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.

While the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis has had a greater impact on the dairy and beef industries than on the deer industry, it has meant a delay for Deer Industry New Zealand signing the Government Industry Agreement (GIA), chief executive Dan Coup says.

Consultation with the sector group began in October last year, and if it was supported, its application to be a signatory was to be made to the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) in December.

Peel Forest deer farmer Joshua Brook has won the Rabobank Farm Management Project Award for 2018.
The partner and manager of Rupert Red Deer is a graduate of last year's Rabobank farm managers' programme, which develops business management skills in young farmers from New Zealand and Australia.

Coming from a city upbringing hasn't stopped Angus Grant, 16, from beating other farm-based teens in a national farming competition. 

Together with Nick O'Connor, 15, the nephew of Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor, the pair, both year 11 pupils at St Bede's College in Christchurch, took top honours at the national finals of TeenAg, in Invercargill. 

An increased focus on production analysis is paying off for South Canterbury farmer Joshua Brook.

Mr Brook took home the prestigious Rabobank Farm Management Project award for 2018. 

A partner and manager of Rupert Red Deer, Mr Brook graduated the Rabobank Farm Managers Program (FMP) in 2017.

Deer farmers wanting fewer late-fawning hinds can now buy sires and hinds with breeding values (BVs) for earlier fawning.  

Sharon McIntyre, the manager of Deer Select, the national deer recording database, says proven sires on the database have BVs for fawning date ranging from 9.5 days earlier and 10 days later than average.

It was all deer at the Gore Town and Country Club recently.

The Deer Technology Expo was held, showcasing technology and information that could enhance the performance of deer farming operations.

Over the past six months 23 new velvet-based, healthy food products have been launched in Korea cementing positive long-term prospects for New Zealand deer velvet.

Deer Industry NZ Asia manager Rhys Griffiths and chief executive Dan Coup have returned from a 10-day market planning tour excited about the good noises coming out of Asian velvet markets.

Mid Canterbury will host its first deer industry technology expo at the Hotel Ashburton next month.
Deer farmers seeking smart farming solutions will be able to see, and test, the equipment and systems on site first hand.

The full-day event is being run in conjunction with the Canterbury and West Coast branch of the NZ Deer Farmers' Association.

Now in its third incarnation, DRL started life as Otago University’s deer research laboratory at a time when deer farming was establishing itself by capturing wild animals. 

Tuberculosis was widespread in the wild and Griffin says there were fears TB would prevent the industry from ever developing properly.

The 41 deer farmers at the Advance Party National Workshop held in Methven last week have returned home well-armed with ideas for changes they can make to improve profitability on their own farms.

Deer farmers wanting fewer late fawning hinds can now buy sires and hinds with breeding values (BVs) for earlier fawning.  Not every deer farmer is looking for hinds that cycle early, but nobody wants late fawns, says Deer Select manager Sharon McIntyre.

- Looking for an inside job? With the weather cold and wet, it’s a good time to make a start on your Farm Environment Plan (FEP).
- Increased levy to fund more services?
- DeerPro to come in-house?
- Simon Limmer joins DINZ board.
- Auckland students get a taste of deer farming.
- Have your say on the Zero Carbon Bill.
- Pāmu deer milk wins innovation award.

Long-term prospects for NZ velvet in the major Asian markets are looking positive says DINZ Asia manager Rhys Griffiths, following his return from a market planning and development visit to South Korea and China with chief executive Dan Coup.