| 23 Strong interest in this offering expected Robert Hay’s details are 763 4-8 IOA 67 points 20.71kg hard antler at 6 years. Karen Phelps Manager of Foveran Deer Park, Barry Gard, is anticipating strong interest in this year’s offering of approximately 50 stags at the stud’s 2026 annual sale. “We’re expecting a very good selection of stags from top industry sires including Bombay Sapphire and Ferdinand Hennessey,” says Barry. “We have done an embryo programme here for over 35 years, so there is over 35 years of breeding in the animals that will be on offer.” The sale, held on the 2,646 hectare Hakataramea Valley property, has evolved into a hybrid event utilising the Bidr platform alongside traditional on-farm bidding. “People used to be hesitant to bid online but since the pandemic that’s changed,” says Barry. “Some people, if they don’t want to travel to the auction, talk to the agent on the phone on the day and there is a video running so they can see the animal, so some people are happy to just bid online, and in some instances our highest-priced stag has been purchased online.” Foveran was founded as a sheep station in the 1920s. Bob and Jen Robertson purchased the farm in 1982 and the deer farm had its humble beginnings with the purchase of 150 Red hinds. The deer stud is now owned by Bob’s company Infinity Investment Group. The stud’s bloodlines trace back to the Schulte Wrede herd from Glaadt Park, Germany, combined with elite English genetics from Warnham and Woburn estates. Barry says this composite breeding programme has produced exceptional animals including record-holders that have featured in Safari Club International World Records. “The continued improvement of our trophy herd is rewarding us with some massive red deer trophy DEER » Foveran Deer Park antler heads with long tyned heavy wide ‘wow’ type configurations. Our German herd strategically crossed with European and English genetics has given us the opportunity to do that.” Most stags in the January sale are offered as three-year-olds, primarily destined for breeding programmes where clients aim to produce trophy animals. However other deer studs also compete for the genetics and some buyers seek older stags for trophy parks. A complementary part of the business is a hunting company called New Zealand Trophy Hunting, which has been going since the eighties. Barry says it’s a good testing ground for the stud’s genetics. “The trophy hunting industry has been buoyant following the COVID-19 disruption. Border closures eliminated international hunters for two years but the silver lining was that this hiatus allowed exceptional stags to mature, creating both opportunities and pricing pressures,” he says. SALEDATE: Friday 5 December - Ranfurly 3 Usk St, Oamaru 9400 | www.nops.co.nz | 03 434 7766 YOU NEED THE BEST. TO LOOK AFTER THE BEST. When it comes to the transport of stud livestock you can’t go past Downlands Deer and Studstock. During the past 40 years, we have pioneered the way in studstock transportation with purpose built trucks, calm expert livestock handlers, efficient nationwide transport routing and now with visual tracking from pick up to delivery. Talk to Downlands Deer and Studstock today to ensure your livestock arrives in the best condition possible. t Breeding the difference ALL ENQUIRIES: BARRY GARD 021 222 8964 bgard@foverandeerpark.co.nz foverandeerpark.co.nz 43RD ANNUAL ELITE SIRE STAG SALE 8TH JANUARY ĂĀĂć @ 12 NOON Foveran Deer Park’s breeding programme focuses on three key traits: venison growth rates, velvet production and trophy antler development. Recent genetic improvements mean trophyquality stags can now be achieved earlier than previously possible. “We are finding with the new genetics we can get shootable trophy stags at five years old,” says Barry. Those attending the sale will see the results of Foveran’s comprehensive breeding programme, which includes approximately 1,500 recorded red deer with sixth-generation pedigrees. The stud maintains detailed statistical records and its annual embryo transfer programmes utilise the best genetics sourced throughout New Zealand.
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