2026 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship. Apply by 17 August 2025. Read More...

Apply for 2026 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship by 17 August 2025. More details...

Dear ‘O’ Deer: psychological predisposition of an industry

Brian Russell

Executive Summary

The deer industry struggles to shake off the perception of being a young industry with growing pains. Product price volatility contributes to banks, farm advisors and the media being wary of promoting this relatively small industry.

The entrepreneurs who initially developed the industry are now retiring, exposing a lack of new and younger deer farmers.

Encouragement of a new generation of low risk taking and successful farmers is needed to stabilize and grow the industries perception, as being an attractive and viable farming alternative.

Brian Russell

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