Jun 17, 2025
Winter officially starts in June and certainly arrived in force following King’s Birthday weekend, no doubt setting the winter-feeding programmes into action for many. For a number of regions that also marked the arrival of porina grubs which can wreak havoc on feed levels if left unchecked. The chopper arrived here on Saturday and given the air traffic locally it appears to be a real issue in Taihape this year.
This year’s well attended conference in Queenstown marked the milestone of 50 years of the NZDFA. A trip across Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw for dinner at Walter Peak Station the night before conference certainly set a historical tone for the event. The NZDFA AGM, full conference programme, awards dinner and field day at the iconic Fairlight Station ensured there was not a dull moment over the two days. Additionally, we had a Branch Chairs meeting the afternoon prior to conference commencement to ensure that we are keeping abreast of the issues affecting farmers throughout our national network. It was great to hear from and acknowledge those who have given so much to our farmer led and run organisation, which has been a constant pillar of our industry since the fledgling days of deer farming.
Following the disappointment of the last velvet season, DINZ have floated the concept at conference for the creation of an export licencing system for velvet buyers. The intention is to ensure buyers within our shores adhere to business practices that support the long-term stability and success of the velvet industry, while balancing the benefit competition brings. A working group has been created with a balance of farmer, industry and buyer representation to explore and create a potential structure to achieve this. I will be attending the inaugural meeting this week as your elected farmer representative and will be advocating for farmers interests during this process. Please keep in touch with your local branch chairs or the executive committee directly to keep connected to the progress of the work undertaken.
Many of you may have seen Sunday’s episode of Country Calendar, or the episode that ran a few weeks earlier, with both featuring short clips of velvetting. While it’s great for deer farming to have national coverage on such a flagship rural programme, we always have to be aware that the general public is mostly un-informed around velvetting or the stringent regulatory framework around the practice. As with any farming sector, maintaining a positive public perception is very important for our industry and farmers play a key part in this.
Greenhouse gas policies are still being discussed and considered by government. While the messaging from this government is far more positive for farming, we still need to be vigilant for potential impacts ahead. The Pastoral Sector Leaders Group has been formed to represent the wider livestock sector in these discussions, with the deer industry being represented by DINZ Chair, Paddy Boyd. The NZDFA Executive Committee have consulted with the branches and their committees to seek support for the bottom lines that Beef + Lamb NZ announced recently. This approach was undertaken so there is unity across the drystock sector, and the farmers’ position is clearly understood by our representatives and government in this process. This was overwhelmingly supported, and we have formally informed both the DINZ board and office of the NZDFA position. The details are included in this edition of DFA Stagline.
This year’s Next Generation event is to be hosted by the Marlborough branch of the NZDFA on 31 July and 1 August. A full programme has been created to showcase the area and deer farming and registrations are now open. Continuing to connect and expose new or young people to the deer industry is key for the future, so please encourage anyone who may be interested to attend.
Thank you Justin Stevens
Welcome Tom MacFarlane
Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to thank Justin Stevens for his eight years of service on the Executive Committee and wish him well for what endeavours he has planned ahead. I’d also like to welcome Tom McFarlane to the team as we continue to advocate for deer farmers in ever changing world we live in.
Mark McCoard
NZDFA Chair
