52 | Increasing commercial venison production 3 year old Forresters. Russell Fredric RURAL PEOPLE » Peel Forest Estate New Zealand’s improving venison outlook is prompting Peel Forest Estate to re-balance its deer operation, increasing commercial venison production while refining the quality of its premium velvet. The South Canterbury stud has expanded its commercial hind numbers, replacing velveting stags with more venison animals as strong demand from the United States supports confidence in the sector. At the same time, changes to velvet grading standards are reinforcing the estate’s long-standing focus on producing the type of velvet international buyers want. Managing director Mark Tapley says Peel Forest Estate is optimistic about venison, particularly through its involvement in the Elk Collective, a group of around six South Island farms supplying elk-cross venison to First Light for the United States market. “We’re very optimistic about the venison market, particularly in the US. It’s growing rapidly, and they particularly like the elk meat because they associate elk with good eating quality. Venison is piggybacking off that, and it’s gaining a hell of a lot of traction as well.” Peel Forest Estate’s commercial herd stems from Forrester hinds developed within its stud programme before mating them to its B11 terminal sires. These are high growth rate composite elk, developed in the stud for sire’s offered to the New Zealand market as three year-olds, but using them as spikers and two year olds within their commercial mating system prior to being sold at three years, with the progeny sold into the United States elk market. Cultivation Ploughing Ripping & Discing Levelling Discing Grassland Subsoiler Cambridge Roller Bailing Mowing Raking Round Baling Square Baling Cartage Tube Wrapping Individual Wrapping Feed Trading OUR SERVICES Drilling Roller Drilling Direct Drilling Conventional Drilling - Vaderstad Spirit Maize Drilling Precision Drilling & Precision Direct Drilling (375, 500 & 750 mm spacing available) LEWIS Agri CONTACT US: Hamish 022 107 0081 - Email Hamish@lewisagri.com YOUR LOCAL CONTRACTING SPECIALISTS SERVICING THE MID CANTERBURY / FOOTHILLS REGION PROUD TO SUPPORT PEEL FOREST ESTATE YOUR LOCAL SUPPLIERS OF: •Farm Fence Netting •Fence Posts •Tornado Gates •Strainers •General Timber & Hardware 168 Talbot St • Ph 03 6939397 • Cell 022 406 8180 • E: jason@geraldineitm.co.nz
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