Nov 16, 2026
Over 120 people converged on Raincliff Station in South Canterbury on Tuesday 27 October. The occasion was to celebrate the Morgan family winning the 2025 Deer Industry (supreme) Elworthy Award and the Streamlands Export NZ Velvet Award for leading, environmentally sustainable velvet farming.
Danette McKeown expertly facilitated the day that started off with a brief overview of the farm and its development since the family moved from Wales to Raincliff in 2002, buying it outright in 2010. Currently the farm is 915 ha (800 ha effective and 760 ha deer fenced) producing velvet and venison, beef, dairy grazing and 200 head of MA sheep and 150-300 Fallow deer.
The weather was severe reminder that spring can be fickle and while the rain stayed away, the biting southerly was keenly felt out on the farm tour.
Stop 1, top paddock. David Morgan, Wayne Allan, Danette McKeown and Janet Gregory talk fencing and the farm in overview.
Stop 2. Wetlands and waterways (and a long convoy)
The scale and speed at what the family have done to minimise their farming environmental footprint while maintaining profitability was impressive. Environmental stewardship was motivated more by personal values and a consumer focus as much as (if not more than) keeping in front of government regulations. Although David wished that this was reflected in a genuine price premium and not just entry to the market.
Ending back at the deer shed and out of the wind, presentations from Wayne Allan, John Sadler and Brad Olsen rounded out the day. And of course, finishing up with venison buns from Mountain River and refreshments from Westpac allowed people to catch up and socialise.
Photo credit: J. Gregory
Congratulations to the Morgan family and thanks to Raincliff and the SCNO branch for an inspiring, informative and fun day out in an impressive farm.
Tree planting “ceremony”: David Morgan, Paddy Boyd (DINZ), Colin Jordan (SCNO Chair), Janet Gregory (lead judge for the awards). Photo credit: J. Gregory
Three generations of the Morgan Family Photo credit: J Gregory
Click here to go back to Issue 226 to read more of this months Stagline articles >>
