Maximizing Red Deer Venison Production Through High Quality Pasture

A novel pasture system emphasizing pasture quality was tested for the ability to finish young Red deer stock at 11-12 months. This enables 1 year's crop of fawns to be sold before the next arrives, and hence overcomes carrying capacity problems. The species tested had previously been identified as of high quality and being highly preferred by red deer. Grasslands Colenso red clover (Trifolium pratense L,) or Grasslands Puna chicory (Chichorium intybus) were tested for supplying high quality summer forage during the lactation phase. Grasslands Tama weslerwolds ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) provided high quality post-weaning forage during winter when the chicory and red clover were dormant. Fawns weaned 15% higher on the chicory and 10% higher on the red clover treatment. These advantages over the resident ryegrass-based pasture were maintained, reaching in November 20% for chicory (+24% slags, +15% hinds) and +10% for red clover (slags and hinds).