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Noticeboard & Events | Issue 186

Mar 2, 2023

Noticeboard

- Final call for Industry Positions: nominations close 31 March
- 2023 Awards and Competitions
- 2023/24 NZDFA Membership Invoices

- DINZ Update: Annual Report and new DINZ Board Observer
- Production Feature: Matin management of hinds
- Joke of the Month

Events

- 2023 Deer Industry Conference, Ashburton, 10 May 2023
- Mark your calendars: 2023 National Velvet & Trophy Competition and 2024 CK Import Export Rising Stars

Noticeboard

Final call for Industry Positions: nominations close 31 March

This is a busy year for NZDFA appointed positions as we have five positions becoming available by rotation (appointment by nomination and election, if necessary):

  • Two NZDFA Selection and Appointments Panel (SAP) members 
  • Three NZDFA Executive Committee members 

The following members are up for re-election or retirement:

  • Leith Chick (SAP, appointed 2022 for 12-month term) - not seeking re-election
  • Donald Whyte (SAP, appointed 2021)
  • Justin Stevens (EC, appointed, 2021) - seeking re-election
  • Mark McCoard (EC, appointed 2021)
  • Jamie Ward (EC, appointed 2022 for 12-month term)

The NZDFA needs leaders to maintain an effective voice for farmers at the industry level, pan-agricultural sector level and with regional and central government so we encourage you to think about any of these positions. 

There is also a position coming up for a producer appointed member on the DINZ board with the retirement of Kris Orange by rotation.

Nomination forms can be found on the website here: deernz.org/nzdfa/about/nzdfa-nomination-forms-and-constitutional-information

If you would like to indicate your interest, or talk to someone in confidence about these positions, please get in touch with NZDFA Returning Officer Lindsay Fung on lindsay.fung@deernz.org or 027 668 0141.

If you would like to discuss the positions with a current member to get an understanding of firsthand experience, please click here for contact details >>

AGM Remits

If there are any remits to be tabled at the upcoming AGM (10 May, Ashburton), these must be submitted by Tue 18 April to lindsay.fung@deernz.org

2023 Awards and Competitions

NZDFA Matuschka Award

The New Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association “Matuschka Award” recognises the grass roots farmer and unsung contributor to local area activities, functions and core spirit of deer farming.

Nominations should be made through the appropriate Branch or can be direct to the convenor. There is no set format or form to nominate someone. The nominations can be informal, from individuals or Branch nominations or industry groups, or have a nomination endorsed by the branch or other individuals and it’s not necessary to advise a candidate of the nomination. 

For more information, head to deernz.org/matuschka-award

Nominations must be submitted to the NZDFA via lindsay.fung@deernz.org no later than two weeks before the Annual Conference (e.g. Mon 24 April).

2023 Biennial Environmental Awards

DINZ environmental policy manager Sara Elmes is strongly encouraging deer farmers who are proud of the environmental work they have done on their farms to enter the 2023 Deer Industry Environmental Awards. Entries close at 4 pm on Friday 10 March.

“Deer farmers are known for taking pride in their animals and environment. This year, more than ever, your participation in the awards will demonstrate the industry’s ongoing commitment to sustainable farming and high-quality food production,” she says.

"Often farmers think they aren't ready - but the reality is that as long as you have a commitment to healthy, happy deer in a healthy, clean environment, you are ready."

The awards were conceived by Sir Peter and Fiona Lady Elworthy 20 years ago and are typically held every two years. Recipients have spanned the full range of deer farm systems – from high country stations to intensive finishing farms – and geographic spread, from Southland to Waikato.

Click here for application forms and competition information >>

Deer Industry Award

The Deer Industry Award is an annual award presented each year to the person, persons jointly, or organisation who, in the opinion of the judges, has made the most outstanding contribution to the New Zealand deer industry, either in the previous year, or over a period of years.

The selection panel is made up of three judges who are the nominees of the following organisations: Countrywide Magazine (NZ Farm Life Media), The NZ Deer Farmers' Association (Inc) and Porter Holdings Ltd.

A updated entry form for 2023 will be uploaded here when ready: deernz.org/deer-industry-award 

2023 MSD Allflex Deer Industry Photo Competition

Last year's competition saw some spectacular entries from all over New Zealand making the job of judging a very difficult one. Many of the images you would have seen featured in the industry's magazine, Deer Industry News and on deernz.org

There are some great prizes on offer, including;

  • $500 cash prize for the first-place winner
  • Category winner cash prizes
  • Premium gift pack for "People's choice" award
  • Framed photos of winning photographs

Entries open now! Competition closes 5pm, Wednesday 12 April 2023. Click here for more information >>

Please note that this competition is for amateur photographers only. Professional photographers, who derive income from photography, are not eligible to enter. Also please ensure that photos from phone cameras are of a high quality and can be viewed clearly on a large display screen.

 

2023/24 NZDFA Membership Invoices

The next subscription year starts on 1 April 2023 and membership invoices will be heading out later in the month/early April. 

This year we will be sending out invoices via email for all those we have email addresses for. You will still need to pay via bank transfer and a reminder that BNZ does not accept cheques.

If you are not currently a member and would like to be, please email cenwynn.philip@deernz.org to be added to the list. 

 

DINZ Update 

Annual Report

The 2021/22 Deer Industry Annual Report is now available online. The report highlights increases in export returns for velvet (25%) and venison (12%) in the 2021-2022 season alongside the Nature’s Superpower™ story and development of the new focus and direction for industry investment.

Check it out here >>

New DINZ Board Observer

Hamish Glendinning

Pāmu Foods’ head of commercial, Hamish Glendinning has been appointed as the 2023 DINZ Board observer. 

Part of Hamish's portfolio has been the award-winning Pāmu Deer Milk and he is hugely passionate about the deer industry. 

Read more in the February DINZ eNews here >>

 

 

Production Feature: Mating management of hinds

Management of hinds around mating is mostly about ensuring that they are in good body condition and are provided a low-stress environment.

BCS and conception in adult hinds

Body Condition Score (BCS) is a very useful tool for farmers to manage adult hind nutrition. BCS has been shown to be intimately tied into both the timing of conceptions and the actual conception rate. In fact studies have shown that late conceptions and barrenness often go together, especially when associated with difficult summer and autumn feed conditions.

Effects of weaning on conception

Lactation does not seem to exert a direct negative effect on conception date or on barrenness through ovulation failure. However, it can exert a major effect on BCS and, thus, indirectly influence reproductive success.

Reduce stress over mating

There is growing evidence that chronic (long-term, continued) stress on hinds over the mating period can delay conceptions by up to 10 days. 

Read more on this at deernz.org.nz/deer-hub/breeding/hinds/mating-management-of-hinds >>

Joke of the Month

A duck walks into a pub and orders a pint of beer and a ham sandwich.The barman looks at him and says,"Hang on! You're a duck.""I see your eyes are working," replies the duck."And you can talk!" exclaims the barman."I see your ears are working, too," says the duck. "Now if you don't mind, can I have my beer and my sandwich please?""Certainly, sorry about that," says the barman as he pulls the duck's pint. "It's just we don't get many ducks in this pub. What are you doing around this way?""I'm working on the building site across the road," explains the duck. "I'm a plasterer."The flabbergasted barman cannot believe the duck and wants to learn more, but takes the hint when the duck pulls out a newspaper from his bag and proceeds to read it.So, the duck reads his paper, drinks his beer, eats his sandwich, bids the barman good day and leaves.The same thing happens for two weeks.Then one day the circus comes to town.The ringmaster comes into the pub for a pint and the barman says to him, "You're with the circus, aren't you? Well, I know this duck that could be just brilliant in your circus. He talks, drinks beer, eats sandwiches, reads the newspaper and everything!""Sounds marvellous," says the ringmaster, handing over his business card. "Get him to give me a call."So the next day when the duck comes into the pub the barman says, "Hey Mr Duck, I reckon I can line you up with a top job, paying really good money.""I'm always looking for the next job," says the duck. "Where is it?""At the circus." says the barman."The circus?" repeats the duck."That's right." replies the barman."The circus?" the duck asks again. “With the big tent?""Yeah." the barman replies. "With all the animals who live in cages, and performers who live in caravans?" says the duck."Of course." the barman replies."And the tent has canvas sides and a big canvas roof with a hole in the middle?" persists the duck."That's right!" says the barman.The duck shakes his head in amazement, and says "What the feck would they want with a plasterer??!"

 

Events

2023 Deer Industry Conference

Please mark Wednesday 10 May in your calendars for a trip to Ashburton.

More details to follow and will be uploaded to deernz.org/home/events

The Branch Chairs will also meet on the Tuesday afternoon, 9 May.

The highlight of the conference will be the awards dinner on the Wednesday evening and will feature presentations to the winners of the Matuschka, Deer Industry, and Environmental Awards as well as announcing the winners of the MSD Photo Competition.

Mark your calendars

2023 41st National Velvet & Trophy Competition

The 2023 Awards Night has been confirmed for Friday 8th of December. Contact southlanddeerbranch@gmail.com for any enquiries.

2024 CK Import Export Rising Stars

Saturday 9th March 2024 in Te Awamutu Hosted by Waipa Branch NZDFA. Early entries will be accepted for the 2024 CK Import Export Rising Stars Competition up until 10th March 2023 for Hard Antler heads not cut before the 2023 Competition. Contact campbell.clarke@xtra.co.nz or 07 873 2785.

Return to summary DFA Stagline Issue 186 >>

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