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Deer Farming
AC>Internet: carroll1@chelsea.ios.com
AC>Stuart, I saw your posting in alt.sustainable.agriculture about ag.
AC>communication in which you mentioned you were an organic deer farmer. I
AC>was in NZ this past October and was very interested in the many deer
AC>farms I saw there. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to talk with any
AC>of the farmers. I have enquired on several agricultural bullitin boards
AC>here in the USA about deer farming but haven't gotten any response. I
AC>have a small cattle ranch in the state of Missouri that is not making any
AC>money and would be interested in trying something new on a small scale.
AC>Any information about deer products, markets etc. would be greatly
AC>appreciated.
AC>Thanks
Hi Armand
I farm about 400+ breeding hinds and about the same velveting stags as
well as finishing most offspring. Vension gets about 3x beef prices and
I produce more meat/acre as well. The veleting (which is harvesting the
antlers is more profitable as well. The venison marketing is expanding
as people realise how good farm raise venison is. Most goes to Germany,
but increasing amounts are going to America and could eventually be the
biggest market in the world.
New Zealand is the first and largest Deer farming nation in the world
and after approx 15+ years the deer are pretty tame on the whole but are
still very strong and fast animals so good facilties are reguired to to
the job properly as well as good stockmanship. The deer are good to
work with and are very intelligent and are easy to handle with pratice.
Perimeter fences are 6 foot and internals 5 foot. After that it is
pretty well common sense. Deer do not on the whole have a lot of fat (a
big marketing aspect) and so do not take kindly to not being fed
properly, but then I do not know any stock that does.
Happy to respond to any questions etc
Kind regards
Stuart NZ
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