When Trade Minister Tim Groser recently described deer velvet as an aphrodisiac, the deer industry was not impressed.
It said Mr Groser’s comments were not helpful and had done the sector no favours.
By Benedict Collings, Radio New Zealand News
Author: Website Admin
Large scale Waikato deer development takes off [NZ]
In one of the remotest areas in south west Waikato north of Oparau, one of the largest deer farm developments in recent years is in full swing.
By Gerald Piddock, stuff.co.nz
New Zealand signs free trade deal with South Korea [NZ]
New Zealand has signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea that cut duties by $65 million in its first year.
Trade Minister Tim Groser, in Seoul to sign the deal, said New Zealand paid $229m a year in duties on the goods it sold to South Korea.
By Gerard Hutching, stuff.co.nz
Deer industry signs with Korean Ginseng Co [NZ]
The deer industry may have missed out on getting the bulk of its deer antler exports to South Korea included in the free trade agreement signed this week.
But it is taking other steps to increase the value and demand of the deer velvet trade to its oldest and still most significant market.
By Radio New Zealand News.
Velvet prices give deer farmers warm fuzzies [NZ]
Velvet prices mean deer farms are ahead of dairy on earnings, a Manawatu deer farmer says.
Craig Hocken has several hundred deer at his Colyton farm, and said rising velvet prices had meant a steady increase in income.
By Jill Galloway, stuff.co.nz
Velvet is the winning ticket [NZ]
Deer farmers who specialise in velvet production are on a winning ticket at the moment.
Prices for the antler product, used in Asian traditional medicines, have lifted by about 25 percent on a year ago, continuing what is believed to be an unprecedented six-year run of rising prices.
Radio New Zealand News, radionz.co.nz
Dollar has hit venison but velvet strong
Deer industry trying to improve sector profitability by developing new markets.
The New Zealand dollar’s record-breaking run against the long-suffering euro has hit the local venison market hard because of its high exposure to Europe, but strong deer velvet prices have provided a partial offset for farmers.
By Jamie Gray, nzherald.co.nz
The Sheep Deer and Cattle Report: Good half year for PGGW, but will the full year be affected by the dry? [NZ]
Deer
Another small reduction in venison schedules this week reflecting the weak Euro currency, but exporters are reporting frozen sales ahead of last year and growth in new markets outside Germany.
By Tony Chaston, interest.co.nz
Learning experience for Southland deer farmers
Dipton deer farmer Brian Russell is at the top of his game.
But, he’s the first to admit he’s still got a “bit to learn” on his family-owned property The Rock.
Brian and his wife Kristine are large scale deer farmers farming two properties comprising more than 2100 hectares in Northern and Central Southland.
By Diane Bishop, stuff.co.nz
Industry initiative viewed as a milestone [NZ]
A $16 million, seven year programme in the deer industry has been described as being a ”game changer” in the production and marketing of venison.
By Sally Rae, odt.co.nz