Business Rural Autumn 2021

| 65 Foveran Deer Park DEER » Foveran Deer Park / Top Deck Deer Photos: Rising star – Robert Hay a three-year-old sire (top) and one and two year old stags and future breeding sires at Foveran Deer Park near Kurow. Genomic testing for fallow deer ‘exciting’ Richard Loader T o p Deck Deer is using the new genomic testing for fallow deer being offered by GenomNZ to drive genetic gains in its herd. As fallow deer are genetically different to red or elk, GenomNZ has just developed a separate analysis for fallow deer parentage. Top Deck Deer owners Tony and Michelle Roberts believe it will have huge benefits for their business. “Previously the only option was to get out in the paddock and watch the mothers and fawns to team them up. But it wasn’t always accurate as sometimes deer will mother a fawn that is not their own. This new genomic testing will be faster and more accurate. We’ve been wanting this tech- nology for years so it’s very exciting,” says Tony. They have just profiled their sire stags and plan to follow on with the fawns and yearlings. They will now be able to performance test the progeny to select the superior animals and cull out the under performers. Top Deck Deer runs about 190 fallow does and about 240 fallow bucks , which form the trophy deer business. The Roberts have operated this fal- low deer operation for some time but the velveting business is newer and they run around 150 red hinds, 90 red fawns and 300 red stags for the velveting operation. • to page 66 “Previously the only option was to get out in the paddock and watch the mothers and fawns to team them up. But it wasn’t always accurate as sometimes deer will mother a fawn that is not their own. This new genomic testing will be faster and more accurate.” Fellow bucks in the paddock at Tony and Michelle Roberts’ Top Deck Deer. u s www.r raltran port.co.nz • Stock Cartage • General Freight • Fertiliser Spreading • Bulk Cartage • Hiab Hire Ashburton (03) 308 4079 Waimate (03) 689 6100 Kurow (03) 436 0849 Fairlie (03) 685 8911 T R A N S P O R T L T D SHAE JOHNSTONE DRAINAGE AND EARTHMOVING PH: 027 810 1818 | shaejohnstone@outlook.co.nz Willy 0276309032 A/H 03-2076879 Email maitlandcontractingltd@gmail.com ADVERTISING IS GREAT FOR BUSINESS! Get new clients with regular print media Phone: 03 983 5500 Fax: 03 983 5552 waterfordpress.co.nz