4th July 2012

NZ Landcare Trust CEO Dr. Nick Edgar officially launched the 'New Zealand Deer Farmers Landcare Manual' at a recent deer industry conference. Edmund Noonan Chairman of NZ Deer Farmers’ Association took the opportunity to present a copy of the new manual to the Minister for Primary Industries David Carter. 

The first edition of the manual published in 2004 highlighted examples of best practice within the deer industry. The new 2012 edition maintains the the idea of best practice, using 6 new case studies but delves deeper... exploring soil and water protection, shelter, nutrient and waste management, biodiversity, land use capability and carbon. 

Dr. Edgar said the deer industry could show other sectors a win-win situation that combined sustainable production with improved productivity. “It is critical that deer farmers maintain freedom to operate – implementing best practice is a key way to do this.”

Dr Edgar continued, "the issues around water quality and nutrient leaching that put dairying under the spotlight also applied to deer farming. He said the Trust prefers not to tell farmers what to do, but to work with farming leaders who can show the way. He warned that generating a manual is only the beginning. The Landcare Trust was keen to help create a programme of adoption for the manual through one-on-one work, field days and workshops."

Funding for the new publication came through the Sustainable Farming Fund, along with support from DINZ, NZDFA, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Beef & Lamb New Zealand and NZ Landcare Trust - both in financial contributions and through provision of manual project manager, staff member Janet Gregory.

Janet Gregory, also chief judge for the 2012 Deer Farmers Environment Awards, said much of what is seen in the manual is seen in practice on the eight farms that entered this year’s biennial awards. The NZ Landcare Trust Award for Excellence in Sustainable Deer Farming went to Brian and Jacqui Wellington from Te Awamutu Station. They also won the Premier Elworthy Environment Award. 

Winning both the Elworthy Award and NZ Landcare Trust Award capped off a great year for the Wellingtons, who also won a significant award in the Waikato region of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, collecting both the Beef & Lamb NZ Livestock Farm Award and the Massey University Discovery Award. In addition they won the Fish & Game award for riparian management.

If you are interested in finding out more about the New Zealand Deer Farmers Landcare Manual you should contact Deer Industry New Zealand - please note supplies of the manual are limited. The person to contact is Producer Coordinator Amy Wills:

• 04 471 6110
• amy.wills@deernz.org