Deer Industry News #36 June 2009 - Deer Industry New Zealand

July technical conference draws top expertise“The conference offers a very strong focus on directlyimproving productivity through communicating practicalinformation, and also will discuss topical issues like NAITand the review of Pest Management Strategies. For the firsttime, this conference which previously has been aimedat vets, has taken the initiative of getting all stakeholderstogether.”He says that previously, deer research groups held their ownindependent fora but this year the Deer Branch of the NewZealand Veterinary Association has drawn them all together.“As a result, over just three days, in one place, the conferencewill span a full range of industry issues and feature some 40expert speakers.”Wider industry issues covered will include technicalreview, focus farms, productivity strategy, emissionstrading, NAIT and traceability. At a more detailed levelgeneral newsIf you’re in the deer business and are serious about getting to grips with the latest developments in animal health, don’tmiss the Deer Industry Technical Conference in Christchurch on 13–15 July. That’s the message from conference organiser,Professor Peter Wilson of Massey University. The conference is to be hosted by the Deer Branch of the New ZealandVeterinary Association in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders.there will be sessions on velvet antler research and issues,leptospirosis, Johne’s disease, tuberculosis, venison supplysystems and genetics and genomics. Of special interestwill be presentations on genetic improvement from DeerImprovement and AgResearch.Professor Wilson cites recent progress with leptospirosiscontrol as an example of real benefits that will becommunicated through the conference. “Improvements ofup to 6.4 kg average bodyweight are possible at 12 months.With some herds that’s a return on investment of more thana thousand percent. We want to get messages like that outto farmers as well as vets so they can make informed bestchoices.”For conference registration contact:■■Professor PR Wilson, IVABS, Massey University,Palmerston North, phone 06 356 9099 ext 7619,fax 06 350 5636, email P.R.Wilson@massey.ac.nzRev-up for North Island Velvet CompetitionNorth Island Velvet Competition organisers are hoping that improving velvet prices will boost entries to this year’s eventin Palmerston North.Although it’s not until late November, Wilton Turner, newchairman of the Competition’s organising committee, iswanting to spark renewed interest in the event. It is followedby the national competition a month later.“Competition over the last few years has reflected the‘sluggish’ velvet market, but with demand for velvet likely toboost prices, farmers already seem to be more enthusiasticabout participating locally,” he said.The committee’s hoping for at least 80 entries this year.Turner has judged in the national competition, and is hopingto incorporate some of the features of that into the NorthIsland event. The committee already has plans in the pipelineto promote the competition more, and also to enhance thefunction that follows, including more entertainment andsome sponsorship.Turner’s been involved in competing and in judgingcompetitions for many years, and sees strong benefits fromgetting involved, and for showcasing the best velvet.“The advantage for stud breeders is showing off theiranimals’ capability, but it’s equally good for commercial deerfarmers to benchmark their efforts with others – looking atwhat the winning velvet has in terms of feeding and geneticsfor example and comparing that to what you’re doing. And ofcourse the prize money is also an incentive.”The biggest for drawcard Turner, though, is the socialnetworking that bringing fellow deer farmers togetherprovides. “It’s a great way of sparking people’s enthusiasm aswell as sharing knowledge.”The awards dinner will be held at the Coachman Hotel inPalmerston North on November 28, with the competitionvelvet displayed at Manawatu Cold Storage, Feilding.Hind SalesDo yourresearch@Email: tradedeer@xtra.co.nzWebsite: www.tradedeer.co.nzIssue No 36 • June 2009 33