Aligning science and strategy | Meet and Greet: Mike Ferrier | Long-term benefits anticipated | Nature's Superpower - what’s the story? | DINZ Board review: looking back and looking forward | The Legacy and Legend of Tim Wallis | Rego woes with MyOSPRI and NAIT tags | Optimism for Korean velvet market | Opportunities being sought for venison | Strong demand in Europe for New Zealand venison | New stress-less deer shed | Infectious lameness in deer | Tomorrow’s Deer progeny: adaptability to stressors

China has signalled changes to its rules for imported velvet used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), meaning upcoming changes in New Zealand frozen velvet exports. Read on for further information.

Silver Fern Farms held major customers conference at Anuga | Six Chinese chefs heading to ‘The Ends of the Earth’ | Deer industry very low user of antibiotics, study shows | Deer farmers to gather at environment award-winning Glen Dene | Velvetters: register in VelTrak and select your current vet clinic | Sports star joins PGG Wrightson’s deer team | Sir Tim Wallis farewelled in style in Wanaka | New DINZ board observer sought for 2024

The new centre-right coalition, led by the National Party, means a probable slowdown in the pace of change for farmers, but not a reverse in the direction of travel, writes Deer Industry NZ (DINZ) chief executive Innes Moffat. DINZ wish list is for policy allowing deer farmers to thrive, celebrating good land stewardship and not condemning all to “death by a thousand consents.”

The first two health functional food claims, with extracts using New Zealand velvet, have now been approved by Korea’s food safety authorities, aimed at improving prostate function and anti-fatigue. It is also the start of an exciting new era for New Zealand velvet in its top market.

Demand for chilled New Zealand venison in Europe continues to be strong, marketers are reporting, supporting venison contract prices up to $10.50 per kg. Slow growth has limited supplies this Spring, meaning some customers have missed out on volumes.