The prospect of producing killable weights in deer before their first winter has been put to more than 2000 New Zealand deer farmers, in a CD being delivered this week.
The CD is the initiative of deer industry newcomer, Deer Improvement, which wanted to present an industry perspective on the opportunities which exist to generate more profit for commercial deer farmers.
The short video, playable on home computers, explains how the objective of 'the 100kg weaner' fits with the industry strategy to grow demand for venison outside the traditional European pre-Christmas season. It also explains how feeding and breeding developments are putting this ideal within reach of commercial deer farmers.
Deer Industry New Zealand Chief Executive, MJ Loza, and Producer Manager, Tony Pearse, feature on the video speaking on market demands; Dr Simone Hoskin, Nutrionist of Massey University, talks about feeding developments and Dr Geoff Asher of AgResearch Invermay gives insight on recent breeding developments.
Deer Improvement's own geneticist, Jake Chardon explains the factors that drive genetic gain. "For any species and any trait the formula is the same", he says. "We can influence things like selection intensity and generation interval, and pulling these levers in the right direction will generate a dramatic response. The performance of the best is way ahead of the average, and big improvements are there for the taking".
Deer Improvement Director Peter Gatley said the idea of recording the message in this form became obvious at farmer meetings where specialists in different fields found themselves speaking the same language. "We'd all like to see the development of year-round demand for chilled venison, but whatever the shape of the venison schedule curve in future, deer farmers have to push for greater efficiency in the conversion of feed to carcass weight. No livestock farmer is immune from that. Even farmers who use hybrid terminal sires need to improve their breeding females".
Mr Gatley said the prolonged crisis in venison pricing is generating a variety of responses from farmers. "The opportunists are getting out of the industry and those who remain tend to have a long-term view and are serious about lifting performance. There are still plenty of innovators in deer farming".
Note: Copies of the disc, in CD or VHS format, are available from Deer Improvement.
| Copyright 2010 Deer Improvement