Nomination Results for Ithe 2025 Industry Leadership Positions | Issue 209

Corey Busch - Hororata

My wife Ginny, our son Hugh, and I run a breeding and finishing system on our farm. In addition to deer farming, we also operate a submersible water pump business across New Zealand and Australia.

Over the past 50 years, farmers have lost control as corporate players have taken a more prominent role. While this presents challenges, it's important for stakeholders to collaborate, driving better returns and increasing investment in the industry's future.

Vote for me to help restore balance and build a more sustainable and profitable future for our farming community.

Barry Cuttance - Producer and deer velvet marketer

We are going backwards!

Most New Zealand deer farmers are finding they have less disposable income with each passing year. For several decades, the NZDFA have been working hard for deer farming in New Zealand to become a poor farming option and the good news, they have succeeded.

1999 – 4500 deer farmers – 2025 less than 1500. An average of 2.5 deer farmers leaving weekly for 25 years.

Over the decades of industry decline, thousands of levy payers dollars have been spent and all the past and present NZDFA Executive have delivered is an industry on the brink of collapse.

We, the levy payers, need to bring this situation under control, improve margins and undertake structural changes.

A vote for Cuttance will be a vote in the right direction!

Thank you

Grant Hasse

I have worked within multiple facets of the deer industry since the mid-1990’s, an employee, an owner, and a share farmer of deer.

I have been the President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Elk Wapiti Society NZ, roles that have been challenging and rewarding. Focusing on industry involvement and achieving results, we have worked with both DINZ and NZDFA to bring the industry hybrid growth curves, elk wapiti fact sheets, zoom discussions and co-hosting Next Generation event. I have also been the interim Chair of the CWC branch of the NZDFA.

My previous employment includes financial, credit, casino management and 20 years employment as an artificial breeding technician and trainer.

I enjoy challenging the status quo, providing solutions, alternative views to consider and have built a results-based reputation.

I am standing for the Executive Committee, where farmers can utilise my skills and know that I will advocate on their behalf.

Mark McCoard

I have had the privilege of serving on the NZDFA Executive Committee for the past six years, the past twelve months as Chair. During that period, deer farmers and the wider industry have had to contend with internal, domestic and international challenges. I firmly believe in strong grassroots advocacy for deer farmers, which has been the core value of the NZDFA since its inception nearly 50 years ago.

I am passionate about creating an environment for the next generation to have the same rewarding opportunities farming deer as those before them. The 16 branches nationally are the engine room of our organisation and the local hub for guidance, support and social connection, for both new and older deer farmers alike. I believe clear and direct communication through the NZDFA network to the DINZ executive and board will ensure a strong grassroots perspective and leadership throughout all parts of the deer industry.

Tom Macfarlane

Having a vested interest in venison, velvet and genetics, I’m looking forward to helping grow our industry in a cohesive, cooperative fashion to benefit all farmers and stakeholders.

As the managing director of Melior, with my wife and kids we farm 20,000 stock units of sheep, beef and deer, across 2300 ha near Fairlie including a venison focused stud.

Getting the most value out of every levy dollar is critical to industry growth and retention on farm and in market. Premium positioning of our product is important so returns can be elevated on farm. This starts on farm.

Personally, I’m in a lucky position to engage with a broad range of farmers, researchers and industry stakeholders on a regular basis which allows me to pick up a lot of information and ground strategies. It also allows me get clear messages in both directions as needed.

Matthew Carroll

I am standing for a position on the Selection and Appointment Panel because I believe in our industry, and I want to be a part of its future. We are lifting our deer numbers and believe deer hold a strong role within the business.

As well as being a deer farmer, my previous experience with DINZ has been the facilitation of, and participation in, Advanced Parties; I held the Board Observer role in 2022; and I continue to be a passionate advocate for deer farming in New Zealand and the greater Deer Industry.

The quality of board members is pivotal to the success of our industry. Being a member of the SAP, I would focus on candidates that meet the following criteria:

I want to see an industry that:

• is cohesive in its appetite for continual improvement and long-term outlook.
• is constructive and practical in its approach to opportunities.
• maintains its pioneering spirit towards overcoming challenges.

It would be an honour to serve our industry by holding a role on the SAP.

Andrew Peters

I have served on the SAP for the past two years and view it a privilege to apply for the opportunity for re-election.

I have 47 years of deer farming experience. I am a staunch advocate for our whole industry, but in particular small- to medium-sized deer farms.

I personally have no time for corporate ideology or PC bureaucratic behaviour as these have no place in our small industry.

We need producer reps on the DINZ board who are empathetic to all deer farmers and are listening to the grassroots information the NZDFA provides.

I feel I can add value to the selection process to appoint producer reps to the board.

Donald Whyte

I have been involved with deer and deer farming since the 1970s. My wife Leigh and I are the owners of Whyte Farming Company in Mid Canterbury. I have a full-time working role on farm and in the management of staff and 40,000 SU comprising 20,000 of deer, 10,000 ewes and 1100 beef cows.

Both our children now independently farm deer. Our family have “skin in the game”.

I have been a member of the SAP for several years and value the opportunity to be part of the important selection process for the four Producer representatives of our Board Team.

I endeavour to maintain direct contact with Canterbury branches, have sat on DINZ Budget consultations for years, and as many know, I am not afraid to respectfully ask questions of those influencing or regulating our deer farming future, and expect accountability and real farm understanding.

 It is important that the Board can communicate with deer farmers and understand the commercial and practical realities on the farm, ensuring a balance between administrative perspectives and commercial viability.

I participate actively in the diplomatic process within the SAP, and together with the other elected selectors, provide a different perspective alongside the Exec members.

Barry Cuttance

• Shareholder and Director of Adeerco Natural Health Ltd. Adeerco Natural Health Ltd trades/markets New Zealand deer velvet products, both in New Zealand and also exports internationally.
• Owner of a deer farm in Oxford, North Canterbury

Hamish Fraser

• Fraser Deer LP – Owner and manager
• Venator Cardrona Safaris NZ LP – Owner and manager
• Fraser Deer USA LLC – Owner and manager
• Venator USA LLC – Owner and manager
• Orr Lake ULC – Manager

Simone Hoskin

I farm deer as a Sole Trader - Simone Oriel Hoskin, trading as Five Hawks Stud, producing velvet and hard antler, venison and live sales at 1305 Rangitikei Line, RD5, Palmerston North. I have an uncle (Quentin Connell) who farms deer on Perry's Rd, Carterton. I am a shareholder of Farmlands Co-operative and Ballance Agri-Nutrients Co-operative.

Other than the above interests, no members of my family, nor myself, have any other office, managerial position or financial interest/ shareholding in any organisation dealing directly in the products of, or materials for, the deer farming industry.

I also currently do not hold any Company Directorships or Shareholdings, as can be verified by the New Zealand Companies Office.

Jacqueline Rowarth

I am part owner of S&R DeerCo, which leases land to EI&LS Scott for deer farming.

I am part owner of Oraka Farming, which leases land to EI&LS Scott for deer farming.

Ian Scott, business partner in S&R DeerCO and Oraka Farming, is the outgoing Chair of the NVSB. Ian Scott is part owner of EI&LS Scott, which sells venison, velvet, trophy stags, and deer livestock for herds on other properties.

I am a farmer-elected director on the Boards of DairyNZ and Ravensdown. DairyNZ has no known overlap with deer farming (though some dairy levy payers also pay levies to DINZ). Ravensdown supplies fertiliser to deer farms when requested; the board has no direct influence on customers and their purchases. Neither DairyNZ nor Ravensdown deals directly in the products of deer farming.

Justin Stevens

• Provelco – Hold shares and supply velvet under JS and R Stevens partnership
• Alliance – Hold shares and supply deer under JS and R Stevens partnership
• Farmlands – Hold shares and purchase products under JS and R Stevens partnership
• Ravensdown – Hold shares and purchase products under JS and R Stevens partnership