Farming Systems

There are three basic types of farming operations:

• Breeding
• Venison finishing and
• Velvet production.

Farmers may concentrate on one or a combination of farming operations.

Deer breeding involves breeding and selling stock.

Rising one year hinds not selected as replacement breeding stock are finished for venison or sold at live sales.

Breeders can focus on breeding for venison or velvet production.

Venison finishing involves purchasing all stock as weaners in March or May and selling as finished stock to a minimum carcase weight of 55-65kg specifically for the chilled venison trade which peaks from October through to January.

Velvet production involves purchasing or breeding stock and selecting stags with potential to retain for velvet production.

Stags not selected for the velvet herd are finished (having been velveted), but do not meet the timing requirements of the chilled venison trade.