Feed supply
The predominant feed source for deer is permanent pasture (ryegrass/white clover). Winter or summer crops (swedes, rape, turnips and fodder beet), lucerne, silage or barley are used to improve the performance at different times of the year.

Seasonal pasture curves and pasture quality vary widely throughout New Zealand.

Research has shown that animal performance is affected by pasture quality. 

Typical ME values of NZ feeds 

High quality	Spring pasture (short)	12.0 MJME/kgDM
	Barley	12.5
Medium quality	Pasture silage	9.0
	Maize silage	9.5
Low quality	Wheat straw	7.0
	Aged meadow hay	7.0