Deer Industry News - Deer Industry New Zealand

editorial
Deer a sound investment in turbulent times
The world is in the throes of systemic
adjustments that most of us have not
witnessed in our lifetimes. Tighter credit
markets, shrinking balance sheets and
slowing economic activity will affect
the markets in which we sell and the environment in which
we grow and process our products. Your Board commits
to maintaining prudent fiscal governance of DINZ while
continuing to invest in promotion and other industry-good
activities. Despite turbulent conditions, now is not the time
to slow or stop industry development.
With a new Government come new policies which affect the
deer industry. I’d like to briefly run through my perspective
on a number of them:
Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): DINZ welcomes a select
committee review of the ETS but is concerned that the scope
appears narrow. DINZ believes an intensity-based ETS rather
than cap-and-trade is pragmatic and less likely to reduce our
competitiveness. The pastoral sector must continue to work
collectively on this issue.
Resource Management Act (RMA): The RMA should not
be a means to tie up projects in process costs and red tape.
DINZ welcomes the Government’s commitment to introduce
a reform bill in its first 100 days of office.
Broadband: DINZ believes the Government has this wrong.
A roll-out of ultra-fast broadband to 75 percent of New
Zealand homes will include few rural homes, where the
Contents
Editorial: In turbulent times, deer farming is a sound investment .................3
DINZ news: Grand velvet photo competition ....................................................4
CWD surveillance: come on southerners – do your bit! ...........................6
NAIT show goes on ....................................................................................8
Ticking the right boxes – it matters ..........................................................9
NVSB Update ...........................................................................................10
Venison production shows healthy gross margins .................................12
General news: Landcorp would be hit hard by ETS .......................................15
Animal Health Board Update ..................................................................16
Time getting tight for Pest Management Strategy review ......................17
Johne’s information networks taking shape ...........................................18
Coming events and sire sales .................................................................18
Elk/Wapiti: Utilising mother nature for bigger gains .............................19
Industry news: New Zealand Velvet Marketing Company launched .............20
Tyrolean dried venison .............................................................................22
Venison Industry Strategic Intent ............................................................22
Powered by velvet.org.nz in world’s top 10 .............................................24
Wild Plaza ................................................................................................25
Latest Chef Ambassador to endorse Cervena® in United States .........31
Farmers’ markets in New Zealand ..........................................................32
Market Talk: BOGO F&D Ltd ....................................................................33
Market Report: Venison and velvet updates .................................................34
Stagline: NZDFA velvet and hard antler competitions review ........................38
Focus Farm and productivity group Conference 2008 ............................40
North Island Velvet Competition .............................................................41
Venison added to menu for local derby ..................................................42
Economist knocks ETS into shape ..........................................................44
Research: Collaboration points way to Johne’s-resilient bloodlines .............45
Learning how venison holds its water ....................................................46
NZDFA invited to invest in pastoral genomics programme ....................48
Scientist honoured for deer vaccine work ...............................................49
DEER Select Sire Summaries: 1 December 2008 ...................................50
need is actually greatest. Farming families are remote, but
are comfortable collaborating with each other to achieve a
better result. The internet, particularly Web 2.0, is all about
collaboration and removing distance. The $48 million for the
Broadband Challenge Fund is only 3 percent of the size of
the Government’s planned $1.5 billion investment in ultrafast
broadband. The Government does not appear to have a
specific goal for rural broadband access. One is required.
Research, Science and Technology: The Government
appears to have decided to discontinue the R&D tax credit
and the $700 million Fast Forward Fund. It will instead
invest more money in research consortia, more secure Crown
research institute (CRI) funding, have Prime Minister’s
prizes for science and create a role called Prime Minister’s
Science Adviser. DINZ supports more investment in consortia
for industry-researcher-Crown collaboration. There should
be circumstances where the Government invests more
than 50 percent where warranted. DINZ supports more
secure funding for CRIs to provide more career certainty
for scientists. However, there is a risk that CRIs will act in
isolation, or worse, on political whims. Industry involvement
is necessary to avoid wasted, ill-directed use of resources. We
do not want researchers to climb a ladder only to find it’s up
against the wrong wall.
The venison schedule is 60 percent higher than the 10-year
average for this time of year. Prices have increased faster
than for competing proteins, some of which are seeing price
softening. This is a real threat. It is more important than ever
for producers to stay connected to the market through close,
committed relationships with processor/marketers who in
turn have close, committed relationships with distributors in
touch with the final consumer. The industry needs to avoid
the trading of venison in the market and procurement-driven
rather than market-driven schedules.
Turning now to the financial performance of our industry,
there is always a lot of discussion about the most profitable
livestock farming option. At present, venison offers very
attractive returns in terms of cents per kilogram of dry matter
consumed. I am very pleased to see confidence returning
to the deer industry, and I’m sure financial institutions will
support developing and growing deer units, based on the
very compelling evidence provided in this issue of Deer
Industry News (pages 12-14).
I wish readers a happy and safe Christmas. I hope you have a
refreshing break and come back ready for a positive 2009.
John Scurr, Chairman
Deer Industry New Zealand
Deer Industry News is published by Deer Industry New Zealand six times a year in February, April,
June, August, October and December. It is circulated to all known deer farmers, processors, exporters
and others with an interest in the deer industry. The opinions expressed in Deer Industry News do not
necessarily reflect the views of Deer Industry New Zealand or the NZ Deer Farmers’ Association.
Circulation enquiries: Deer Industry New Zealand,
PO Box 10-702, Wellington, Ph 04 471 6114, Fax 04 472 5549, Email info@deernz.org
Editorial and advertising enquiries: Words & Pictures, PO Box 27-221, Wellington, Ph 04 384 4688,
Fax 04 384 4667, Email din@wordpict.co.nz
Cover: Katherine Sharp of Stag Genetics, Anakoha Bay, Picton, was the deserving winner of our Grand
Velvet Photo competition with this finely composed shot.
Issue No 33 • December 2008 3