Deer fetching better returns

Lyndon and Millie Matthews have increased their deer numbers as models show they are getting a better return reports Country-Wide. Farmax models carried out on Puketira in North Canterbury have shown deer breeding and finishing is returning 20c/kg DM (on a venison schedule of $7.50/kg) while sheep breeding is generating 14.8c/kg DM (lamb worth $5/kg). Velvet stags are returning 13.2c/kg DM at a velvet price of $60/kg and 16.8c/kg DM if velvet is worth $80kg net. For this reason Lyndon and Millie Matthews have reduced sheep numbers and increased deer numbers. The breeding hinds are put to a terminal sire for the fast-growing weaners upon which their operation is based, but the terminal sire is backed up with a Red stag as an insurance against stag failure. Deer Improvement genetics have been used for breeding replacements and as these genetics coming into the breeding females, they are now starting to see progress in Red weaner growth rates. To make room for ewes and lambs, the Matthews need to get the weaner deer finished and ready for sale by the beginning of September. The couple have their first draft at the beginning of September and draft fortnightly after that until all the weaners are gone. One third of the weaners (the hybrids) are killed in September, the Reds are killed in October and the final third gone in November. This pattern, says Lyndon, is coming through consistently. Carcaseweights have increased incrementally over the years and last season the average carcaseweight in the stags was 60kg, while in the hinds it was 55kg. Lyndon says in the early days of farming deer they used to be pleased if they got a 50kg CW; the progress is a result of better feeding and genetics.