Deer industry stalwart Philip Irwin, who retired from PGG Wrightson earlier this year, has decided he’s not ready to put his feet up and has joined genetics company Deer Improvement.
Philip is excited about his new role which puts him back in contact with the deer farmers he came to know over a long career in the stock and station business including 18 years as Wrightson’s National Deer Velvet Manager. His new role involves a shift in focus from velvet to venison, and he has responsibility for North Island sales and service for the company which offers commercial deer herds the opportunity to access elite genetics via Artificial Insemination (AI).
“Now that the industry database is able to rank stags with reliable evaluations based on progeny testing we need to ensure the best of them get plenty of use. I’ve seen the impact of genetic gain in velvet production and it’s great to be making real progress on the venison front”.
While Philip moves from velvet to venison, he replaces Vanessa Crowley who is moving in the other direction, taking up a position with Deer Industry New Zealand as Velvet Marketing Services Manager.
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