...today's research to satisfy the markets of tomorrow. The New Zealand Society of Animal Production has been the major NZ forum for the presentation of research results on farmed animals including: sheep, cattle, dairy, deer and goats for over 50 year's. Over 520 farmers, farm advisors, veterinarians, scientists and university students are members of the Society.

2008 Contents page

BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Energy rather than protein content of hind intake determines growth rate of red deer calves

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I.C. SCOTT, J.A. ARCHER, G.W. ASHER, D.R. STEVENS, J.F. WARD, R.P. LITTLEJOHN and J.E. LACH

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 68: 45-46

Live weight gain of red deer within the first 3 to 4 months of their life plays a major part in determining the efficiency of venison production systems. Over this period young deer are largely dependant on their dam for nutrition. It is often difficult to achieve growth rates greater than 400 g/d in New Zealand because red deer lactation coincides with deteriorating pasture quality. However, calf growth rates of up to 700 g/day have been achieved over late lactation when

Keywords: NZSAPAB; red deer; lactation; protein; energy; growth rate

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Last modified: 2nd August 2008