South Island deer 2009

Model chapter

This chapter contains model results and commentary from the 2009 deer monitoring programme as a printable PDF. The chapter provides information on the production and financial status of the South Island deer model farm. Model chapters will no longer be published in the pastoral monitoring report.

Download the model chapter in PDF format [327K PDF]

To request a printed copy of this document please contact policy.publications@maf.govt.nz

Data release

This release provides key points and budget tables from the 2009 deer monitoring programme for the South Island deer model. Final results from the 2009 monitoring round, with commentary on the model are due for release in late July 2009. This budget was compiled in June 2009 and is based on farmer and industry expectations at the time.

Key points

Physical production in the 2008/09 season was near average. The 2007/08 drought had some flow-on effects on fawning percentages, early season weights and finishing times.
Net cash income increased 22 percent to $101 per stock unit. This was due to a 34 percent increase in the average schedule price of venison.
The average velvet price in 2008/09 was down 23 percent on 2007/08 to $58 per kilogram. This was below the estimated national weighted average of $61.50 per kilogram. Velvet producers are hopeful that the expected lower supply in 2009/10 will increase the velvet price. In the meantime, there has been a shift away from velveting stags.
Farm working expenditure rose 24 percent to $138 400 in 2008/09, driven by items such as feed, fertiliser and repairs and maintenance. These increases represented close to maintenance input levels for the property after a number of below maintenance years.
Farm profit before tax increased 60 percent to $81 300 in 2008/09. Increased profitability saw discretionary expenditure increase markedly on drawings, capital purchases, and development.
Deer farmer morale was positive with farmer expectations their businesses will remain profitable in the short to medium-term. This is backed by meat companies' cautious optimism in venison prices.

South Island deer model tables and graph

Table 1: Key parameters, financial results and budget for the South Island deer model
Table 2: South Island deer model budget
Table 3: South Island deer model expenditure
Figure 1: South Island deer model profitability trends

Download Excel format [230K XLS]

To request this information in CSV format please contact stats_info@maf.govt.nz

Information about the model

Deer are run on two main types of farms - deer units within a mixed livestock system, and stand-alone deer farms. The majority of deer in New Zealand are farmed on deer units and they are generally smaller than stand-alone deer farms. The deer farm models in MAF's Pastoral Monitoring Reports are based on stand-alone deer farms and therefore represent an important but not predominant deer farming type. Comparing the sector using a stand-alone deer farm is important for tracking the deer sector's progress and to better understand developments occurring in this sector.

The South Island deer model represents a family-run, stand-alone deer farm in Southland and South Otago. The model is based on running predominantly red hinds in the breeding herd, with hybrids used as terminal sires. The hind herd is characterised by a blending of red deer from the United Kingdom and Eastern Europe. Progeny from the breeding hinds which are not required as replacements in the breeding or velvet herds are sold for slaughter between 10 and 18 months of age, with final culling of replacements at 20 months.

The model is created from information drawn from 20 deer farms and a wide cross section of agribusiness representatives. The aim of the model is to typify an average stand-alone deer farm for the southern South Island. Budget figures are averaged from the surveyed properties and adjusted to represent a model deer farm. Income figures include off-farm income, new borrowing, and other cash income.

The model farm size and stocking rate changed in 2007/08 to reflect the trend of a higher proportion of the regional deer herd being farmed on more extensive properties. This was due in part to a change in land use of the more intensive deer units.

For more information on this model contact: trish.burborough@maf.govt.nz

Contact for Enquiries

Farm Monitoring Programme Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0623
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
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