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New RIRDC Deer Program Manager
New RIRDC Deer Program ManagerThe Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation recently announced the appointment of Dr Laurence Denholm as Research Manager for the RIRDC Deer R&D Sub-Program, replacing Mr Peter Core.
Dr Denholm brings to the Research Manager ’s position 25 years of experience in biomedical and agricultural research,animal disease control and government administration.After undergraduate training in agricultural science and veterinary science in Australia in the 1970’s, he completed a PhD at Cornell University, New York and a post-doctoral fellowship at the U.S.National Institutes of Health, Maryland in 1985.More recently he has undertaken a law degree part-time and last year was admitted as a Legal Practitioner of the Supreme Court of NSW.
Throughout his career,Dr Denholm has maintained an active involvement in farming,including deer farming for several years before going to the USA to study.He currently runs a beef cattle breeding herd on his family property at Orange,NSW.
As all RIRDC Research Program Managers are ex officio members of RIRDC Research Advisory Committees,Dr Denholm has now relinquished his position as an industry nominated member of the Deer Research Advisory Committee, a position he held for more than 10 years. His position on the advisory committee has been filled by Prof.Robert Mulley.
Dr Denholm will be meeting with deer industry representatives in the near future to discuss the direction of the deer R&D program and the industry ’s expectations from the program. He is also keen to hear from any individual deer farmers who have particular ideas about R&D opportunities or priorities in the industry. Dr Denholm may be contacted on (02) 6365 5482, preferably at night or weekends, or by email at denholml@bigpond.com.
Changes in the RIRDC Deer sub-programRarely are so many changes to the people involved with the deer industr ’s R&D program announced in the same edition of this newsletter. But this edition records several significant changes over the last few months.
The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation has a new Board and a new Managing Director and the Deer Sub-Program has a new Program Manager.Two new members of the Deer R&D Advisory Committee have also been appointed.
A new round of RIRDC R&D Project Funding is about to commence and several current projects are nearing completion. These and other issues of importance to Australian deer farmers are discussed in this edition of the newsletter.
Peter Core thanked by Research CommitteeA fter six years as Managing Director of the Rural Industries Research and Develop- ment Corporation,Peter Core has moved on to take up an appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), reporting directly to the Foreign Minister,the Hon.Alexander Downer. During his six years with RIRDC, Peter also held the position of Research Manager for the Deer R&D Program.In this role Peter became familiar to most deer farmers in Australia.
In farewelling Mr Core at the last meeting,Chairperson of the Deer Industry Research Advisory Committee,Ms Nola Anderson, expressed the committee ’s thanks and noted the wide appreciation in the deer industry of Peter ’s contribution and support for the industry over his six year term.
Mr Core’s easy going style and "can do " approach to most problems were most welcome in the industry. During his term as Research Manager the deer industry has gone through difficult economic times with the impact of the Asian crisis and the associated general downturn in world economic conditions. The deer industry has emerged from this period more focussed and in a stronger position to move forward than before.Peter Core is widely acknowledged as having played a significant role in assisting the industry to deal with many of its problems during that period.
We wish him all the best in his future role with ACIAR.
New RIRDC Managing Director appointedDr Simon Hearn has been appointed as Managing Director of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, replacing Mr Peter Core.
In welcoming the new Managing Director to RIRDC,Professor Beth Woods,Chair of the RIRDC Board,said that Dr Hearn had a lifetime of experience in agriculture in Australia and overseas and an intimate knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Dr Hearn was formerly Executive Manager, Market Access and Biosecurity for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia (AFFA) – previously the Department of Primary Industry and Energy. He has extensive experience in agricultural and mining policy development and economic analysis in Australia and overseas.In the late 1980’s he was the Agricultural Representative at the Australian Mission to the European Union, based in Brussels.
Dr Hearn’s academic qualifications include a BSc in agriculture and economics from Reading University and a PhD in agricultural economics from London University.
Prior to his career in government policy development, he had several years of practical farm management experience on his family’s farm in Africa.
Dr Hearn took up his appointment in early July.
New members of Deer Industry Research Advisory CommitteeRIRDC has announced the appoint- ment of two new members of the Deer Research Advisory Committee.
Prof. Robert Mulley from the University of Western Sydney and Mr Ian Dowsett will join Ms Nola Anderson (Chair), Dr Paul Presidente and Mr Guy Dockrill on the committee.
Prof. Mulley is well known in deer farming circles.Since completing a PhD on reproduction in fallow under Dr Tony English at the University of Sydney in the 1989, Prof.Mulley has established and managed a deer research program at the University of Western Sydney where he is now Head of the School of Environment and Agri- culture.
Prof. Mulley’s group has undertaken a number of major research projects for RIRDC over the last decade, mainly in the areas of deer nutrition,reproductive performance and venison product development. In this time Prof.Mulley supervised the PhD research work of seven students, six of them working with deer.
Prof. Mulley brings to the committee his wide knowledge and understanding of deer research in Australia and overseas and a passion for practical improvements to deer production.
Also appointed to the advisory committee is Mr Ian Dowsett,a deer farmer from Neville in the Central Tablelands area of NSW.Mr Dowsett has been a farmer and grazier for 30 years and a deer farmer for 12 years, currently running 1,000 red deer producing both venison and velvet antler.
He has studied deer farming and antler production in Korea,China,Canada and New Zealand. Mr Dowsett is currently President of the NSW Branch of the Deer Industry Association of Australia and a Director of Australian Deer Horn and Co-Products Pty Ltd, the industry ’s velvet marketing company. He brings to the advisory committee considerable commercial experience in the areas of deer production and deer product marketing.
New research proposals invitedRIRDC recently announced its research grant scheme for 2003/2004. Preliminary Research Proposals (PRPs) should be forwarded to reach RIRDC by 27th September 2002.
Deer farmers are invited to submit applications for R&D projects and to encourage research scientists with whom they have contact to submit project proposals. RIRDC has adequate funds for several new projects in 2003/04 and the industry advisory committee would like to see as many applications as possible.
To have a chance of success in attracting RIRDC funding,the project objectives must be relevant to the R&D priorities established under the industry’s 5 Year Plan. This plan is available on the RIRDC website (www.rirdc.gov.au).
Most importantly,the methodology of the project must be clearly stated. If the project involves experimental treatment comparisons,the design must be statistically valid. Deer farmers who think they have a good idea for a new research project but are unsure about how to organise the work should contact an experienced researcher. Members of the advi- sory committee can also provide assistance.
Applicants should use the correct Application Form which is available from RIRDC and can be downloaded from the RIRDC WebSite
Deer Industry Company Report - March 2002Quality Assurance
A report on the Australian Deer Quality Assurance program was presented to the recent Third World Deer Farming Congress in Texas.
The report summarised the work undertaken by the Australian deer industry and in the recent development of its Deer QAMA computer software program.
Canadian and European representatives (particularly those from Britain)attend- ing the Congress where impressed with the quality assurance computer software program developed by RIRDC and the Australian Deer Industry. Negotiations have begun to consider any amendments that may be required to ensure that the software to meets international require- ments and provide a source of income for the Australian deer industry.
World Deer Congress
T here is still no doubt that the global deer farming industry continues to expand and also continues to be dominated by New Zealand.
Deer farming in New Zealand,Australia, Britain and Canada is generally under- taken in a similar manner to farming of traditional livestock species where factors like size of enterprise (economies of scale) and market availability for commercial products (in particular venison)of the industry are of major importance.How- ever European deer industries have been dramatically affected by recent animal/ human health concerns created by BSE and Foot and Mouth Disease while North American industries continue to be influenced by CWD management programs.
Community animal/human health con- cerns that have grown since the outbreaks of disease in Europe and North America have increased the emphasis on well-managed Quality Assurance programs,particu- larly in Europe.
Much of the technical information pre- sented at the conference was similar to that presented at other conferences and several papers describes humankind ’s long association with consumption and management of deer populations throughout Europe and Asia.
Venison sales
A verage venison prices (across all species and weight ranges) remained high from July 2001 to October but have been showing a gradual decline from an average price of $5.30 in during October 2001 to $3.38 during February 2002.
The average price for fallow deer venison (price per kg hot carcase weight fell from $4.80 in October to $3.00 in February.
During the same period,the average price for red and red hybrid venison (price per kg hot carcase weight delivered to the abattoir)fell from $5.60 during October to $3.70 in February.(future reports may amend these data as some processor data was unavailable at the time of writing this report).
From July 2001 through to February 2002 the number of deer processed by cooperating processors totalled of about 17,230 deer, while during the same period last year,about 30,700 were processed (approximately 44%decrease). The average carcase weight of red and fallow deer processed for the period July 2001 through to February 2002 was 54.0 kgs and 24.6 kgs respectively.
Bilby Co products project
P art two of the Bilby project funded by RIRDC (Development of Domestic Markets for Value Added Australian Velvet Antler and Deer Co Products)is almost complete.
This part of the project is developing a Venison Co-products guide specifications manual that will have a similar format to the Venison Language and Specifications manual initially developed with help from AUSMEAT and more recently amended and reproduced.
Deer QAMA Interest
As a follow up to the recent Third World Deer Farming Congress in Texas, the Deer Industry Company has received a request from a member of the Association of Dutch Deer farmers for an evaluation copy of Deer QAMA. The Dutch government is imposing regulations related to animal welfare, tracking of animal movements, individual animal identification and recording of drugs provided to individual animals.
They are keen to assess the usefulness of Deer QAMA for their situation.
There is ongoing negotiation between the Canadian and British deer farmers about the possibility of using it for their indus- tries.
An upgrade of the Deer QAMA program will begin soon. The upgrade intends to address issues identified by those already using the program and in particular add the ability to record body weight,velvet weights and to produce pedigree tree infor- mation.
Quality Assurance
There is still no doubt that the global deer farming industry continues its increasing emphasis of quality assurance. The interest in the Australian Deer QAMA program provides direct evidence of the importance of quality assurance to industries in the regions that absorb much of the Australian industry’s production.
This is further evidence that in the near future a major requirement for access to international markets will be evidence that commodities are produced on enterprises that can demonstrate production accord ing to a set of standards that are guarantee by external auditing.
Venison sales
Average venison prices (across all species and weight ranges)have declined from January to July 2002 from an average price of $3.36 in during January 2002 to $2.54 during June 2002.The average price for fallow deer venison (price per kg hot carcase weight fell from $3.36 in January to $2.45 in June.During the same period, the average price for red and red hybrid venison (price per kg hot carcase weight delivered to the abattoir)fell from $3.67 during January to $2.65 in June.
From July 2001 through to June 2002 the number of deer processed by cooperating processors totalled of about 23,511 deer (the total number processed is estimated to be about 29,389. During 2000/2001 about 48,000 were processed (approximately 40%decrease).
The average carcase weight of red and fallow deer processed for the 2001/2002 year was 53.2 kgs and 23.2 kgs respectively.
Bilby Co products project
Part two of the Bilby project funded by RIRDC (Development of Domestic Markets for Value Added Australian Velvet Antler and Deer Co Products) is complete.
The Velvet Antler and Venison Co-prod- uct Manual will be printed soon.A small number will be printed in Chinese and Korean to assist those involved in mar- keting Australia ’s Velvet and Venison Co- products.
Venison prices - March to June 2002
Several new projects have been funded for 2002/03. These include production of a deer velvet pamphlet, upgrading of the Deer QAMA software,development and printing of a deer production handbook and continued reporting of industry production statistics,development of a nutrition decision support system for deer farmers and a project to define optimum weaning time for red and fallow deer. Full details of these projects will be reported in the next newsletter.
Johne’s updateVeterinary authorities in several states are continuing to investigate deer herds that have had contact with known infected herds. To date 7 infected herds have been identified, 6 in Victoria and 1 in South Australia.In some of these herds infection appears to have occurred as a result of contact with JD infected cattle or land contaminated by JD infected cattle. Only cattle ("C ") strains of the JD bacteria have been isolated from deer to date despite the significant number of deer farms in areas of NSW and Victoria where ovine Johne’s disease is common. A validated diagnostic test approved by the national Veterinary Committee is necessary for development of a Market Assurance Program for deer (DeerMAP). The RIRDC funded project to develop and validate a diagnostic test for JD in deer is now close to completion.
Chronic wasting diseaseChronic wasting disease of cervids (CWD)remains a continuing cause for concern in the North American farmed deer industry.To date the disease has only been a problem for deer farmers with elk, but it is known that other deer are susceptible.
CWD is one of a group of "transmissable spongiform encephalopathies " (TSE) of which scrapie in sheep, BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy or "mad cow disease ")and Creutzfelt-Jakob Disease (CJD)in humans are the best known.
TSEs are thought to be caused by "prions ", abnormal forms of normal nerve cell mem- brane protein molecules that can trigger a cascading chain reaction change in normal molecules from the functional molecular configuration to the abnormal and dys- functional configuration.Although these infectious agents are very poorly under- stood,there is no reason to believe the CWD prion affects man or animals other than deer.The World Health Organisation has said there is no scientific evidence that CWD can infect humans.Over 16 years of monitoring in the CWD infected area in Colorado has found no evidence of the disease in people or cattle living there.
However, WHO also says no part of a deer or elk with evidence of CWD should be eaten by people or other animals.
CWD affects elk, mule and white-tailed deer.Since it was first recognised in wild deer in Wyoming in 1967, CWD has been diagnosed in free-ranging deer and elk, primarily in north-eastern Colorado/south- eastern Wyoming and adjacent Nebraska, but has also been found in captive elk in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma,Saskatchewan, and South Dakota since 1997. CWD is spread by close contact between animals,but animals exposed to CWD-contaminated environments may also become infected. Usually, months to years pass from the time when the animal is infected to when it shows signs of the disease.
Classic CWD signs are usually seen in deer/elk 18 months or older and include poor body condition, tremors, stumbling, increased salivation, difficulty swallowing, and excessive thirst or urination. The disease is invariably fatal. To date there has been no way to test a live animal for CWD; the brain from a recently dead animal must be examined microscopically to confirm a diagnosis of CWD.US researchers are now trying to develop a test for live animals based on a tonsil biopsy.
The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a plan to provide indemnity payments (compensation) of up to $3,000 per head for voluntary depopu- lation of infected farmed deer herds.
USDA believes these indemnity payments will reduce the risk of other deer becoming infected.There is serious concern in the U.S.that movement of infected farmed elk around the country may accelerate spread of CWD,with local wild deer populations becoming infected by contact with farmed deer and then spreading infection to other deer farms in the area.
Although CWD does not appear to be present in Australian deer,local deer farm- ers do need to be vigilant for the signs of CWD above in their deer, particularly elk as the progeny of Canadian elk have been introduced into Australia via New Zealand.
New RIRDC Board appointedThe Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Judith Troeth,has announced membership details of the new RIRDC Board.
Dr Mike Taverner, Mr Steve Marshall,Mr Robert Boshammer and Mr Barry Buffier will join Prof.Robert Clark, and Ms Helen Cameron.The new government member of the Board is Mr David Mortimer.
The new RIRDC Board comprises:
• Professor Beth Woods ((Chair)-continu- ing member •Professor Robert.J.Clark – continuing member •Ms Helen Cameron – continuing member •Dr Mike Taverner — a technical consult-- ant in the area of rural industry research, with a strong background in public and private sector R&D.And,as Chairman of the Egg and Chicken Meat Advisory Boards for RIRDC,Dr Taverner has a strong scientific background and a good understanding of corporate governance matters; • Mr Steve Marshall — a consultant with a background in science and interna- tional food processing.He has also held a number of senior managerial roles, here and overseas,and has extensive experience in the areas of food technol- ogy and production; • Mr Robert Boshammer — a successful agricultural producer from northern Western Australia.He brings to the Board great initiative,drive and an innovative,creative approach to busi- ness; • Mr Barry Buffier — a consultant with a long and distinguished career in the financial sector, specialising in rural agribusiness. He brings extensive economic and scientific experience to the Board, and will also be able to provide expert advice and guidance on a range of rural sector matters; and • Mr David Mortimer – a Senior Executive with the Department of Agriculture,Fisheries and Forestry. He currently has responsibility for broad food industry matters and has extensive experience and skills in government policy processes and public administra- tion.
Red Deer Calf Performance after Early WeaningThe present small size of the Australian deer industry constrains the establishment of dedicated deer processing facilities and research and extension services. For this reason it is important to increase the size of the national deer herd.
Reliable feeding management options will help the industry to expand deer numbers.
Early weaning and artificial rearing is an intensive feeding system which could give deer farmers additional control over their enterprise.It should be useful in normal management,because rapid weaner growth gives more flexibility to meet sea- sonal demands for venison.It may help to reduce predation and mismothering.It is especially relevant to the management of deer herds in droughts.
Red deer hinds naturally wean their calves at three to four months. There are limited reports of the performance of red deer calves weaned at two or more months,and of the performance as yearlings and adults of calves which have been given harsher than normal nutritional treatment during their weaner life. However,there have been no studies to determine if very early weaning (earlier than 2 months) is feasible or if it has permanent effects on mature animals.Further,none of these studies has been done under Australian conditions.
This publication reports an investigation into the effects of the artificial rearing of early-weaned female red deer (Cervus elaphus )calves.Calves were weaned at either seven or nine weeks of age, and their immediate responses to early weaning, i.e.their acceptance and consumption of solid food, occurrence of ill-health (such as diarrhoea,dehydration,and laminitis), their growth during the period of artificial rearing and throughout the subsequent year,and their abilities to digest solid food constituents, were monitored.
They were held in pairs in small pens and were given as much as they would eat of a good quality lucerne hay and a pelleted concentrate. These ingredients were fed in separate containers. Animals of both ages grew at approximately the same rate, but the younger calves were smaller at the end of the experiment in March. This reflected their differing liveweights at the start of the experiment. After nine months of grazing, through a typically dry Queensland winter and the following spring, the liveweights of the two groups were similar.
The calves tolerated well the intensive management during the artificial rearing period. They 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) weaning at seven weeks is feasible,if a high-quality wean- ing ration is used, (2)early-weaned calves will show the effects of a growth check at weaning, and may be smaller than their normally-weaned counterparts for several months, (3) these effects will be largely overcome during the next season of good pasture growth (e.g.summer in Queensland).
Performance of Red Deer Calves after Early Weaning by G.McL.Dryden 2002,21 pp, RIRDC Publication No 02/010:$10
New velvet antler and venison co-product manual
A new grading manual for velvet antler is currently being printed and should be available to deer farmers by early September, well in advance of the coming velvet harvesting season.
While the profitability of New Zealand ’s farmed deer industry – the world ’s biggest – is based on the sale of venison and velvet antler, it also obtains a significant boost to returns from the sale of value-added velvet and venison co-products.
Asians involved in the production,processing, marketing and use of traditional Chinese medicines are increasingly broadening their search for new sources of both raw materials and processed products. Australia is not yet a well-recognised supplier of such goods to Asian markets for traditional Chinese medicine products.
The velvet antler and venison co-products specification manual will enhance the Australian deer industry’s commitment to Quality Assurance, promote the industry as a supplier of quality products and provide a basis for confident market development.
Six hundred copies have been produced in English and 200 each in the Mandarin Chinese and Korean languages for distribution to velvet buyers.
Deer farmers will be able to obtain copies of the manual through RIRDC and the DIAA Bookshop.
A more detailed review of the manual will be included in the next newsletter.
Velvet Antler and Venison Co-products Language and Specifications Guide by C Tuckwell (2002,64pp,Pub No.02/080)
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