Typical Venison Production Cycle
Typical Venison Production Cycle
New Zealand venison marketing companies can deliver premium quality venison 12 months of the year. However, because a natural pasture based farming system is used in New Zealand there are peaks and troughs in the supply of chilled venison due to the annual production cycle. Supply is highest through the New Zealand Summer and fall - October to March, and lowest in the New Zealand winter months April through to August. Farmers can grow young deer quickly on fresh spring and summer pastures but will need to use stored feed during the winter, so most farmers will aim to grow their young deer to the desired weights before the onset of winter.
Nearly all deer bred for venison production in New Zealand are processed before the animals are two years of age. New Zealand processing facilities operate year round, venison marketing companies will agree delivery times with their suppliers to ensure a constant supply of venison over the whole year.
This information provides a simplification of the New Zealand venison production cycle. The actual dates of these activities will vary between different farm systems and geographic location, but this is a guide to when most of these events happen on most New Zealand farms.
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Venison Production Cycle in New Zealand |
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Year 1. |
Breeding Hinds |
Fawns |
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November |
“Fawning” or “Calving” |
Fawns born |
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December |
Fawning |
Fawns born |
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January |
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February |
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March |
Surplus hinds removed from the herd. |
Weaning – removing fawns from hinds |
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April |
Stags put with hinds for mating |
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May |
Stags removed from Hinds |
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June |
Pregnancy scanning |
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July |
Non-pregnant hinds sent for processing |
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August |
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First kill of largest new season animals (8 months old) |
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September |
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Sent for slaughter as they hit target weights |
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October |
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Sent for slaughter as they hit target weights |
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Year 2 |
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Yearlings - Year 2 |
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November |
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Now called yearlings drafted as they hit target weights |
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December |
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Yearlings drafted as they hit target weights |
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January |
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Yearlings drafted as they hit target weights |
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February |
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Yearlings drafted as they hit target weights |
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March |
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Yearlings drafted as they hit target weights |
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April |
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Yearlings drafted as they hit target weights |
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May |
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Females not needed as breeding replacements sent for slaughter |
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June |
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Females not needed as breeding replacements sent for slaughter |
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July |
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Females not needed as breeding replacements sent for slaughter |
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Glossary: Fawn – The offspring of red deer, the predominant breed farmed in New Zealand Calf – The offspring of Wapiti, used as terminal sires in New Zealand Weaning – Separating the fawn from the hind. Normally done before mating. Hind – Female red deer Stag – Male red deer Yearlings – Animals one year old. Draft – Selecting animals that hit target weights and condition to be sent for sale or slaughter Cull – To remove from the herd and send for slaughter, or sale Breeding replacements – Yearling female animals kept to add to the breeding herd. Most farmers will replace 15% to 20% of their breeding hinds each year. Pregnancy Scanning – Ultra sound scan to confirm pregnancy |
