Winter feeding objectives and management in deer
Manawatu deer farmers are well prepared for this winter. Good pasture covers, both in terms of quality and quantity, have given farmers options with respect to weaning, and grazing and feed management. This bodes well for a productive season.
Venison production
The objective is to achieve a maximum carcass weight (50kg) by 12 months of age.
Red stags should achieve a 60kg liveweight by their first winter (hinds 52kg), and by 12 months, 100kg liveweight. Pasture should be of high quantity and quality throughout the year to achieve these targets. Any check in growth will affect the ultimate bodyweight.
To achieve maximum growth of young stock during winter, pasture covers need to be maintained above 1600kg DM/ha. This will often only be achieved by a rotational grazing system. Adult deer should be grazed on a long rotation i.e. held back and fed supplements such as hay or baleage, whilst the weaners should be fed on a fast rotation and always preferentially fed.
Hinds
Post-mating, hinds need to have their bodyweight maintained during the winter unless they are in poor condition. Lighter-conditioned hinds should be pulled out for priority feeding. Hinds going into their second winter need to be fed at residuals of not less than 1200kg DM/ha.
Alternatively, if hinds are in very good condition in early winter, they can afford to drop a few kilogrammes before the spring feed comes away, and be fed a maintenance ration only (residuals of 600kg DM/ha) to reduce the likelihood of a feed deficit.
As spring approaches, bodyweight can increase again with increasing pasture availability. Over-fatness must again be avoided leading up to calving. To prevent over-fatness, continue to graze down to a low residual DM well into October, only allowing an increase in feed intake during the last part of October and into November prior to calving.
Velveting stags
Peak requirements are immediately after the rut and during antler growth. Post-rut nutrition influences future velvet weight. Likewise, if stags are not fed well during antler growth, then maximum velvet weights will not be achieved.
During the spring when stags are casting their hard antler buttons, they should be examined weekly and sub-divided into future velveting mobs; remember it takes 60 days from the time the button drops until harvesting and for management reasons, it is desirable to separate them early. If large mobs of stags are left together and sorted out only at the time of velveting, there is considerable risk of damage to the velvet.
For more information on winter feeding objectives and management in deer, please contact the Feilding branch of Totally Vets.
