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Deer
Deer Industry Background
History
Deer were introduced to Australia more than 100 years ago. The deer industry is now well established and primarily based on breeding temperate deer species (fallow 50%, red deer 40%, and elk) for the production of velvet antler, venison and venison co-products such as blood, sinew and tail. Velvet antler is the growing antler, and is humanely harvested annually at a specific stage during its development.
Production
Deer farming is concentrated in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania with some production from tropical species (rusa and chital deer) in Queensland and Western Australia.
The Australian on-farm deer population in 2002 was estimated at 200,000. With the onset of drought in 2002 the numbers fell to less than 100,000 by 2007. Due to the decline in numbers, the farm-gate value for venison in 2006/2007 fell from $ 2.47 million to $1.24 million.
With a total gross production value of approximately $2.3 million, venison and venison co-products account for 55% with the remaining 45% coming from velvet antler.
Over 80% of venison is exported, predominantly to the European Union and South-east Asia, with velvet exported to Korea, Hong Kong and China.
The Australian industry produces approximately 30 tonnes of velvet antler per year. This and other co-products of deer production are fundamental ingredients in oriental medicine, and are sought after in Asian markets.
These figures have been sourced from Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).
Further information on the farming of deer and deer products can be found at the Deer Industry Association of Australia.
Welfare codes and practices
Deer farming is regulated by states and territories under relevant animal health, environmental and animal welfare legislation and under the ‘Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: The Farming of Deer’ published by CSIRO. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) outlines the welfare standards and practices for the removal of antlers from farmed deer.
Deer Levies:
The deer industry has agreed to pay compulsory levies on slaughter, live exports and velvet for RIRDC deer industry research programs and for the National Residue Survey (NRS) service (meat only). The current rates are:
The Deer Slaughter Levy is 8.0 cents/kg hot dressed carcass weight.
The Deer Export Charge is $5 per animal.
The Deer Velvet Levy is 2% sale value.
The Deer Velvet Export Charge is 2% sale value.
Market Focussed Venison Supply Chain Alliances Project
In 2006 industry analysis showed that improved supply chain management would benefit the deer industry. The Australian Government agreed to provide funding of up to $350,000 to support the deer industry in developing practical strategies for its long-term future. The aim was to establish a series of supply chains and cooperative structures. Under this project, several alliances consisting of producers, processors and marketers were established to provide the industry with a clear direction for the domestic and export markets.
This project is due to be completed by the end of May 2008.