Aug 15, 2024
Marlborough Deer Farmers Community Engagement
4 August 2024
Marlborough Deer Farmers were pleased to have the opportunity to present to two Marlborough Boys’ College (MBC) Groups over two different days. The first event was held on 24th June and the second on 25th July, with around 25 boys at each day.
The main aim of the farm visit was to promote the deer industry from an on-farm perspective with a list of questions provided by the MBC teachers who were very engaged and encouraged the boys to ask lots of questions.
Geoff Hayes (NZDFA Marlborough Branch Chair) hosted the day and answered the questions in a manner that was made both informative and interesting from a farmer’s perspective. Different topics were covered:
- Why do I produce deer/velvet?
- What are the environmental factors?
- What is the public perception of the industry?
- What factors allow you to grow deer in Marlborough?
- What labour inputs are there?
- Where are the markets for velvet?
The only difference between the two different days was the first group was able to see some deer at a short distance that were being hand feed as they were slightly older animals and this gave the students an up-close perspective of how deer interact with people.
As an NZDFA Executive Committee member, I was very pleased with how the event was run by Geoff and the time put in by Geoff to research the questions provided showed through in his presentation. As an extra incentive the boys were supplied with an afternoon tea to help them get through the day which was greatly appreciated.
Justin Stevens
NZDFA Executive Committee
