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Research Uptake by Deer Farmers pilot program by Gaye Cameron
May 2005
RIRDC Publication No 05/127 RIRDC Project No CAM-1A
The “Profit Program” encouraged deer farmers to join discussion groups. The dairy industry and more recently the sheep and beef industries have found that discussion groups have resulted in the biggest gains in production and profit for producers. The group provides a forum to introduce new research findings and profitable management ideas. At the same time providing practical advice on how these research findings and new ideas can be put into practice on the farm. The most important function of the group is the support and encouragement of members to fellow farmers. This support and encouragement is important if we expect farmers to make changes and to implement some of the practices beneficial to their profitability.
The Gippsland Discussion Group was formed in October 2002. There was a discussion group in this area some years ago but had been in recess for a number of years. The area is home to a large concentration of deer and deer farmers. The enterprises range from breeding hinds to velvet stags. The size of farms and range of experience varied greatly, this was used to advantage in the group as the program progressed. The Western District Discussion Group was a functioning group meeting regularly on farms. This group was agreeable to being part of the “profit program” as they new the benefit of the group support and could see the advantage of having more research information presented to the members. This group also had a range in experience and farm size but a limiting factor for this group was the distances between farms, up to five hours drive between members.
The program was delivered to the farmers on members farms. The advantage of being on a farm made it possible to give practical demonstrations, inspect infrastructure, pasture walks and discuss the management of the enterprise. The host farmer often benefited from the discussion and suggestions from the group as everyone had an opinion or experience to share. Visiting members often commented on good ideas presented on the day and some of the tips on design of the facilities and management methods the host farmer was using.
The meeting was based on a simple format of sharing information and experiences, each member gave a short talk on what was happening on their farm or a problem they had encountered. This talk was a reflection of what was happening on the farms as the seasons changed and the deer husbandry went through its annual cycle. Members gave a short report on the pasture cover on the property, the deer condition score, the weaner weights as they progressed and deer husbandry issues as they arose.
These reports became more sophisticated as members became familiar with the units for describing the quantity of pasture and the condition score of animals. More of the members started to look at the feed value of the supplements they were using and the price of the unit of energy they were buying. Each meeting some new research information was introduced either by a presentation or on a pasture walk and notes to read at home. It did not matter which topic we covered one of the members had had previous experience or a practical application to share As well as the discussion groups which were mostly focused on production issues group members were encouraged to participate in a short course called “BizCheck® for meat”. The three day course analyses farm business data to assess the profitability of the business. Figures from the tax return and physical farm facts were collected and this data was entered in the business analysis program. As well as the farmer being able to look at his own performance the figures were analysed as a group to give a bench mark for the group. This then enabled the farmer to see how he was performing in comparison to the group. Another benefit we found was the comparison with other grazing industries for example beef and sheep. Although the sample is small we do have some bench marks for the deer industry.
The pasture program followed the principles and activities outlined in the Prograze® for Victoria program. This is a program that introduces glossary of terms and explanation of units this allows farmers to access more information in order to make better management decisions.
They are able to read reports and articles with more understanding even the ‘Weekly Times’ newspaper reports have adopted these terms and units. The practical application of the program over a full year followed the pasture growth and changes in quality and quantity. The fact that pasture is not available all year led to the discussions on management to have pasture for longer into these gaps and also what we should do to conserve access pasture or provide supplements.
Quality and price of supplements was an important issue.
The deer production part of the program introduced a range of terms and units for farmers to understand research articles and reports. The communication between farmers and processors will be much improved if we are all using the same language. Producers are aware of the carcase specifications and why they are so important for the processor. Dressing percentage is important as this is the point were animals become carcases. Guy Dockrill assisted the program with presentations on condition scoring and dressing percentages.
The discussion group members were very positive about the value of the program. Some skills had been put into practice immediately. Unfortunately this did not improve profitability this year as prices are low. This program will benefit producers in the years to come and the industry as a whole.
The members are enthusiastic about the value of the program. They have received valuable information and training. They are particularly grateful for the fact that the program was funded by RIRDC. Discussion group members are very keen to continue the program in some form preferably face to face, on farm and with a trained member or consultant.
 
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