New Zealand's largest deer farmer, Landcorp Farming, has confidence in the future of the deer industry, said its general manager of farm operations.
Addressing the Deer Industry New Zealand conference in Methven recently, Graeme Mulligan said the company was confident in the future of deer farming.
While Landcorp's reliance on dairying would grow considerably, it was still keen to be in the deer industry.
Deer provided a diversity of product mix to the business and featured in its revenue strategy.
''We need to farm the farm, not the fashion of the day. If the land attributes are right, then you've still got the right animal,'' Mr Mulligan.
The industry was young and the business needed refining to overcome the challengesTwenty-six Landcorp farms carry deer, mostly in parallel with their sheep and beef production.
The company had a good balance between venison and velvet production, Mr Mulligan said, although it would be looking at the figures to see if it had the balance right.
''We're going to do the figures but it won't be a big swing.''
- by Maureen Bishop