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Scientists are pooling their knowledge to develop a systematic programme aimed at improving the temperament of farmed deer.

New Zealand is the world leader in deer farming, but the animals have been farmed for only 20-30 years. Selection for temperament is expected to result in improvements in animal welfare, productivity, efficiency, farmer safety, and meat quality.

The project is being managed by the deer unit at AgResearch Invermay with input and partial funding supplied by genetics company, Deer Improvement.

Invermay scientist Jason Archer says "we're almost certain there's genetic control over temperament in deer, but objectively quantifying and describing it is something no one has ever done". For this reason the project team includes researchers with experience in deer, dairy and beef.

Deer Improvement Director, Peter Gatley, says the genetics company is inspired by comments from deer farmers that they see clear patterns of inheritance in some animals. "This suggests there are real gains to be made, and if this is the case, Artificial Insemination (AI) will have a big role to play. AI generates offspring in multiple herds and that gives reliable evaluations. AI is also essential because it'll enable large numbers of farmers to use the sires we've identified which have the desirable trait."

Peter Gatley points out that this approach continues to provide improvement in dairy cattle temperament even after 3000 years of domestication. "It used to be a big deal breaking in twenty heifers to milking and leg ropes were commonplace. Today, a herd five times the size will bring in a hundred heifers with no problem.'

'This shows what can be achieved by across-herd sire referencing and Artificial Insemination. Deer are only a few generations removed from the mountains so there's a lot of potential".

For further information contact Peter Gatley, Deer Improvement. Phone 07 856 0700.