Feb 28, 2025
Deer farmers are “cautiously optimistic,” according to results from a DINZ survey conducted late last year.
“The sentiment of the deer farming industry is mixed but leans towards cautious optimism,” DINZ Policy and Research Manager Emil Murphy says.
The aim of the survey was to gauge farmer sentiment and intentions for the future, their attitudes towards farm planning, and also better quantify the current structure of the industry.
“To make good decisions, you need access to the right information, and that was the underlying driver of the survey. We needed to get the information we didn’t have, then add that to what we did have to form a better understanding of where we are now and where the industry is heading.”
Survey results were based on feedback from 144 farmers randomly selected to proportionally represent the geographical spread of deer farming across the country. At the same time, NZDFA branches contacted many of their respective members, and we were pleased to see some similarities with the information from the larger survey.
The survey shed more light on a topic of much discussion – how to interpret the number of deer processed. Following COVID, the number of hinds killed increased to form a larger proportion of the kill than stags. However, at the end of last year, venison processors reported that 19,000 fewer animals were processed than projected.
“The reduction was in both stags and hinds. However, the number of hinds slaughtered is falling at a faster rate compared to stags,” says Murphy.
Anecdotal reports to DINZ directors and staff point to an increase in deer numbers, with this position supported by feedback from Advance Party groups, the NZDFA branch chairs network and deer agents.
“We believe that there is a modest firming of herd numbers, based on future intention feedback from farmers,” Murphy says.
The survey provided updated information on the structure of the industry, highlighting the diversity in farm sizes and the distribution of deer across different operations. The collected data showed that an average-sized deer farm stocks around 350 deer, with venison-focused operations on average farming slightly fewer animals. About three-quarters of farms with deer also farmed other livestock species, which is less than what we originally thought.
While velvet-focused farms were the main ones that had increased numbers over the last three years, there was no difference between the future intent for venison or velvet operations going forward.
Younger farmers, or farmers who have farmed deer for less than 10 years, were more likely to increase their deer numbers. This was also true for larger-scale farmers. These farmers were also more likely to be open to adopting new regulations and practices and showed higher interest in integrated farm planning (IFP).
“In general, farmers are wary of the challenges posed by regulatory changes and the effort required to comply with new standards. Smaller-scale farmers in particular are less likely to see the benefits of integrated farm planning and are more resistant to change,” Murphy says.
Owners of smaller farms and those farming for longer expressed more concerns about the future.
“They are slightly more likely to reduce their herd size, but the majority are looking to maintain current numbers.”
Two-thirds of the farmers who were looking to reduce their herd size said this was due to planned retirement. But Murphy adds that their plans for retirement could be influenced by frustration due to the constant changes in environmental regulations and the perceived burden of compliance, affecting the livestock sector generally.
Overall, there was a recognition of the efforts and support provided by DINZ. However, industry feedback reflected a need for more practical, streamlined, and supportive approaches to help farmers navigate regulatory requirements and adopt new practices.
The survey results represent a snapshot in time, Murphy says.
“They are a starting point to help inform and guide DINZ activities and advocacy. It will be followed on by further efforts to capture changes and developments in the industry.”
