindsannuallytomonitorwhat’shappening

• acceptthatyoumayhavetotestalladultstockifJohne’s disease is a problem on the farm.

Interpreting Paralisa™ blood test results for Johne’s disease in deer

■ by Simon Liggett, Deer Research Laboratory, University of Otago

Results from Paralisa blood tests are reported as negative

(Neg), suspicious (Sus) or positive (Pos) and are specific

to the time of sampling. The result is calculated by

measuring the animal’s immune response (antibody

response) to two antigens, Johnin and PPA.

If the antibody response level (known as an antibody

titre) for either antigen is 50 units or more, the result is

Positive. If the PPA titre is 40–49 units and the Johnin titre

is less than 50 units, then the result is Suspect. All other

results are Negative.

Animals with antibody titres higher than 100 units are

more likely to show clinical signs of disease such as

scouring and wasting and have lesions in their mesenteric

lymph nodes that are identified at meat inspection.

Recent examples:

Animal Result Johnin PPA

1 POS 22 103

2 POS 209 130

3 SUS 0 46

4 NEG 15 23


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maintaining good animal health practice will help limit Johne’s losses.

Looking back, Tim believes quick action, including testing and culling, was the best management option for The Steyning to tackle the worst of the Johne’s problem, and he’s comfortable with some on-going control now that it has been reduced to a low level. Currently, Johne’s is expected to be in less than one percent of the herd but he suspects there may always been one or two losses each year. Vigilance and careful management are always going to be important.

But Tim says Johne’s is not causing him grief – he views it as just another thing on the list that farmers have to deal with. While there has been a cost in bringing the early development of disease under control, doing nothing would have cost much more. Tim thinks pragmatically: “Consider it protecting your investment in the long term.” What would have happened if, say, one-third of the herd had been infected and the farm was hit with a hard winter? Doing nothing is not an option when the potential losses are this great.

Dave Lawrencep 03236 4117

e [email protected]

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Questions to ask yourselfAre you confident about your stock?

• Ask your breeder if he tests for Johne’s and what tests have been used.

• WhatisthebreederscontactwithJML.

• Consideryouroptionsifanimalshaven’tbeentested.

Keep Johne’s (and drench resistance) at the top of the list if you

• have light hinds that don’t pick up after a drench

• haveyearlingsorfawnspersistentlyscouringandinpoorcondition

• haveanyscouringdeer

• regularlybuyindeerasreplacementsorforfinishing.

What would you do if you noticed persistently light and scouring animals?

• Drench them?

• Shootthem?

• Ignorethem?

• Ringyourvet?

Do you test the whole herd or just the replacements?

• Do you test R2 hinds annually and hope to breed out the infection?

• Ordoyougetstuckinatthestartandtestthewholeherd?

Be brave – you may not like the answer!

Do not ignore it!

Johne’s disease – identify and act

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