DEER INDUSTRY NZ
The deer difference
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The deer difference
Deer are a rich part of folklore in many cultures. Their unique products have long had an elite status as healthy foods and natural medicines. Our farmers are innovative, skilled and resourceful -- and most importantly, passionate about the deer difference.
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Farming the dream
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Free-range deer farming
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Deer welfare is key
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Deer and the environment
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The deer farming year
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Glossary
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Our history
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Our people
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Deer Industry New Zealand
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Deer Industry New Zealand
Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) represents and works alongside deer farmers, processors and marketers in New Zealand and in our international markets. This section covers the activities of DINZ and its associates.
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DINZ: our role
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DINZ strategy
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Deer Industry Conference
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Environmental stewardship
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Gallery
Gallery
Red deer
Elk/Wapiti
Fawns
Deer in hard antler
Industry Awards
Industry Awards
Deer Industry Award
Environmental Awards
Deer Industry Photo Competition
Industry support
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Publications and media
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Quality assurance
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Research
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Statistics
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Training and careers
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VelTrak
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Velvet market development
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Venison market development
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Our great products
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Our great products
New Zealand is the world’s largest source of tender, delicious farmed venison – arguably the most nutritious and healthy meat on the market – as well as highly-prized ingredients for modern health foods and traditional Chinese medicines.
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Deer velvet
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Farmed venison
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Fascinating co-products
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Our stories
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Events
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Contact Us
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DEER HUB
Velvet
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Velvet
Velvet antler is 'the deer antler during its phase of rapid growth', and it gets the name ‘velvet‘ because of its velvet-like covering of hair.
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Antlers
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Antler biology
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Velvetting
Velvetting
National Velvetting Standards Body (NVSB)
Velvet removal
Shed examples for new standards
Approved maintenance compounds
Trophy animals
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Management of velvet stags
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Health, Safety and Food Hygiene Guidelines for Velvet Competitions and Stag Sales
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Breeding
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Breeding
Central to successful deer farming in New Zealand is reproduction management. Poor performance in this area can limit farm productivity. Management of fertility, photo-periods (day length), calving and stags all contribute to performance.
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Deer Select
Deer Select
What is Deer Select?
Sire summaries
Genetic trends
Genetic linkage
Purchasing deer using Deer Select
Recording deer on Deer Select
Traits, BVs and Indices
Genetics
Genetics
Mate allocation calculator
Stud breeders
Commercial herds
Stags
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Hinds
Hinds
Annual cycle of hinds
Mating management of hinds
Puberty in hinds
Yearling mating management
Reproductive wastage
Reproductive disorders in hinds
Looking after the hind
Calving
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Artificial breeding
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Photoperiod
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Reproductive measurements
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Scanning
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Farm Environment
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Farm Environment
Learn more about water and soil management, best practice methods to improve biosecurity on farm, and health and safety reminders to minimise risk in your business.
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Biosecurity
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Climate change
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Environmental code of practice
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Environmental Management Handbook Modules
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Health and safety
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Water, soils and wallowing
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Wintering feed systems
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Sustainable deer farming videos
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Government’s Greenhouse Gas proposal
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Feeding
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Feeding
Nutrition, both intake and feed quality, has a major impact on productivity, determining reproductive performance, animal health, weaner live weight gain and timing of venison supply.
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Weaning
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Feed sources
Feed sources
Cereals
Crops
Grasses
Legumes
Herbs
Fodder trees
Management
Feeding deer
Feeding deer
Matching intake with seasonal requirements
Balancing supply and demand
Feeding systems
Intake requirements
Diet selection
Feed quality
Body condition score
Grazing management
Feed or energy intake tables
Deer feeding resources
Fallow deer: Feeding and shelter
Droughts – how to survive the dry
Non-GM feed for Cervena deer
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Forage rotation planner
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Feeding tools
Feeding tools
Venison growth curves
Replacement hind growth curves
Deer stock unit calculator
Feed cost comparer
Feed intake calculator
Crop measurement
Deer feed management
Health
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Health
Maintaining good deer health is crucial to production. This section covers the Major issues, Management calendar and Veterinary medicines.
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Major issues
Major issues
Parasites
Abscess fusiformis
Facial eczema
Johne's disease
Leptospirosis
Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF)
Ryegrass staggers
Ticks
Tuberculosis (TB)
Yersiniosis
Trace element deficiencies
Veterinary medicines
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Management calendar
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Health tools
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Welfare
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Welfare
Encompases all practices on farm, in shed, right through to transportation. Efficient deer handling, management and facility design is paramount in minimising stress on farm.
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Behaviour
Behaviour
Mating
Stags and antlers
Stress
Sociability
Temperament
Wallowing
Hill country grazing
Transporting deer
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Welfare
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Handling
Handling
Handling deer overview
Fencing
Handling weaners and stags
Management
Managing stress risk
Mustering
Property and paddock layout
Restraint and weighing systems
Handling Wapiti
Shed design
Fallow deer: Yards/Handling
VelTrak
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Thermal comfort
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Farm planning
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Support
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Support
Here you can find information about support services in the industry, ranging from educational events, to groups that come together to identify opportunities on farm.
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Disaster Relief
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Professional services
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Deer Facts
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Advance Parties
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Deer Industry Environment Groups
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Events in the industry
Events in the industry
P2P Regional workshops
Deer Tech Expo
Deer Workshops for Rural Professionals
Conference proceedings
Next Generation
The Big Deer Tour
Future Deer Farmers Experience
Planning and financial management
Planning and financial management
Financial performance
Breeder finisher weaner contracts
Deer farming production targets
Deer performance analysis
Podcasts and webinars
Podcasts and webinars
Keen on Genes podcasts
Keen on Genes videos
P2P - A Deer Industry initiative
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Research
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NZDFA
Why join the NZDFA?
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About
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About
The NZDFA was formed in 1975 to assist in maximising sustainable benefits for all deer farmers and to provide a linkage to the agricultural industry and the public.
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History and structure
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Strategic direction
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Membership and costs
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Branches
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NZDFA nomination forms & constitutional information
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AGMs, Branch Chairs' Meetings and Annual Reports
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Associated societies
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Governance
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Awards
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Awards
Information about various NZDFA awards such as the Matuschka Award, Life Members and velvet competitions
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Velvet and hard antler competitions
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Life Members Honours Board
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Matuschka Award
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NZDFA news
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Events
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Contact us
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NZ Fallow Society
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NZ Fallow Society
A resource for Fallow Deer farmers. The Fallow Deer Society was established to encourage, educate, and support the farming of Fallow Deer in New Zealand.
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About the NZ Fallow Society
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Husbandry
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Tag information
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Breeders
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Useful links
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Shed example photos
Deer Hub Home
Velvet & antlers
Velvetting
Shed examples for new standards
Shed example photos
Typical older style deer shed that requires clean zones
Interior of previous shed looking towards the clean zone
Areas around freezers need to be capable of being kept clean
Bench and velvet rack needs to be covered to ensure no build up of bacteria
Clean zone with some items to finish
Clean zones
Crush cover requires repair
Crush cover requires repair
Crush cover requires repair
Crush cover requires repair
Crush in the process of being painted to eliminate rust and areas where bacteria may build
Deer crush in the clean zone. note the crush covering requires repair
Dirt floor and raw timber dont meet requirements of the RCS
Doors required to be coated
Example of a clean zone
Example of thermometer that could be used to verify freezer temperature 1
Example of thermometer that could be used to verify freezer temperature
Examples of thermometers that could be used to verify freezer temperature
Examples of thermometers that could be used to verify freezer temperature
Examples of thermometers that could be used to verify freezer temperature
Interior of previous shed looking towards the clean zone
Old walls re coated with polyurethane
Raw timber in the clean zone needs to be coated
Requires a pad to mitigate risk of transferring muddirt into the freezer
Same view shows unpainted pen door before the clean zone
Same walls after sanding and re coating with polyurethane
Same walls after sanding and re coating with polyurethane
Same walls after sanding and re coating with polyurethane
Same walls after sanding and re coating with polyurethane
Shed Walls And Doors Require Painting Or Covering BEFORE
Shed walls and doors require re coating
This canvas cover and pen walls are not acceptable in the clean zone
To be included in a clean zone these shed walls and doors require painting or covering
Wooden floor not acceptable needs have a washable covering to prevent bacteria build up
Work beginning on clean zone
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress creating a clean zone
Work in progress creating a clean zone
Work in progress creating a clean zone
Work in progress to create a clean zone
Work in progress to create a clean zone
Work in progress to create a clean zone
Work in progress to create a clean zone
Work in progress to create a clean zone
Work in progress to create a clean zone
Work in progress to create a clean zone
Work in progress to create a clean zone
Work in progress to create a clean zone
Work in progress using recycled products
Work in progress using recycled products
Work in progress using recycled products
Work in progress using recycled products
Work in progress using recycled products
Work in progress using recycled products
Work in progress within the clean zone
Work in progress. 20yrs of dirt being blasted off before sanding and re coating
A YOUNG BULL FINDS SYMMETRY AGAINST THE MACROCARPAS
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Not a paid NZDFA member? To become a member of the NZDFA, phone 04 453 4500 or email info@deernz.org
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Contact information
Level 5, Wellington Chambers, 154 Featherston Street, Wellington
04 453 4500
info@deernz.org
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