Appropriate sources
Appropriate sources
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 |