Increased demand for venison

A slow but steady increase in the consumption of venison, coupled with growing uncertainty in the sheep sector with future exports up in the air post Brexit, is fuelling renewed interest in deer farming.
First pioneered in Scotland by the Hill Farming Research Organisation in 1968, deer farming developed globally from there on and particularly in New Zealand where there are now 2000 deer farms exporting more than 1000tonnes of venison to the UK.
However, with a growing amount of this venison now heading to China, and increased domestic demand for this particularly lean, red meat, there is huge potential to produce British venison, according to those in the know.
“Over the last 10 years there has been a huge increase in the demand for venison from consumers, but supplies have not kept pace with the demand,” said Mark Mitchell, of Bell Ingram, who was speaking at a deer farming demonstration day at Innerhadden, Pitlochry, last week.
“The UK is the third largest importer of venison from New Zealand, bringing in 1200 tonnes per year with other imports also coming in from Poland and Ireland, and demand from consumers is rising all the time,” he added pointing out that all major retailers now stock venison.
“The market is growing 10% per year so we need at least another 300-400 deer farms in the UK by 2020-2021, if we are to meet demand,” he said.
Adding to the problem is the fact that while farmed deer numbers in Scotland have increased from 6000 hinds in 2013, to nearer 7500 at present, this yields just 70tonnes of the 3500tonnes of venison produced each year, with the vast proportion coming from wild deer culls. 
Mr Mitchell also warned that supplies would be further curtailed in the next few years as there would not be the wild deer culls as populations have been hit hard following the long winter and poor, late spring.
Callum Thomson, chairman of the British Deer Farms and Parks Association, also highlighted the potential sustainable growth in deer farming.
“I have seen the highs and lows of deer farming. Initially, when deer farming took off the last time, female calves were worth £425 per head and within two years that figure fell to £50. The difference now is, there is a definite, growing demand for your product. There are markets and we have a Quality Assurance Scheme now,” he said.
However, while deer farming can be hugely rewarding, requiring fewer inputs and labour, the costs of establishing such an enterprise are huge, with the biggest financial hurdle being the fencing, which at 1.9m high at a cost of £10m per metre, soon mounts up.
A good handling system, crush, accompanied by a long, wide, winding race, again, all at 1.9m high are also key, with figures from Bell Ingram amounting to well over £50,000 based on a good handling unit at £10,000-£25,000; 2100m of ring fencing @£10/m, £21,000; handling gates at £15,000 and integral gates at £9000.
Start up costs can range from £450-£500 for a yearling hind with a reproductive lifespan of 12-14years and breeding stags at £1500-£2500. A good stag will cover 40 hinds.
Deer have a strong maternal instinct and seek privacy before calving. Therefore plenty of cover to include trees, rushes, is ideal as hinds hide their calves for the first 3-5days. Lactating hinds and finishing stock respond well in terms of growth rates to good quality pasture and will preferentially graze clover and herbs such as chickory or plantain.
In terms of stocking density, one hind is broadly equivalent to two cross-bred ewes.
On a more positive note, deer require minimal handling, and vet and medical assistance. 
“There are very few occasions when you need antibiotics for deer, but the other problem is there are no drugs authorised for use on deer, so you do have to bear that in mind when speaking to your vet,” said deer veteran , Dr John Fletcher, director of the Veterinary Advisory Service.
“The best way to find out about the health of your deer is to build up a good relationship with the abattoir to find out if there are any signs of lung worm, liver fluke, copper deficiency. Copper deficiency can be a problem on deer farms and can be treated with boluses, but you don’t want to overdose either,” added Dr Fletcher.
He also advised dosing young calves particularly at weaning, and to avoid pour owns and concentrate on drenches.
“Lungworm kills more young deer than anything else in the UK in enclosed pastures and affected deer don’t always cough, so it’s not always easy to know how bad the disease is in your herd. Treatment should be routine for young calves and onto clean pastures,” said Dr Fletcher.
The other major challenge with deer farming is removing the antlers from the stags on an annual basis to reduce the risk of damage to other deer and fencing. However, there is also a growing market for the velvet in China which is currently being exported at £16.50 per kg.
Typical farm costs, output and gross margins possible form a 200 hind breeding and finishing unit which has a target 87% weaning; 50kg weaned calves; 60kg stag carcase weight; 50kg hind carcase weight; 16 replacement hinds and three replacement stags retains and 50 hinds sold for breeding.