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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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 information, to groups that come together to identify opportunities on farm.
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Deer Facts
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Disaster Relief
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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
Deer health webinars
Deer Country podcasts
P2P - A Deer Industry initiative
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Research
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Research
The deer industry invests in industry good research in all aspects of the industry, from genetics to processing. Making research outputs available to practitioners is critical to realise the value of this investment. Most of these results are available for the purpose of supporting a profitable industry.
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Seeka
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Research Library
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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 and 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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Central Regions and Taihape Velvet and Hard Antler Competition
DINZ Home
Events
Central Regions and Taihape Velvet and Hard Antler Competition
Date
28 Nov - 28 Nov
Time
12:00pm
Location
Feilding
Cost
TBC
Event Details
Location:
Feilding
Date:
Saturday 28 November 2026
Time:
12:00pm - 12:00pm
Venue:
Craig's Deer Yards
Cost:
TBC
Contact:
Craig Hocken
Phone:
027 457 6388
Email:
chocken@inspire.net.nz
Register
Other upcoming events
Pleasant Point
27
Oct
Raincliff Station field day
Find out more >
Hawkes Bay
19
Nov
Hawke's Bay Velvet Competition
Find out more >
South Canterbury
27
Nov
South Canterbury Velvet Competition
Find out more >
Feilding
28
Nov
North Island Velvet Competition
Find out more >
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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