24 August 2009
Deer farms buck recession
The average deer farmers’ net cash income is up on last year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s farm monitoring data shows.
The model results and commentary from MAF’s deer monitoring reports were released this week showing deer farms’ net income increased 43 percent in the North Island and 22 percent in the South Island between 2007/08 and 2008/09.
The improvement comes despite the impact of a drought affected season, resulting in a decrease in both fawning percentages and carcass weights.
MAF Policy Analyst Deborah Hackell says deer farmer morale is positive with farmers expecting their businesses will remain profitable in the short to medium-term.
“Tight supply and continued demand have driven up the price of venison but prices for velvet are down, resulting in a shift away from velveting stags,” says Deborah.
“Drought has also been a key factor across the country, contributing to a 24 percent increase in total farm working expenses in the North Island. The South Island fared better but still went into the 2008 winter with lower than average feed reserves and stock condition.
“This was due to both the 2008 drought and the increased price of supplementary feed. Fortunately, detrimental impacts were limited due to a relatively kind winter.”
MAF’s model deer farms are created from information drawn from 20 deer farms and a wide cross section of agribusiness representatives.
The data and commentary for both model farms is available at: http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/rural-nz/statistics-and-forecasts/farm-monitoring/
Media contact:
Deborah Gray
Senior Communications Advisor
MAF Policy
Phone: 64-4-894 0715
Mobile: 029 894 0715
Email: deborah.gray@maf.govt.nz
