The effect of removal technique and post-removal handling on velvet antlercolour

Asian markets for velvet antler perceive the colour of the core as a primar y indicator of quality. The factors which influence colour are not known, b ut the market preference in Korea is for an even mid-red colour. The aim of the present study was to determine whether removal technique and post-remo val handling influence velvet colour. Investigations took place at AgResear ch Invermay and at Mount Hutt Station in mid Canterbury, New Zealand. The i nfluences on velvet antler colour of sedative drug, mild stress, local anae sthetic administration, timing of tourniquet application, and restraint of the stags in a crush or workroom for velvet antler removal were investigate d. The effects of antler orientation post-removal and post-removal environm ental temperature on velvet antler colour were also investigated. In all st udies, velvet antler was frozen and held at -20 degrees C before being drie d either by freeze drying or commercially. In all trials, a consistent patt ern of both lightness and hue angle was shown from the tip of the velvet an tler stick to the base; the tip was lighter and browner, the mid section wa s darker and redder, and the base was lighter and browner. There were no si gnificant overall effects of drug treatment on colour, but there were signi ficant differences among sections. Specifically, sedative drug treatments r esulted in less red velvet antler than in control antlers removed using loc al analgesic only Mild stress and method of local analgesic administration had no effect on any aspect of velvet antler colour. Placing the velvet at an angle of 15 degrees (tip down) gave a darker and redder antler than the typical fully inverted position. There were no significant differences in c olour whether the velvet antler was frozen immediately after removal or hel d at 4 degrees C or ambient temperature for up to 6 hours prior to freezing . Overall, the use of sedative drugs produces velvet antler that is lighter and less red, and post-removal handling technique can influence colour.