RIRDC Completed Projects in 2001-2002 & Research in Progress as at June 2002

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To Deer Research in Progress

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
BII-2A	Development of domestic markets for value added Australian Velvet Antler and Deer Co Products Part B	Chris Tuckwell	08 8523 3500	Bilby International Pty Ltd
DIP-4A	Quality assurance, strategic alliances and industry development	Chris Tuckwell	08 8523 3500	Deer Industry Projects & Developments Pty Ltd
SAR-21A	Defining energy and protein requirements of fallow deer under a Mediterranean environment	Dr Yingjum Ru	08 8303 7787	South Australin Research and Development Institute
UA-46A	Overcoming summer/autumn nutritional constraints to deer production in Southern Australia	Philip Tow &  Dean Revell	08 8303 7857 08 8303 7911	University of Adelaide
UQ-78A	Drought feeding - Early weaning strategies	Gordon Dryden	07 5460 1255	University of Queensland


 

Project Title:	Development of domestic markets for value added Australian Velvet Antler and Deer Co Products Part B
RIRDC Project No.:	BII-2A
Researcher:	Chris Tuckwell
Organisation:	Rural Industry Developments PO Box 1105 Gawler East SA 5118
Phone:	08 8523 3500
Fax:	08 8523 3301
Email:	cdtuckwell@bigpond.com
Objectives	Follow part ‘A’ of the project, the major emphasis of this project was the development of a manual that documents specifications for Australian deer industry velvet antler and venison co-products. Discrete objectives were to: · Improve returns to Australian fallow deer farmers by developing profitable, sustainable domestic Australian market demand for fallow deer velvet antler · Improve returns to all Australian deer farmers by developing profitable demand for co products (liver, sinews, hearts, blood and kidneys) · Initiate production of value added deer antler and venison co-products according to specifications documented by Part A of this project Develop a promotional manual that documents specifications for fresh and value added, Australian deer industry velvet antler and venison co-products
Background	One of the major reasons for the consistently greater returns realised by New Zealand farmers from animals sold for slaughter is that New Zealand marketers have created ongoing, profitable demand for co products collected during animal processing. In the past, the many processors of Australian deer have been unable to separately market their small volumes of co products. Improvement in information about co products produced by deer in Australia and the development of standard specifications for the products will contribute to improved returns for Australian deer farmers.  Our investigation (Part ‘A’ of this project) of Australian tourist markets, in particular health food shops and Asian herbalist shops, suggests that this market sector’s knowledge of the Australian deer industry generally and the availability of deer co-products specifically, is almost nonexistent. There are some commercial outlets serviced by Australian companies that have limited knowledge of the Australian industry. However there has been little or no commercial development of these markets and the only promotional material available to retailers is that produced by New Zealand.
Research	A velvet and venison co-products specifications manual for farmers and marketers was developed in consultation with the New Zealand Game Industry Board, Australian Deer Horn and Co-products Pty Ltd, Tong Ren Tang Australia, The Alpine Deer Group (NZ) and Bilby International. This manual will provide the basis for a confident expansion of market development programs that are linked to and compliment the Australian deer industry Quality Assurance programs.


 

Outcomes

The velvet antler and venison co-products manual produced by this project provides those involved in marketing products with a ‘user friendly’ publication that will inform purchasers of the standard specifications for products produced in Australia and of the Australian industry’s commitment to Quality Assurance in production and supply of the products it produces. The manual also provides farmers with an ‘easy to update’ summary of velvet grading charts and general information about venison co-products. The velvet antler and venison co-products manual compliments the Australian Deer Industry’s Quality Assurance program is well placed to aid the confident production of products that meet processor/marketer quality standards.

Implications

This manual should be regarded as a ‘living’ document that will progressively meet changing requirements. It was developed with input and cooperation from a wide range of Industry personnel, all of whom we thank sincerely. In particular a special note of thanks is given to the New Zealand Game Industry Board for its consent to include information from their Velvet Grading Charts for Red deer and Wapiti in this manual.  All processors and purchasers of Velvet Antler and Venison Co-products are urged to use the manual and make recommendations for amendments to further the aims of excellence within the Australian deer industry


 

Project Title:	Quality Assurance, Strategic Alliances and Industry Development
RIRDC Project No.:	DIP-4A
Researcher:	Chris Tuckwell
Organisation:	Rural Industry Developments PO Box 1105 Gawler East SA 5118
Phone:	08 8523 3500
Fax:	08 8523 3301
Email:	cdtuckwell@bigpond.com
Objectives	To develop and implement strategies that will consolidate and expand production of Australian deer products and position the Australian Deer Industry as a commercial livestock industry that complements Australian's traditional livestock industries.
Background	The expansion of the Deer industry in Australia will continue to be dependent on promulgation of positive market information. Positive market information will only become available when all negative aspects of production and marketing are minimised and clients develop confidence in the Industry's ability to develop long-term supply contracts for high quality products. Cooperation between production and processing sectors must be encouraged and developed quickly and openly. Databases of industry statistics must be maintained and accessible. Without doubt promotion and adoption of quality assurance programs are an integral part of this development Australian deer industry's background has been well documented.
Research	The four major components to the project were: (i) maintenance an development of existing databases; (ii) development of strategic alliances between processors and between producers and processors; (iii) the development of documentation for the of documentation for the licensed used of registered of industry QA marks and facilitation of QA adoption by industry; and (iv) continued collection and open reporting of market and other industry trends.
Outcomes	Database development has continued and statistical data has been collected and reported to industry. Reference databases are available interested persons on the RIRDC and DIAA websites. A simple venison price schedule calculator has been developed for industry as well as an integrated venison statistic recording and analysis program (VenStat). VenStat will the continued collection and analysis of venison statistics that can be used in conjunction with the industry quality assurance program and for the production of industry development and marketing statistics. Venison promotion and marketing programs mean that venison is now included in the Food and Beverage Association’s Source Book. The Source Book, widely used by Australian Chefs and food purchasers, is a compilation of details of food and beverage available in Australia and how to obtain product as required. A quality assurance facilitator workshop was undertaken to train industry QA facilitators in the accreditation of deer farms and deer transports and a Code of Practice for Facilitators was developed to meet legal requirements of industry and the facilitators. Revised truck cleaning procedures were negotiated by industry to better meet industry needs and meet EU quality assurance expectations. Documentation for five industry quality assurance marks has been developed and submitted to the trade marks office and the ACCC for registration. Although returns to producers have increased significantly during this project increases in venison prices have been principally due to a devaluation in the Australian dollar and demand for red meat other than beef by European consumers as a result of BSE. The average quality (HCW) of Australian venison has changed little since April 1998. Promotion of the industry Quality Assurance Program is ongoing. Statistical data collected includes industry information on average venison prices by carcase weight range within breeds.


 

Implications

The industry should actively encourage the use of the VenStat program by all venison processors and make it available to all Australian processors at a price that encourages them to use it. Data collected by the VenStat program will add to the Industry’s growing database and provide detail not previously collected on sex of animals processed and in the future details about condition score, age at slaughter and amount of bruising. This information is vital requirement for planning marketing and production strategies and for identifying quality assurance issues that can influence farmer returns. Current venison prices are principally a function of factors that are beyond industry control and average venison quality (as determined by average hot carcase weight data) has changed little since April 1998. To provide a more stable basis for venison prices the average hot carcase weight venison must be improved and the variation around the average must be reduced. Research in Australia and New Zealand along with the wide variation in hot carcase weight of animals processed in Australian abattoirs suggests that improved producer management of deer can improve aspects of poor carcase quality.  Strategies that should be considered to improve the average hot carcase weight of deer processed in Australia include: 1. Bench Marking of a series of properties to demonstrate management techniques to achieve ideal carcase weight: 2. Detailed cost benefit analysis of achieving ideal hot carcase weight; 3. Training of Australian deer farmers and processors in live body condition score (BCS) assessment of deer; A continuation of the regular and open reporting of market information to industry.


 

Project Title:	Defining energy and protein requirements of fallow deer under a Mediterranean environment
RIRDC Project No.:	SAR-21A
Researcher:	Dr Yingjun Ru
Organisation:	South Australian Research and Development Institute
Phone:	08 83037787
Fax:	08 8303 7977
Email:	ru.yingjun@saugov.sa.gov.au
Objectives	· To monitor seasonal nutrient intake by deer under grazing conditions. · To determine energy and protein requirements of fallow deer under a Mediterranean environment. · To develop strategies for supplementary feeding during summer and winter. · To improve liveweight gain or reduce the time taken to reach target finishing liveweight by using cost-effective diet formulations based on the nutrient requirement of deer and nutritive value of feed ingredients. · To disseminate research outcomes to deer farmers by the ALFI database, seminars, workshop and scientific publications. · To improve deer farmers profitability by feeding more nutritionally sound diets.
Background	The Mediterranean environment is characterised by wet cold winters and hot dry summers. The herbage availability for grazing deer under such environment fluctuates with the season, resulting in a low availability of green feed in autumn and winter, a surplus of green feed in spring, and a dry feed period in summer/ autumn. The seasonal feed supply results in a significant variation in growth rate of deer. Supplementary feeding in early winter and summer is required to achieve economic production. However, supplementary feeding for deer is either commenced at the incorrect time or is not meeting the animal requirements, resulting in significant additional costs for the industry. To develop an economic supplementary feeding strategy, it is essential to understand the seasonal variation in nutrient intake from pastures of grazing deer and the nutrient requirements of deer at various productive levels.
Research	To define the nutrient requirements and forage intake of grazing fallow deer, four trials were conducted. The experiments demonstrated that there was difference in digestibility between sheep and deer, depending on the type of pastures. Forage intake was low in early winter and influenced by the amount of supplementary feed available. There was seasonal variation in energy and protein requirements for fallow deer for each kg of body weight gain. Energy level in diets is the key factor limiting deer growth. Oats and triticale are good supplementary feeds.
Outcomes	· Data on chemical composition and nutritive value of 11 feed ingredients were obtained for use in inclusion in least cost supplementary feed diets. · The data obtained on forage intake and energy and protein requirements can be used to for the development of supplementary feeding and pasture management strategies. · Oats and triticale are effective as supplements for deer, but the inclusion of lupins as additional protein source had no benefit.
Implications	The data obtained in this study can be immediately adopted by the deer farmers for the development of supplementary feeding and pasture management strategies during the season. This will ensure that southern Australia deer farmers are using cost effective feeding strategies to produce quality venison.

Publications

Miao, Z. H., P.C. Glatz, A. English and Y.J. Ru (2001).Managing red and fallow deer for animal house research- ANZCART December 2001. Ru, Y. J., Z. H. Miao, P. C. Glatz and M. Choct (2002). Predicting feed intake of fallow deer (Dama Dama) using alkanes as a marker. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science. 15, 209-212. Ru, Y. J., P. C. Glatz, Z. H. Miao, K. Swanson, S. Falkenberg and S. Wyatt (2002). Comparison of the digestibility of grain and forage by sheep, red and fallow deer. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science. 15, 800-805. Ru, Y. J., J. A. Kruk, M. Fischer, M. Choct and P. C. Glatz. (2002). Predicting n-alkane concentration in pastures and deer faeces for dietary composition and digestibility measurement using near infrared spectroscopy. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science (in press). Ru, Y. J., W.K. Peng, J.A. Kruk, P.C. Glatz, M. Fischer and K. Swanson. (2002). Predicting crude protein content and in vitro digestibility of pastures for fallow deer using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR). Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science (in press). Ru, Y. J. and P. C. Glatz (2002). Energy requirements of 28-32 kg fallow weaner deer in southern Australia. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science (in press). Ru. Y. J. and P. C. Glatz (2002). The digestibility of feed ingredients for sheep, red and fallow deer. Australian Deer Farming (submitted).


 

Project Title:	Overcoming nutritional constraints to growth of weaner fallow deer in southern Australia.
RIRDC Project No.:	UA-46A
Researcher:	Dean Revell & Philip Tow
Organisation:	Department of Animal Science & Department of Agronomy and Farming Systems  Adelaide University Roseworthy Campus Roseworthy SA 5371
Phone:	(08) 8303 79711
Fax:	(08) 8303 7972
Email:	dean.revell@adelaide.edu.au
Objectives	· Provision of cost-effective strategies for nutrition of weaner deer in dryland farming regions in southern Australia that will reduce nutritional stress in the dry autumn post-weaning period and maintain high growth rates. · Through dissemination of research results, improve deer production and foster expansion of the deer industry into dryland farming regions of southern Australia.
Background	Weaning fallow deer in southern Australia usually coincides with low pasture availability and quality. The use of feed supplements (grain or conserved roughages) or alternatives such as dryland lucerne are required. No comparisons between feedstuffs available for weaner fallow deer in southern Australia were available, and there was no information on the extent of any compensatory growth of fallow deer during late winter and spring when feed quality and quantity are non- limiting.
Research	This project investigated the use of grain supplements (barley and lupins), hay, silage or in lucerne (either in a cut-and-carry or grazing system) on growth performance of weaner deer. The use of annual medic pasture in winter and early spring, combined with lucerne in late spring/early summer was also investigated.
Outcomes	To maximise post-weaning growth rates, the best supplements to natural pasture in autumn were barley/lupin grain (70:30 mix) or barley grain alone. Fallow deer fed these supplements have outperformed those that received hay, silage, or cut-and-carry lucerne as supplements. The use of standing lucerne as an autumn feed source has shown great promise. Weaner deer performed as well, or better, on standing (ie, fresh) lucerne than on grain supplements. The provision of grain supplements or access to fresh lucerne did not completely overcome slow rates of growth that characteristically occur during the first 2-4 weeks immediately post-weaning. The improvement in early growth performance from supplementation continued after supplementation ended, resulting in improved live weight at the end of spring, and/or a reduction in the number of days required to reach a target market weight. Annual medic pasture provided a suitable feed source that can be used to attain acceptable bodyweight gains per hectare, as long as stocking density is optimised.
Implications	This project has demonstrated the feasibility of the combined use of grain supplements, annual medic pasture and lucerne pasture to achieve marketable weights of fallow deer by early summer. Success depends on high standards of both deer husbandry and pasture management.
Publications	Revell, D.K., Tow, P.I. and Malycha, M. (2000) Feeding strategies for profitable venison production in southern Australia. Australian Deer Farming 11, 23-24.


 

Project Title:	Drought feeding - Early weaning strategies
RIRDC Project No.:	UQ-78A
Researcher:	Gordon Dryden
Organisation:	School of Animal Studies, The University of Queensland, Gatton Q 4343
Phone:	07-5460 1255
Fax:	07-5460 1444
Email:	gmd@sas.uq.edu.au
Objectives	To investigate the feasibility of early weaning of red deer calves, and its effects on growth, health, food intake and digestion, of early-weaned calves.
Background	Early weaning/artificial rearing is an intensive feeding system which could give deer farmers additional control over their enterprise. It should be useful in the normal management of deer, because rapid weaner growth gives more flexibility to meet seasonal demands for venison. It may help to reduce the adverse effects of predation and mismothering. It is especially relevant to the management of deer herds in droughts. Little is known about how early weaning/artificial rearing might be best accomplished under Australian conditions.
Research	Red deer (Cervus elaphus) calves were weaned at either 7 or 9 weeks of age. The variables monitored were acceptance and consumption of solid food, any occurrence of ill-health (such as diarrhoea, dehydration, and laminitis), the growth of the early-weaned calves during the period of artificial rearing and throughout the subsequent year, and the calves’ abilities to digest solid food constituents.
Outcomes	These red deer calves accepted solid food immediately, and there were few incidences of dominant behaviour between the paired calves. There were no cases of diarrhoea or laminitis (two conditions which may occur in ruminants which have been allowed free-choice access to concentrate-rich foods), or any other adverse effects on animal health. It is concluded that (1) early weaning at 7 weeks is feasible, (2) early-weaned calves will show the effects of a growth check at weaning, and may be smaller than their normally-reared counterparts for several months, (3) these effects will be largely overcome during the next season of good pasture growth.
Implications	The monetary benefits of early weaning may be $50,000 per year in saving orphaned calves, nationally, and $3 million over 10 years in Queensland alone in drought mitigation.
Publications	Dryden, G.McL. (2000). Food consumption and growth of female red deer fawns after early weaning. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of Australia, 24: 257.