Cuts, calving, checking stags and TSE
The ideal time to harvest velvet is when there is a balance between weight, length and the degree of calcification.
The more calcified a stick is, the more it is downgraded. The ideal antler for harvesting which balances maximum weight for the highest quality antler is when the top length equals the antler's main beam circumference. Generally this takes about 60 days from button drop to grow to this stage. Some heads will not grow in a symmetrical fashion with one side ready for harvesting before the other. It is best to cut both antlers at the time the first one is ready because the better quality offsets the lower harvest weight.
When transporting spikers for slaughter, they must not have velvet or hard antler spikes exceeding 110mm measured from the centre of the skull. Deer must not be transported with bleeding antler stubs, or within 7 days post-velvetting.
When sire stags are being develvetted it is a great opportunity to check teeth, feet and testicles for abnormalities. TB testing can also be scheduled at the same time.
If ticks are an ongoing problem around calving/fawning, hinds should be drenched regularly with Bayticol from August to minimise the numbers of adult ticks around at fawning. High and low-risk paddocks for ticks need to be identified early on and the pasture cover should be adequate for set-stocking hinds. Fawning paddocks benefit if there are some areas of basic cover for fawns to hide, but be aware these areas may harbour the most ticks.
A hind should be assisted with fawning only if one or both front legs are showing or hinds have been seen to strain for more than an hour. They should be brought in as quietly as possible into the shed where it is dry and sheltered. Clean your hands thoroughly, use plenty of lubrication and be gentle. Head and leg backs need to have the fawn pushed back so you can rotate the head or leg. Breach births are common and if you are not making progress in ten minutes, call Totally Vets.
Transmissible spongiform encephalitis (TSE) surveillance scheme
Deer older than two years of age showing progressive, non-responsive neurological disease or ill-thrift, or signs of acute or peracute pneumonia, or aspiration pneumonia (at post-mortem) meet the criteria for inclusion in this scheme. It is not acceptable to submit heads from hinds that are being culled just because they are empty. While there are a large number of heads required for monitoring, integrity with respect to the submission of cases is important to maintain the international validity of the scheme. Farmers get $100 incentive per head but are limited to two heads submitted per farm per year.
