Research

Fennessy, P.F. (1986) Breeding and genetic improvement in deer.

Fennessy, P.F. (1987) Breeding and genetic improvement in deer.

Rapley, C.M. (1988) Breeding and Genetics Workshop

Fennessy, P.F. (1988) Breeding and management programmes for improved venison and velvet production.

Mackintosh, C.G. (2000) Breeding for Tb resistance in deer.

Report of a 3 year trial showing a strong genetic basis to Tb resistance the heritability of this

Drew, K.R. (1997) Breeding for venison

Garrick, D.J. (1997) Breeding Objectives for Farmed Deer

This paper briefly outlines some of the considerations involved in the development of selection objecyives for deer farmers

Archer, J.A. (2007) Breeding Objectives for the New Zealand Deer Industry

Growth rate is important for early kill and terminal sire production systems. Carcase composition, maternal reproduction ability and fawn survival are important in late kill production systems. Accuracy of breeding values (BVs) that make up an index will be an issue that can affect the usefulness of the indices or allow artificial manipulation of the system

Drew, K.R. (1981) Breeds : an appraisal

An appraisal of the breeds of deer most important for farming in New Zealand (Fallow and Red)

Scott, I (1998) Brucella ovis in deer

This paper describes the occurrence of the first naturally occurring outbreak of Brucella ovis in farmed red deer

West, D.M. (1999) Brucella ovis in Deer - Research Results and Research Needs

A pilot study investigated transmission of B ovis in young stags. Two of three 9-month-old stags became infected after ionoculation. Those stags transmitted infection to four of eight in-contact stags during therut, but did not transmit infection to any of 11 in-contact rams. Serology and semen culture were effective in detecting infection.
Further studies are underway to investigate direct through-fence transmission, deer to ram transmission, and the role that deer behaviour in bachelor groups may play in B ovis transmission

Ridler, A.L. (2000) Brucella ovis in stags

Brucella ovis is an important cause of infertility in rams in NZ. Research has shown it can cause reduced semen quality and stag fertility

Ridler, A.L. (2002) Brucella ovis infection in deer.

West, D.M. (1998) Brucella ovis infection of deer - Current and future implications in sheep.

Much effort has gone into controlling the spread of Brucella ovis in sheep. With the discovery of Brucella ovis in deer it is of concern whether rams can be cross-infected by stags

Scott, I (1999) Brusella ovis: Recent developments and control options

This paper covers a history of B. ovis infections, recent cases and recommendatiosn for controlling B. ovis on farm