Projects

Aim: George and Laura are keen to improve the genetic worth of the Te Maire hinds by identifying top performers within the herd
- the current policy of casting hinds for age means that some well performed hinds will be culled “early”. 

George and Laura started pairing deer last summer. Ideally they would like to run fewer hinds but with a greater and proven genetic worth.

Method: By using a spotting scope they were able to bring deer into the yards (for better viewing) and in a short space of time the fawns settled and 85% were successfully paired first attempt.

Outcome: Spotting can be succesful on a extensive farm. By brining the stock closer to the shed it allowed for a better viewing of paired animals and enabled the better performing animals to be identified and likewise the small fawn producing hinds to be removed. With EID this information will streamline the data input gathered from this activity and assist in speeding up the genetic gains in the herd 

Next actions:

Their next step is to meet with their advance party and Sharon McIntyre as soon as practically possible to discuss:

• Getting DNA profiles for older sires- is it possible if they are no longer alive?
• Cost of DNA or SNP testing
• Cost of DeerSelect
• Expected accuracy for pairings, and what makes it easier/cheaper/more accurate?
• Emphasis has been on velvet but what are the expected gains from using the same pairing data for venison production improvement for either commercial or stud purposes
• What is possible with “retrospective” testing? Is it worth profiling top existing velvet stags to speed up the selection process by identifying their dams or sisters?