Deer numbers have fallen to levels last seen in 1994 as the sector continues to feel the fallout from record prices earlier this decade.The latest available census, done in 2008, showed a herd of 1.2 million reports The ODT. The kill this year was forecast to fall below 400,000, compared with a peak a few years ago of 750,000. Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) chief executive Mark O’Connor attributed the decline to farmers killing capital stock as venison prices fell, a situation from which the industry had yet to recover.

He believed there was a rebalancing occurring in the industry, and those farmers who remained carrying larger numbers of animals would be more productive. DINZ chairman John Scurr, of Wanaka, said the forecast kill was lower than the board would like, but that was a factor of supply and demand which was beyond its control. The sector had been hit by changing land use, and much of its traditional finishing country was now being used for dairying. That meant deer herds were being pushed into the high country foothills. This was despite deer farming being financially competitive with lamb finishing and wool and dairy grazing, he said.

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Improved deer carcass weights through better use of technology and shared knowledge is the aim of a new focus farm initiative that had its first field day last week. Riversdale farm consultant Alastair Gibson said the aim was for farmers to gain confidence to make changes to their systems and operations to boost performance reports The Southland Times.

“We want you to develop confidence and a good understanding of farming systems,” he told more than 60 farmers who attended the open day at George and Mary Scott’s finishing property near Pukerau.Declining returns and pressure from dairy conversions had seen deer numbers fall, but it appeared numbers were now stabilising. That would help to stabilise prices as well but there was little that could be done to alleviate the impact of the foreign exchange markets, attendees were told.

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A higher than expected deer kill this season could mean processors next year have just half the number of deer they had two years ago. DINZ chairman John Scurr said last week farmers were taking advantage of high venison prices, addressing tight cash flow and dry weather in some parts of the country to sell animals reported the ODT. Venison prices have remained high for much of the season and were still at $8.18 a kg for premium grades last week. The deer kill has grown from 450,000 to 500,000 several years ago to more than 700,000 in recent years but looks like dipping back next year.

Mr Scurr said it was too early to release numbers, but the trend was there and would have funding implications for the grower’s body, DINZ, which got a levy on animals killed. There was no evidence the high kill was harming markets in which DINZ, processors and importers had invested heavily in promotion. Mr Scurr told farmers at the Deer Industry Environment Awards in South Otago that markets wanted NZ venison and on a recent visit to Europe he was delighted to see racks sell for 29 a kg ($NZ71.50) compared with similar cuts of Austrian game venison which retailed for 9 a kg.

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