Newsletter, Clayton Station - Nov 2014

DEER INDUSTRY FOCUS FARMS PROJECT
SOUTH CANTERBURY/NORTH OTAGO
“MORE CALVES, HEAVIER, EARLIER & BETTER” = MORE PRODUCT = MORE PROFIT
“PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER”
TUESDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2014
FOCUS FARM FIELD DAY from 12.30pm
(for FM Speaker system in vehicles tune into 88.5FM)
HAMISH & ANNA ORBELL
4 Wheel Drives Please
BYO Lunch (tea & coffee provided)
12.30pm
1.00pm
3.00pm
3.15pm
4.00pm
4.45pm
Welcome & Introductions
Nicky Hyslop, Hamish & Anna Orbell
“Clayton KPI’s Trends”
Nicky Hyslop/Hamish Orbell
Property Tour
Stop 1: Self Feeding Silage Pit and Hind Management
Stop 2: Hind Breeding Program & Environmental Plans in Practice
Stop 3: Hill Stop: Matagouri Spraying & Hill Country Grain Feeding
Afternoon Tea at Woolshed
Afternoon Woolshed Discussion
Clayton: Breeding Replacements or Not
Nicky Hyslop, Hamish Orbell
Body Condition Score, Lactation & Drought
David Stevens, Ag Research
Landcorp
- Challenges on Farm, Environment/Production/Profitability
Luke Wright, Mngr
- Future Direction of Deer Farming in Landcorp Operations
Steve Penn, Business Mngr
Informal BBQ & Refreshments
Kindly supplied by, Rabobank, Farmlands Co-op and Mountain River Venison
In the spirit of the OCCUPATION, HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT the Owners have taken all reasonable care in making your visit to the property as
safe as possible, they clearly point out, you enter the property at your own risk. The Owners will accept no responsibility for any incident or injury to
any person or property that takes place while you are visiting the property.
Hamish & Anna Orbell & Nicky Hyslop
Thanks to our sponsors
1
Clayton Station
4102ha Total
4000ha Effective
2
3
Clayton Station – Deer Farm Paddocks & Wetland Fencing
4
1.0. KEY OBJECTIVES
Financial:
Deer:
Weaner Weights:
Velvet Production:
Fencing:
Infrastructure:
Development:
Personal:
Environment:
ENVIRONMENT
PERSONAL
FINANCIAL
CLAYTON:
Consistent Profitability, Self-contained Financial Deer Unit,
Build up off-farm investments while still maintaining Clayton assets.
Increase hind numbers by 300hd. More use of single sire mating to increase
genetic gain.
Move from 54kgLW to 58-60kgLW
Move from 4kg/hd to 6kg/hd MA Stags
Replace “Top-Up” fencing with netting – started.
Expand current deer shed or build another.
Improve summer feed quality on hill for hinds & weaners.
Improve quality of feed on front deer farm.
Achieve opportunity for farm succession
Manage sensitive areas
- Don’t overstock swamp area to allow for natural filtration.
- Develop wetland filter area at the bottom of the deer farm where the
majority of streams converge before leaving Clayton.
- Fence off significant drains or wet/pond areas from stock – started.
- Leave vulnerable hill country in native vegetation (gullies, ridges etc).
- Continue to use direct drilling to assist with soil management.
5
2.0. PROPERTY HISTORY& BACKGROUND –
• Orbell Family purchased Clayton in 1967, running approximately 7000su.
• Aggressive development program over the last 46 years now resulting in Clayton running
approximately 25,000su and more importantly significantly higher per head and per ha production.
• Most of Clayton lies between 1600ft (500metres) + 3500ft (1000metres)
• Snow can be a problem:
o
August 1973 - 1.8 metres
o
August 1992 - 2 falls of 1metre+ 1fall of 0.5 metre
o
June 2006 - 60cm for 8weeks, 10 falls for the year
• Rainfall 900mls (36 inches)
o
Northwest rain shadow---variable 500mls to 1200mls
o
Usually December Wet
• Great Working Environment
o
Summer Hot Dry, Northwest Rains
o
Winter Heavy Frosts, Clear Sunny Days.
3.0. PROPERTY DETAILS
3.1. Area
Deer Farm
222ha
740ha
962ha
Paddocks
Blocks
Non Deer
1540ha
1600ha
3140ha
TOTAL Effective
1762ha
2340ha
4102ha
Flats: Mayfield Stony Silts, Dobson Heavy Loam, Sherwood Silt
Hill:
Tengawai
3.2. Soils
3.3. Soil Fertility
Deer Farm
Flats
Hill
pH
5.2-6.3
5.4-6.2
5.4-5.8
Olsen P
28-70
17-36
11-20
Ca
4-10
6-13
8-11
Mg
13-51
22-46
16-40
K
16-20
5-10
8-15
S
7-33
4-11
4-26
3.4. Water Quality
Clayton has been monitoring water quality (Ecoli, Nitrogen, Phosphate & Sediment) coming into the
property, entering the deer farm and exiting the deer farm. Four tests show that nitrogen, phosphate were
relatively low all the way through the property with no influence from the deer farm. Ecoli levels increased
prior to entering the deer farm and then stayed static. Sediment slightly increased in the deer farm.
Further tests are now being done to further pin point where the rise in Ecoli levels are increasing. The
filtration area currently being developed at the bottom of the deer farm (where all the creeks converge
before leaving Clayton) should greatly assist with sediment as well as fencing off the majority of creeks in
the deer farm.
6
3.5. Subdivision & Development
1967
12 paddocks
5 blocks
No fertiliser history
1.5km
Basic Only
Paddocks
Blocks
Fertiliser
Shelter Belts
Roading
2011
158 paddocks
25 blocks
200 Tonnes/Year
41kms
100km roads / tracks
3.6. Staff
Manager
Shepherd
Shepherd
Casuals as required
Hamish Orbell
Stock manager
Mark Jorgenson
BJ Oliver
Maintenance Engineer Neville McCorkindale
Hayley Johnson
Tractor Driver
Pete Graham
(eg. Tailing gang, weed spraying, silage making).
Have started comprehensive H&S policy with assistance of Hazard Co.
4.0.
PRODUCTIVITY & FINANCIAL SUMMARY GRAPHS
*
* Beef and Lamb NZ Economic Survey Year Ending 2014
7
5.0.
STOCK NUMBERS, STOCK UNITS (Wintered) & PRODUCTIVITY
YEAR
1967
DEER
Hind Numbers
R2 Hinds
R1 Hinds
Velvet Stags
R2 Stags
R1 Stags
Sire Stags
1992
1996
2000
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014
Target
100
826
1000
220
200
1000
161
230
240
240
23
3972
15%
37026
24.4%
85%
1200
120
300
150
106
54
25
3273
16%
30388
26.0%
90%
1291
227
270
88
66
175
33
4203
22%
47895
23.3%
90%
1261
186
232
90
116
392
31
4641
20%
60095
27.9%
85%
1400
170
300
150
50
70
30
4482
20%
52125
26.5%
92%
14
2749
11%
26472
19.6%
75%
Deer SU
% of Total SU
Productivity kg product
Productivity kg/kgLW Wintered
Fawning %
200
2%
1582
14.5%
50%
6
2443
10%
17505
16.1%
58%
Weaning Wt
40
42
45
48
53
54
54
58
4900
1000
1000
960
1480
190
7420
64%
48802
16.8%
76%
20
11900
2200
1200
200
980
360
15068
60%
79191
11.1%
58%
22
12100
3000
9000
2000
500
8732
2706
9440
2577
9200
2400
600
300
860
500
15140
58%
143658
18.6%
100%
22
11000
3100
560
360
860
420
14552
55%
164340
22.0%
110%
24
240
11244
57%
234218
34.0%
125%
31
135
11024
57%
212404
31.2%
130%
30
93
11687
52%
243272
35.5%
132%
30
250
11800
54%
201816
28.5%
130%
31
350
540
600
723
253
432
143
484
102
382
137
470
105
100
125
36
120
12
303
120
270
124
21
150
300
170
300
20
300
150
23
4041
35%
44809
17.9%
80%
160
7750.5
31%
111565
21.9%
70%
160
8265
32%
89338
16.0%
92%
170
7893
30%
146251
26.1%
82%
190
126
32
121
18
76
90
5366
27%
106800
29.9%
85%
210
130
6
130
18
37
90
4203
22%
100020
28.9%
88%
215
201
63
177
17
105
90
6344
28%
111060
27.6%
88%
220
126
32
121
18
76
90
5691
26%
99830
28.3%
88%
220
SHEEP
MA Ewes
Ewe Hoggets
Trade Lambs Wintered
Ram/Wether Hoggets
MA Wethers
Rams/Killers
Sheep SU
% of Total SU
Productivity kg product
Productivity kg/kgLW Wintered
Lambing %
Weaning Wt
CATTLE
MA Cows
R2 Heifers In-Calf
R2 Heifers Dry
R1 Heifers
R2 Steers
R1 Steers
Sires
Dairy Bulls
Share Farm Cows
Cattle SU
% of Total SU
Productivity kg product
Productivity kg/kgLW Wintered
Fawning %
Weaning Wt
Total SU
139
11661
25262
26154
26416
19883
19430
22672
21973
95193
208261
259468
347617
371406
360319
414427
353771
Productivity kg/kgLW Wintered
17.3%
15.6%
17.7%
23.8%
30.6%
29.2%
31.8%
28.2%
Total Ha
SU/Ha
9153
1.3
8232
3.1
8162
3.2
8217
3.2
4017
4.9
4017
4.8
4017
5.6
4020
5.5
Productivity kg/ha
10
25
32
42
92
90
103
88
Total Productivity
8
6.0.
DEER POLICY & PERFORMANCE:
6.1. Deer Policy & Key Performance Indices
Historically 50% of Hinds to Maternal Sire (English Red ) and 50% to Terminal Sire.
Future Policy: 35% of Hinds to Maternal Sire, Balance to Terminal and purchasing a % of replacement
(preferably in-fawn) Red Hinds.
All except replacements for hinds and velveting stags, sold at weaning. (2013/14 % of weaners
retained and sold spring).
2012 purchased 75 in-fawn elite hinds from:
o Taupo
o Andrew Fishburn (Blenheim)
o Pampass Heights (Taupo)
2014 purchased 100 in-fawn Elite Hinds ex Foveran & ex Fishburn.
2014 purchased 100 in-fawn Terminal Hinds to make up numbers short term.
Will breed replacement hinds/stags from our “Elite” hind herd (35% of Total Hinds).
Focus – increase replacement hind weights to:
o Increase Fawning % (Genetics & Feeding)
o Increase Long Term Weaning Weights (Genetics & Feeding)
More, Heavier, Earlier will be the result of the above.
6.1.1. Key Performance
Scanning %
MA Hinds
R2 Hinds
Fawning %
MA Hinds
R2 Hinds
Weaner kgLW
10th March
Weaner LWG:
Autumn
2011
2012
2013
(30% hinds scan)
(30% hinds scan)
98%
92%
(100% hinds scan)
90% MA & R2
53kgLW
78-91% Wean
76% Wean
54kgLW
gms/day
194 (Red)
gms/day
150 (Red)
118 (Red)
~327 (Elite Stgs)
~186 (Term Stgs)
~111 (Red Hds)
56kgCW
70 (Red)
250
98%
95%
90%
87%
52kgLW
Winter
Spring
Av Venison
Carcass
54kgCW
9
85% MA
79% R2
Lower Scan due
to Snow
56kgCW
2014
DINZ
Target
97% MA
76% R2
90%
53kgLW
70 kgLW
gms/day
125 Red –
Sheep Tape
ID’d
90 (Red)
gms/day
300
100
400
+10%
6.2.
Deer Animal Health Program
-
6.3.
All fawns drenched 3-4wks pre-wean (Oral) with first yersinosis vac.
All fawns drenched at weaning (Oral) + 2nd yersinosis vac.
All replacement weaners 5in1 & multimin in May.
All replacement weaners 2nd 5in1 + injectable drench onto winter crop.
All replacement weaners injectable drench off crop in spring.
2015 weaning will Rumensin/Biostart drench all fawns at weaning following last year success
with trial mob.
All Hinds Copper Bullet pre-fawn – as a result of liver biopsy showing low Cu.
All Hinds multi-min + 5in1 pre-fawn and drench lighter hinds.
Johnes.
o Have blood tested in the past and culled positives.
o Have since managed with reduced deer stocking rate in farm & integration of other stock
classes – improved feeding!
o Less than 2 % shown up from DSP
2014 autopsy on sick fawn showed “sheep tape worm present” – effect on poor autumn
LWG’s??? 2015 will use oral sheep tape drench & monitor.
Self Feeding Silage Pit vs Winter Feed Crops
-
Clayton has innovated with shipping containers to form a minimum wastage self feed silage pit
for the breeding hinds during the winter (100 days). This enables management to get the hinds
off the hill and off the heavy wet “swamp” flats during the winter. This has worked really well
and Hamish would like to replicate the set up on “sunny” poor producing hill country adjacent to
the deer farm to continue to take pressure off the swamp flats and reduce the requirement for
growing winter feed crops in this area.
Yield
Stock Capacity
Cost
Other
-
Self Feed Silage Pit
12 x 1.8 x 12 m = 260m3
260m3 x 0.8 = 200T wet
200 T wet x 35% =
Silage 73,000kgDM
Rank Grass 28ha x 2000kgDM =
56,000kgDM
73,000kgDM
56,000kgDM
129,000kgDM / 100 days /2kg/hd
= 645hd breeding hinds
10c/kgDM in pit
Grass area above is very low
producing wasteland
with good shelter.
Opportunity cost in having silage
area shut up for 6 weeks.
Kale
Fodder Beet
10,000kgDM/ha
20,000kgDM/ha
645hd hinds x2kg x100day
129,000kgDM/10T = 13ha
$1000/ha = 10c/kgDM
Potential pugging damage
and opportunity cost in
having 13ha of heavy flats
out for 12 months + sacrifice
area when v wet.
645hd hinds x2kg x100day
129,000kgDM/20T = 6.5ha
$2200/ha = 11c/kdDM
Potential pugging damage
and opportunity cost in having
6.5ha of heavy flats out for 12
months + sacrifice area when
v wet. Could lift F Beet
(5c/kgDM) to reduce pugging.
The figures above are very relevant for Clayton given that their limited amount of flats are very
heavy and wet over winter. For other properties, Fodder Beet may work incredibly well with a
reduced area out (cf to other forage crops) due to high yield.
For silage fed back out via a wagon etc an additional 8-10c/kgDM needs to be accounted for.
Self feeding large numbers of breeding hinds for an extended period can result in a “tail” (up to
10%) end of hinds which may require being drafted off and removed.
10
6.3.
Grain Feeding Hinds
-
Why Do It??
For Clayton this is a feed quality issue on the hill in Jan/Feb. They have limited room to bring all
the hinds down on the flats pre-weaning (2014 some red hinds were brought down). Increased
fertility and oversowing will over time assist with this issue.
Feeding grain historically has not been practical. The Advantage Feeders allow a relatively
large quantity of grain to be offered to hinds but restricts daily per head allowance. Could also
introduce trace elements if figures support.
Tagging (prior to
Grain)
Hinds
Fawns
MA Hinds No
Grain
110kgLW 45kgLW
MA Hinds
Grain
104kgLW 43kgLW
-
Weaning
Hind
LW
95kg
(15kg)
102kg
(1.2kg)
Hind
CS
3.0
Fawns
Stag
Removed
Hinds LW
Scanning
Hind LW
CS
51kgLW
110kg
95% 105kgLW
3.5
3.5
52kgLW
103.2kg
97% 105kgLW
4.0
+2 weeks
early
conception
%
Two mobs hinds on front country on similar feed, hill aspect etc.
One mob hinds fed approx. 250gms/day/unit (hind+fawn) for 30days Feb = 7.5kg grain
Hinds did take some time to eat grain.
No noticeable difference in grazing habit with grain.
Economics to Date:
MA Hinds No
Grain
MA Hinds Grain
Difference
Early Conception
TOTAL
NET GAIN
-
Income: Weaner LW
51kgLW
Cost
52kgLW
+1kgLW @ $3.5/kgLW = $3.0/hd
+2 wks @ 400gms/day = 5kgLW @ $3.5/kgLW =
$17.5/hd
7.5kg grain @ $400/T = $3.0/hd
Advantage Feeder 25% of use
for $3200/10yrs/100 hinds x
$0.8/hd
$20/fawn @ 90% = $18/hd
$3.8/hd
~$14.2/hd
+ Lifetime performance of replacement weaners heavier?
Clayton will continue to monitor actual gains from hinds fed grain last year and will repeat trial
this year.
11
6.4.
Replacement Hind Policy
-
Historically Clayton has retained red weaner replacements from own hinds.
This policy restricts the number of hinds to go to a Terminal Sire which limits the number of
hybrid weaners that the market is prepared to pay a premium for and limits the hybrid vigour
influence on weaner LW.
The simple approach could be to put all the hinds to a Terminal and purchase 100%
replacement numbers as R2 Hinds (could be in-fawn). The risks identified with this:
o Reliable source of replacements that shift well onto Clayton.
o Exposure to disease (TB/Johnes etc).
Base Fawning %
Replacements Hinds:
Bred
Purchased
Red Wnr kgLW
Term Wnr kgLW
Red $/kg
Term $/kg
$ Gained:
Increase in Fawning %
Increase in Weaner Wt
Increase in $/kgLW
Wnrs
$ Cost:
R2 Hind purchased
Less More Wnrs Sold
Less Feed Reqd Wnrs
$ Gross Margin
1400 hinds
Other:
Incr Wnrs Weights
Feed Supply/Demand
Animal Health
50% Hinds to
Terminal
88%
+25% Hinds to Terminal
(75%)
92%
+50% Hinds to Terminal
(100%)
92%
25% wnrs kept
15% wnrs kept
10% as R2 Hinds
52kgLW
57kgLW
$3.5/kgLW
$4.0/kgLW
20%
52kgLW
57kgLW
$3.5/kgLW
$4.0/kgLW
5% on all hinds (long term)
5kgLW on Terminals x 25%
$0.5/kg on Terminals x 25%
$21/br hind / yr
5% on all hinds
5kgLW on Terminals x 50%
$0.5/kg on Terminals x 50%
$32/br hind / yr
$450/R2 Purchased
$182/Wnr Sold (52kg x
$3.5/kg)
$ 73/Wnr (2kg x 365days x
10c)
$195/hd x 10% purchased
$19.5/br hind / yr
$1.5/br hind / yr
$2,100
$450/R2 Purchased
$182/Wnr Sold (52kg x
$3/kg)
$ 73/Wnr (2kg x 365days x
10c)
$195/hd x 20% purchased
$39/br hind / yr
($7/br hind / yr)
($9,800)
More reliable market for our
wnrs year in year out.
More focus on smaller no of
red wnr replacements –
Medium Term
Lower % of young deer
Less Wnr Costs
More exposure to TB/Johnes
Challenge in sourcing
replacements.
No Wnrs retained
Short Term Incr on All Incl
Above
52kgLW
57kgLW
$3.5/kgLW
$4.0/kgLW
Slowly over Time
12
Best fit as no % young deer
No Wnr Costs
Highest exposure to
TB/Johnes
Big challenge in sourcing
replacements.
7.0.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Actual
$
1999/2000
$/su
$/kg
GROSS FARM INCOME
Sheep Sales-Purchases
$698,496
Sheep Changes in Stock on Hand
$0
Net Sheep Income
$698,496
Cattle Sales-Purchases
$489,335
Cattle Changes in Stock on Hand
$0
Net Cattle Income
$489,335
Deer Sales-Purchases/Adj SOH
$218,433
Velvet
$40,000
Net Deer Income
$258,433
Cropping Income
$41,314
Other Income
$42,542
GROSS FARM INCOME
$1,530,120
FARM WORKING EXPENSES
Wages & Keep
$200,762
Animal Health
$52,832
Fertiliser & Lime
$140,005
Shearing Expenses
$58,208
Feed & Grazing
$52,832
Farm Working:
- Pasture & Greenfeed
$31,699
-Crop Expenses
$32,492
- Weed & Pests
$29,058
- Electricity
$13,208
- Freight
$13,208
- General
$52,832
Vehicles
$134,722
Repairs & Maintenance
$29,058
Administration
$30,378
Rates & Insurance
$27,737
TOTAL FARM WORKING
$899,029
% OF TOTAL
59%
E.B.I.T.
$631,090
Wages of Management
$60,000
FARM SURPLUS
$571,090
FARM SURPLUS PER HA
$70 /ha
$48.0
$0.0
$48.0
$62.0
$0.0
$62.0
$55.0
$10.1
$65.1
Actual
$
$57.9
$4.4
$1,159,309
$0
$1,159,309
$359,800
$0
$359,800
$246,765
$50,834
$297,599
$96,945
$13,479
$1,927,132
$7.6
$2.0
$5.3
$4.0
$2.0
$0.6
$0.2
$0.4
$0.2
$0.2
$186,291
$91,400
$152,367
$50,150
$61,500
$1.2
$1.2
$1.1
$0.5
$0.5
$2.0
$5.1
$1.1
$1.2
$1.1
$34.0
$0.0
$23.9
$2.3
$21.6
$4.3
$3.3
$5.9
$7.0
2011/12
$/su
$/kg
Actual
$
$103.1
$0.0
$103.1
$67.1
$4.9
$3.4
$67.1
$75.4
$15.5
$90.9
$3.4
$8.1
$77.4
$9.8
$96.9
$9.4
$4.6
$7.7
$4.5
$3.1
$0.1
$44,907
$0.1
$47,549
$0.1
$39,624
$0.0
$22,454
$0.0
$23,774
$0.2
$46,228
$0.4
$94,589
$0.1 $114,624
$0.1
$28,395
$0.1
$54,050
$2.6 $1,057,902
$0.0
55%
$1.8 $869,229
$0.2
$80,000
$1.6 $789,229
$196 /ha
$1.7
$1.8
$1.5
$0.9
$0.9
$1.8
$4.8
$5.8
$1.4
$2.7
$53.2
2012/13
$/su
$/kg
$88.7
$0.0
$88.7
$75.0
$4.6
$3.5
$75.0
$78.2
$14.5
$92.7
$3.5
$6.9
$99.7
$8.1
$5.2
$978,102
$0
$978,102
$349,220
$0
$349,220
$328,824
$60,834
$389,658
$210,475
$54,235
$1,981,690
$99.7
$0.5
$0.2
$0.4
$0.1
$0.2
$175,159
$87,707
$130,885
$90,845
$81,172
$8.8
$4.4
$6.6
$8.2
$4.1
$0.1
$93,118
$1.7
$0.1
$64,511
$1.8
$0.1
$32,468
$1.5
$0.1
$19,040
$0.9
$0.1
$14,673
$0.9
$0.1
$6,639
$1.8
$0.3
$98,247
$4.9
$0.3 $102,841
$5.2
$0.1
$42,587
$2.1
$0.1
$54,196
$2.7
$2.8 $1,094,088
$55.0
55%
$2.3 $887,601
$44.6
$0.2
$80,000
$4.0
$2.1 $807,601
$40.6
$201 /ha
$43.7
$4.0
$39.7
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Actual
$
2013/14
$/su
$/kg
$85.8
$5.5
$1,003,211
$13,846
$1,017,057
$367,230
$31,743
$398,973
$296,304
$84,650
$380,954
$205,573
$102,881
$2,105,438
$0.5
$0.2
$0.4
$0.3
$0.2
$193,526
$104,704
$207,851
$88,872
$61,944
$0.3 $112,127
$0.2
$82,476
$0.1
$12,860
$0.1
$15,948
$0.0
$17,998
$0.0
$21,104
$0.3 $132,796
$0.3 $104,591
$0.1
$34,639
$0.2
$55,417
$3.0 $1,246,853
59%
$2.5 $858,584
$0.2
$80,000
$2.2 $778,584
$194 /ha
$87.0
$57.9
SI Hill Country
2013-14
$/su
22.33
70.69
$4.2
93.02
$3.3
$62.9
$63.8
$18.2
$82.1
$3.6
$5.0
$112.0
$6.3
46.76
94.45
$92.9
$5.1
86.98
$11.0
$5.0
$10.0
$5.5
$3.5
$0.5
$0.3
$0.5
$0.2
$0.1
5.77
5.20
7.55
4.13
2.85
$1.9
$2.0
$1.6
$0.9
$1.0
$2.1
$5.0
$6.0
$1.8
$3.0
$55.0
$0.3
$0.2
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.1
$0.3
$0.3
$0.1
$0.1
$3.0
$37.9
$3.5
$34.3
$2.1
$0.2
$1.9
3.17
0.03
3.22
0.74
1.06
0.54
5.06
6.14
2.76
4.32
52.54
55.6%
34.44
0.92
33.52
$138/ha
8. Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats – as identified at the field day Feb 2012
STRENGTHS
OPPORTUNITIES
- Ability to utilize surplus in good growing season – cattle grazing!
- Moderate rainfall
- Chance of more deer – have increased nos but reluctant for more.
- Good balance of flats/hill
- Bring in more sunny country to winter hinds – discuss at field day.
- Good infrastructure
- Feeding and breeding to increase weaner weights – slightly only.
- Good natural cover (tussocks etc)
- Flexible stock class to utilize surplus – cattle grazing & cows.
- Scale & scope of farm
- Family & Staff
- To have feed pads for cattle as well as deer.
- Cash crop vs summer brassica - No cash crop in deer farm.
- Link with Downlands (in line farming)
- Fatten own weaners – done reluctantly 2014. $182/hd av or
- Stock integration
28c/kgDM but KIND SEASON. TOUGH SEASON WINTER COSTS
- Youthfulness of management and staff.
MUCH HIGHER THAN 28C/KGDM.
- Location to local services.
- Specialist late summer feed for hinds following marking – Grain!
- Long history of the property
- Irrigation – No – may revisit.
- Mix of livestock
- Marketing program with Downlands deer
- Keeping fawns closer on specialist feed pre-weaning to lift weaning
weight – Grain and moved some hinds into front country.
- EID to concentrate on identification of good genetics – work in
progress.
- Introduction of different classes of stock – doing.
- Diversification of different stock enterprises – doing.
- Different income streams (seasonal timing) - doing.
- Subdivision opportunities on hill subject to water – not justified. KISS
- Improve Genetics – doing.
- Significant Environmental Development Program started.
WEAKNESSES
THREATS
- Swings in venison/lamb/beef schedule – felt in 2013/14 with lamb.
- Long cold winter & snow prone.
- Snow – still an issue.
- High altitude and short growing season.
- Any disease risk (TB/Johnes). - Being monitored.
- Intensive mustering of hinds pre-weaning limiting weaner growth.
- Removing natural hill vegetation with overstocking – more scope in
- Location due to cost of cartage etc.
deer farm – lower deer density.
- Summer dry
- Stock integration could cause disease transfer – Sheep Tape Worm?.
- Isolation and location
- Distance around property- more laneways in deer farm
- Poor winter crop yields, crop failure & pugging damage post crop – self
feed silage pit/reserves.
- Fuel costs associated with large amounts of winter feed – more
efficient Ag Technology – see Hamish.
- Weeds (broom/ragwort) - sprayed Matagouri 2012
- Fire in good growing season! – not considered a real threat.
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The DINZ Focus Farms are funded by Deer Industry New Zealand, New Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association,
AgResearch and Deer Research.
The Focus Farm would also like to thank the following contributors to this field day.
Speakers:
- David Stevens
AgResearch
- Luke Wright
Stuart Farm Manager, Landcorp
- Steve Penn
Business Manager, Landcorp
Sponsors:
- South Canterbury/North Otago Deer Farmers Association
- Farmlands / CRT
- Mountain River Venison
- Rabobank
Focus Farm Committee Members:
First Name Last Name Email
Ph Number Position
Nicky
Hyslop
[email protected]
0274 744 149 Facilitator
Ross
Stevens
[email protected] 03 696 3746 Chairman
Andrew
Fraser
[email protected]
03 689 5562 Farmer Member
David
Morgan
[email protected]
03 614 7181 Farmer Member
Hayden
Roberts
[email protected]
03 697 4849 Farmer Member
Murray
Coutts
[email protected]
03 686 2982 Farmer Member
Paul
Sargent
[email protected]
03 303 9082 Farmer Member
Tony
Pearse
[email protected]
021 719 038 DINZ Member
Kris
Orange
[email protected]
03 693 8013 Farmer Member / Focus Farmer
Hamish
Orbell
[email protected]
03 685 4880 Focus Farmer
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