Farm Diversification

Recently the Scottish Venison Partnership report thet Scotland needs up to a further 500 deer farms in order to take advantage of the ever increasing demand for venison. They reported that between 2006 and 2009 UK demand for venison rose 34% to £43 million in 2009. However, The Guardian report that of the 3,500 tonnes of Scottish venison sold each year that only 50 tonnes come from farmed deer, with 1,000 tonnes coming from imports from New Zealand and Europe.

Calves sold at weaning, or yearlings sold at 14 -16 months (all yearlings tend to sold for venison as the market for breeding stock is extremely limited; the majority of farms operate a closed herd policy).  Consumption of venison across the UK has risen in recent years.  Marketing of venison tends to be carried out through cooperatives.  However, a number of producers sell produce direct to the consumer via farm shops, mail order and internet sales.  Direct marketing can increase the return by over £100 per head, although there are significant additional costs involved (provision of chill rooms, freezers, marketing costs etc).

Perimeter fencing of minimum height 1.90m high required. 
Internal fencing of height 1.6m required. 
Handling areas for holding animals and for veterinary treatments are required. 

Breeding hinds are usually wintered outside on hill outrun unless the farm is in a lowground area where the hinds may be in-wintered.

Stocking rate varies:

• 0.6 hinds/ha on hill land;
• 8 hinds/ha on improved pasture;
• 1 stag/20 - 30 hinds.

Average birth rate is about 92% with 85 calves per 100 hinds successfully reared.
It is expected that 7 hinds and 1 stag per 100 hind herd will need to be replaced annually.
Stag claves at sale would be expected to weigh 55kg whilst hinds will weigh approximately 40-45kg. 

Winter housing:

• hinds require 3-4square metres/head;
• fattening animals require 2-3 square metres/head.

Handling yards:
£3,000-5,000 upwards.

Boundary fencing:
£10/m.

Internal fencing:
£7/m.

Winter housing for calves
£40-50 upwards per square metre (assuming new build)

Breeding hinds:
£300 upwards (pedigree stock up to £800) with an expected herd life of 14 years;

Breeding stags:
£500 - £1200 with an expected herd life of 6 years. Suppliers of breeding stock can be sourced from the British Deer Farms and Parks Association

• Grassland management is an important element and costs vary depending on the grassland potential of the farm. Outwintered hinds are supplemented with silage, hay or other feeds such as swedes and turnips.
• Concentrates are used to supplement forage in the winter, pre-calving and during lactation. Levels range from 60-100kg concentrate/hind/annum at a price of £180-220/tonne, depending on forage quantity and quality.
• Vet & medicines: £3-5/head.
• Sundry other expenses (including slaughter and transport): £18-25/head.

It should also be noted that farm gate sales direct to consumers and caterers may increase the sale price substantially.

Sales

• Venison  (carcase) sales: 50kg @£3.75/kg: £187/finished animal
• Cull hind (assume 7 culls/year/100 hind herd):  £100/hind
• Cull Stag (assume 1 stag/year/100 hind herd): £70/stag

The harvesting of antler velvet from live animals is prohibited in the UK. Live wild deer can only be taken off the hill during the open season for stalking, which may constrain those wishing to establish a farmed herd from a wild population. There have been outbreaks of Tuberculosis in farmed deer. This is a notifiable disease and movement orders may be implemented and compulsory slaughter for reactors.

 Must adhere to various movements, tagging, welfare and disease legislation which can be found on Defra's website.

Contact the British Deer Farms and Parks Association or LANTRA

Through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-2013 funding is now available for rural businesses throughout Scotland for diversification and renewable energy projects. Specifically, support is delivered through Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities which was launched in April 2008. For further information about what support is available see the Section on Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities.