A Typical Year at DGNZ
Farming, breeding and selection across the seasons
Summer
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Annual deer sales take place in December and January.
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Fawns are tagged and DNA tested.
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Young stock are monitored and assessed as they develop, with promising animals identified for future breeding.
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Growing stags are assessed as their antlers develop.
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Velvet is removed from stags as part of the annual velvet programme.
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Trophy stags are assessed and selected for breeding and future sales.
Summer is one of the busiest times
Autumn
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Stags enter the roar and are joined with selected hinds.
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Semen is collected from selected sires.
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Artificial insemination (AI) takes place.
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Embryo transfer (ET) programmes get underway.
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Embryos are collected, frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen.
As summer winds down, the focus shifts to the roar and next breeding cycle
Winter
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Stock are managed through the winter period, including supplementary feeding where required.
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Pregnancy scanning takes place following the roar.
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Stock movements and paddock management continue.
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Winter crops and stored feed are utilised as required.
A time for feeding, stock management and preparing for the season ahead.
Spring
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Hinds begin fawning.
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Fawns are monitored, tagged and DNA tested.
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Young stags are assessed as they develop.
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Velvet growth begins and growing stags are monitored.
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Pasture and crop growth provide the feed base for the season ahead.
The start of a new generation on the farm.
From Farm to Future Genetics
