| 3 RURAL PEOPLE » Brock Deer Brock Deer’s top quality three year old stags Breeding gain can be seen in the quality and quantity of the velvet taken. Pictured is trophy sire - Dutton 642 IOA 4 years old. Sue Russell Just 15 minutes north of Gore is 500ha Brock Deer Farm and Stud stretching over one block of 400ha with the balance 15 minutes away. It’s been a good 18 months since Rural South last spoke with Elliot Brock, who owns the farm in partnership with his parents, Eddie and Bronwyn, and is responsible for its management, along with partner Anna Hodges. Eddie’s keen interest and attention to researching deer genetics has resulted in top quality three year old stags and stud hinds, put up for sale at the farm each year in January. Along with the approximately 30 stud stags and 30 yearling hinds sold then, another online BIDR sale is helped in August where in-calf hinds and weaner stags are auctioned. This year, there’s been a slump in the value of velvet from previous years, due, Eddie says, to an over-supply situation in the market. “We’d be down about 10% on value this year but thankfully the venison market is in a good situation, fetching currently over $10 per kilo.” The farm is home to 2000 stags, 800 hinds and 750 yearlings and Elliot says he’s pleased with the condition, already planning what will be presented in January’s sale. “I can pick out the best 10 already. You just get a good sense about an animals presentation quite early on, but final decisions won’t be made until nearer the time.” Velvet production continues to increase. Last year for the first time 15 tonne was taken off, with two year olds averaging over 5kg. “In 2002 that figure was 1.8kg so we’ve made incredible gains through a combination of genetics and on-farm practices,” Eddie says. At age 7 and 8, stags are sold privately to the hunting parks and Eddie has a couple of regular clients he supplies. Velvet is sold to China and Korea where it is highly valued for its medicinal qualities. Marketing is conducted through DINZ (Deer Industry of New Zealand). Harvest on farm begins Labour Weekend, and continues to the end of January. Strict rules apply to the harvesting process to ensure animal welfare is the highest priority. Breeding gain can be seen in the quality and quantity of the velvet taken off and gives a clear indication that breeding decisions are the right ones, something Elliot says he enjoys measuring at each harvest season. Visits to China, the last couple of years, have helped Elliot and Anna complete the picture of what becomes of the velvet there. “It’s a massive industry, with lots of value-add happening, as the raw velvet is processed into all sorts of end-products for the demanding consumer market. It was great to see the processing factories in action.” Along with deer, Valais Blacknose sheep, owned by Elliot’s sister Charlotte, are still running around. Elliot says after sale, a lot of his deer head up to the North Island, introducing new genetics to strengthen commercial deer farming operations. “Between the venison and velvet I’m pleased with what we’ve achieved. We’re fully stocked after 12 years of continual expansion and I enjoy looking forward to what each season brings.” 25th Elite Sire Stag & Yearling Hind Sale Lazarus – 13kg @ 5yrs 2024 Rising Stars Peoples Choice Webster – 7.2kg @ 2yrs 2024 Rising Stars Champion Ultra – 15.5kg @ 5yrs First 2yr Sons 2025 Effen – 11.8kg @ 5yrs 2023 NZ Supreme Velvet Champ Sunday 11th January 2026, 5pm Viewing 3.30pm Sires Represented: The Emperor, Keystone, Tsingtao, Amigo Eddie Brock 027 6076822 | Elliot Brock 027 2776733 | Facebook: Brock Deer 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. 03 208 9240 emma.hewitson@ocr.co.nz www.ocr.co.nz O’Connor Richmond Chartered Accountancy Practice is proud of its long and rich history with business and agricultural commerce in the South. the full suite of Business Advisory and Taxation services. Emma Hewitson C.A, B.Com, DipGrad Director Pleased to support Brock Deer “I can pick out the best 10 already. You just get a good sense about an animals presentation.”
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