Feb 13, 2025
Canterbury/West Coast Field Day
On the last Thursday of January, 82 people converged on Stu Stokes’ farm in Sheffield for an afternoon discussing weaning and drought management ... and a nice venison BBQ and drink at the end.
Organised by the Canterbury/West Coast Branch of the NZDFA and expertly facilitated by South Canterbury deer farmer Danette McKeown, the event featured three farmers and one vet as speakers (Stu Stokes, Scott Hassall, Aam Waite, Chantee McCloy). This ensured that information was relevant, practical and at the right level to get farmer engagement. The day was characterised by lots of discussion, and a positive social atmosphere. The CWC branch also made a lifetime membership presentation to Malcolm Gilbert.
Pleasingly the audience covered all ages with good representation from the younger ages. While the event was directly aimed at CWC farmers, attendees also came from South Canterbury, Nelson, Blenheim, Manawatu and Taihape.
Three generations of deer farmers going back to the beginning (from left to right): Stu, Holly, Pat and Bruce (Pat and Bruce had deer farm licence number 28)
Adam Waite;
Chantee McCloy;
Scott Hassall
Twenty three of the eighty two attendees
Industry stalwarts: John Tacon, Tony Pearse, Malcom Gilbert
A summary sheet of farmer insights has been sent out to all registered attendees and is available upon request, but some notable personal observations:
- Small steps (1-2% improvements) may seem minor but are cost effective, easier for you to change, and the improvements can snowball (e.g. a small lift in calving leads to more animals to sell and less dry hinds).
- Plan well so that you enjoy working with your deer (cull any aggressive deer – aggression is hereditary).
- If weaning straight onto a truck, tag the weaners at least a week beforehand (less stress and time on trucking day).
- You can identify poor producing hinds with just a little work (blue dyed weaners mark the poor producing hinds, remove the bottom 10% performers).
- Minimise stress at weaning (short time in yards, drench and magnesium only, where possible tag next time).
Quote of the day: “magnesium is like a doobie for weaners”!!
