Deer Farming
Commercial deer farming in Europe and New Zealand began in the early 1970's. For many farmers it has proved to be a lucrative alternative to other forms of livestock fanning. In Europe it offers an unsubsidised alternative to sheep, beef and dairy farming, especially in areas with poorer soil types. One of the main advantages of deer farming is that, provided there is adequate tree cover, winter housing is not required.
European deer farms are small. Germany has over 2,000 deer farms stocked mostly with the smaller deer type (fallow deer), but herds only average around 18 deer. Because most countries have restrictions on the capture of feral deer, growth in deer farming in most European countries is constrained mainly by the non-availability of breeding stock. In most European countries it is illegal to cut velvet for sale, although it has to be removed before deer are transported. This means that deer farming income is from livestock sales and venison production only.
In Asia deer are farmed mostly for their velvet, so the stag:hind ratio is around 60:40 compared to 35:65 in New Zealand Herds are small, and they are generally held in yards and fed concentrates, Few deer are killed for venison consumption. In the Republic of Korea (ROK) numbers have increased to about 143,000 but, as feed costs are high, long term production is dependant on a high velvet price.
In summary, the major suppliers of world venison are Europe and New Zealand. The west European feral production is estimated at around 45,000 tonnes (carcass weight). As most of this is consumed by hunters only about 10,000 tonnes is sold. A further 8,000 tonnes is imported from eastern Europe.
There are several thousand deer farms in Europe but as herds are small, farmed deer numbers are thought to be around 300,000 deer and most of these are the smaller fallow deer type. The resulting farmed venison production is estimated at about 2,000 tonnes. With only 10,000 tonnes sold from the hunt and 8,000 tonnes imported from eastern Europe, total European venison sales from local production are thought to be around 20,000 tonnes.
Outside Europe, the main venison exporter is New Zealand. In the 1993 June year it produced around 22,000 tonnes of farmed venison on a carcass weight basis and just under 1,000 tonnes of feral venison.
Of world velvet production, estimated at around 5,000 tonnes, 80% is produced by Russia. New Zealand is thought to be the next largest producer with around 400 tonnes, followed by China with 200 tonnes.
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Rural Affairs Coordinator
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Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
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NEW ZEALAND
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