ECOLOGICALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT - ASPECTS OF MODERN SUSTAINABLE DEER FARMING SYSTEMS

Modern deer farming systems have become increasingly intensive allowin g strategic feeding for production and genetic improvement programmes. Meeting feeding standards that account for changing nutritional deman ds related to seasonality and reproductive state is critical. As the i ndustry matures there is a growing awareness of the balance between re taining natural behaviour in producing breeding stock on larger extens ive holdings and intensification systems for performance in young stoc k. Stocking rates are critical determinants of success as land use and capability needs are matched with an increasing stratification of sto ck type and purpose. Food product safety and welfare considerations of farmed deer are being driven by consumer demands. Farm quality assura nce and codes of practice are developing to ensure that deer farming m eets and exceeds international expectations of land use and deer welfa re in modern deer farming systems.