Southern Farm Bought For Elite Deer Programme

NEWS RELEASE

Southern Farm Bought For Elite Deer Programme

For Release: 18 July 2005

A high quality Southland deer farm carefully farmed by two generations of the same family since the 1940s has been bought by the Deer Improvement group following a nationwide search to establish an elite deer herd to further a genetic improvement programme.

Deer Improvement was established by Livestock Improvement Corporation with a vision to dramatically raise the rate of genetic gain in the venison industry.

Harcourts Gore Manager, Lloyd Anderson said the 390 hectare (965 acre) Balfour farm had an excellent balance of flat and hill land along with high quality deer fencing and attracted strong buying interest from 22 parties.

Mr Anderson added that following an extensive marketing programme, he wasn’t surprised at the level of interest as “it is becoming increasingly difficult to find property of this calibre and size”, which in this case was also very well presented by the vendors.

Deer Improvement Director Peter Gatley said the farm was a close match with the company's criteria. "We need capacity for a good number of hinds to provide the genetic base and the selection intensity to drive genetic gain. This country will enable our animals to express their genetic potential, and the layout of the property, the deer handling facilities, shelter and housing are hard to fault". Deer Improvement takes possession of the farm on 1 August.

The property was marketed by Lloyd Anderson and Daryl Meikle from Harcourts Gore.

ENDS

© Scoop Media