Deer farming in New Zealand

Authors: Giles TR
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 23, Issue 3, pp 39-40, Mar 1975
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Deer, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Animal industries, Animal production/wastage
Article class: General Article

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Abstract: Red deer, like other animals in New Zealand, were introduced by early settlers to provide some of the sport they knew at home, and the first imported deer - seven red deer yearlings - were brought from Scotland in 1871. It is believed the sponsors were the Otago Acclimatization Society. There were no predators except man and the deer flourished in the very favourable New Zealand environment. A few decades later big herds were causing concern to runholders in other words, the deer population explosion had begun. The commercialization of deer began in a small way in the late 1950s and by 1972 the value of exports exceeded $5 million. In 1973 exports amounted to approximately 1% of New Zealand`s export earnings. This growth may be likened to that of the forest industry in its early years, and with a similar and enlightened policy of management and development could well attain comparable importance in the future…

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