Mid Canterbury's first deer industry technology expo in Ashburton recently enabled farmers to get one-on-one advice about smart farming solutions from industry representatives in a relaxed, open environment.

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Alongside fixed exhibitor display stands, there was a set presentation programme run in two adjoining rooms where exhibitors presented their products in 25-minute segments to small groups.

It gave deer farmers a chance to hear about the product, but then talk one-on-one with the exhibitor afterwards.

Deer farmers are locking in venison returns as at least one major processor signals a correction looming on the peak pricing.

Venison marketers have reported good uptake from farmers for the supply contracts on offer to mid-November in the North Island and to February in the South Island.

While prices and conditions vary between companies and islands it’s normal they generally peak in October before easing off as autumn approaches.

Calls have been made to release National Animal Identification (Nait) records back to birth for better tracing of animals infected with Mycoplasma bovis, but privacy rules mean immediate changes are not possible.

One hundred warning letters have been sent to farmers who continue to ignore the national animal tracking system. Meanwhile, official documents show what ex-minister Nathan Guy knew about the efficacy of NAIT – and when. David Williams reports.

Grant Hasse of Hasse Elk Farm in Hororata would rather not send his animals to the works.

The mid-Canterbury farmer is building a niche herd of elk and wapiti and while the venison schedule's good, velvet is currently the biggest income earner.

Venison marketers say they are getting good uptake from farmers for the supply contracts now on offer for the traditional chilled season, from August to November. Beyond that, they are looking for a spread of supply.

There are now 26 Advance Parties (APs) operating from north of Auckland to Southland. DINZ Passion2Profit manager Innes Moffatt says some of those set-up three or four years ago are changing direction and in most APs there is a greater focus on the environment.

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Electronic identification tags, scanning wands, weighing scales, farm business courses and drone use to check on animal welfare are all management tools used by Mt Somers deer farmers Duncan and Lorna Humm to improve, and add value, to their deer operation.

The young couple run a deer farm on a 43ha property, nestled near the foothills of the Southern Alps. Duncan isa fourth-generation farmer. The farm has been in his family since the mid-1960s, after his great grandparents moved from dairy farming near Kaikoura.

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The Humms are pretty tech­savvy, but if there were more opportunities to make gains in production and profitability, they want to know about them.

The Deer Industry Tech Expo in Ashburton on Friday aims to showcase tech options to farmers keen to take advantage of the opportunities that exist.

This year's red meat export season keeps on giving for farmers, with winter and early spring contract prices continuing to reach new highs. 

While export schedule prices typically peak in winter and early spring because of the limited numbers of animals available for slaughter, contract prices for lamb, mutton and venison are at least $1 a kilogram more than at the same time last year, with only beef returns under market pressure.   

06:01 Deer Industry New Zealand's Market Manager for Asia, Rhys Griffiths says while traditionally velvet has been used as an oriental medicine, now a quarter of velvet exports are used in health foods, mostly in South Korea.

The recently engaged Sam Cane joined Wheeler for a chat to The Country's Jamie Mackay and Sam "Lashes" Casey and about his rural roots.

Cane's parents have run a large deer farming operation in Reporoa since 1985 where they produce velvet and venison as well as deer velvet capsules.

Cane says both his parents grew up on dairy farms in Reporoa and suggests his father changed to deer farming as it suited his sleeping patterns better.