Deer Farming in Australia

Paragraph A

Deer are not indigenous to Australia. They were introduced into the country during the nineteenth century under the acclimatization programs governing the introduction of exotic species of animals and birds into Australia. Six species of deer were released at various locations. The animals dispersed and established wild populations at various locations across Australia, mostly depending upon their points of release into the wild. These animals formed the basis for the deer industry in Australia today

Commercial deer farming in Australia commenced in Vitoria in 1971 with the authorized capture of rusa deer from Royal National Park. Until 1985, only four species of deer, two from temperate climates (red, fallow) and two tropical species (rusa, chital) were confined for commercial farming. Late in 1985, pressure from industry to increase heard numbers saw the development of import protocols. This resulted in the introduction of large numbers of red deer hybrids from New Zealand and North American elk directly from Canada. The national farmed deer herd is now distributed throughout all states although most are in New South Wales and Vitoria

Paragraph B

The number of animals processed annually has continued to increase despite the downward trend in venison prices since 1997. Of concern is the apparent increase in the number of female animals processed and the number of whole herds committed for processing with more than 40,000 animals processed in 1998/99 and 60,000 in 1999/2000, there is justified concern that future years may see a dramatic drop in production. At least 85% of all venison produced is exported in an unprocessed state to Asia.

Scheme to promote Australian deer products continue to have positive effect on sales that in turn have a positive effect on prices paid to growers. The industry appears to be showing limited signs that it is emerging from a state of depression cause both internal and external factors that include: (i) the Asian currency downturn; (ii) the industry is lack of of competitive advantage in influential markets (particularly in respect to New Zealand competition) , and: (iii) within industry processing and marketing competition for limited product volumes of venison

Paragraph C

From the formation of the Australian Deer Breeders Federation in 1979, the industry representative body has evolved through the Deer Farmers Federation of Australia to the Deer Industry Association of Australia Ltd (DIAA), which was registered in 1995. The industry has established two product development and marketing companies, the Australian Deer Horn and Co-Products Pty Ltd (ADH) and the Deer Industry projects and Development Pty Ltd, which trades as the Deer Industry Company (DIC). ADH collects and markets Australian deer horn and co-products on behalf of Australian deer farmers. It promotes the harvest of velvet antler according to the strict quality assurance program promoted by the industry. The company also plans and co-ordinates regular velvet accreditation courses for Australian deer framers.

Pargraph D

Estimates suggest that until the early 1990s the rate of the annual increase in the number of farmed deer was up to 25%, but after 1993 this rate of increase fell to probably less than 10%. The main reasons for the decline in the deer herd growth rate at such a critical time for market were: (i) severe drought condition up to 1998 affecting eastern Australia during 1993-96 and (ii) the consequent slaughter of large numbers of breeding females, at very low prices. These factors combined to decrease confidence within the industry. Lack of confidence saw a drop in new investment within the industry and a lack of willingness of established farmers to expand their herds. With the development of strong overseas markets for venison and velvet and the prospect of better seasons ahead in 1996, the trends described were herd was seen to impose undesirable restraints on the rate at which herd numbers could be expanded to meet the demands for products.

Supply difficulties were exacerbated when the supply of products, particularly venison, was maintained by the slaughter of young breeding females. The net result depletion of the industry's female breeding herds

Paragraph E

Industry programs are funded by statutory levies on sales of animals for venison, velvet antler sales and the sale of live animals into export markets. The industry has a 1996-2000 five year plan including animal nutrition, pasture quality, carcass quality, antler harvesting promotional materiel and technical bulletins. All projects have generated a significant volume of information, which compliments similar work undertaken in New Zealand and other deer farming countries.

Major projects funded by levy funds include the Venison Market Project from 1992 to 1996. This initiative resulted in a dramatic increase in international demand for Australian venison and an increase in the domestic consumption of venison. In an effort to maintain existing venison markets in the short term and to increase them in the long term, in 1997 the industry's top priority became the increase in size and production capacity of the national herd.

Vocabulary

- deer : con hươu
- disperse: giải tán, phân tán, xua tan

- indigenous: = native: bản xứ, bản địa

- acclimatization:sự thích nghi khí hậu

- exotic: kỳ lạ, cực đẹp, ở nước ngoài đưa vào

- species: loài, giống

- commenced: sự khởi đầu, bắt đầu

- confined: xác nhận cho, giam hãm, giam cầm

- apparent: easy to see (rõ ràng, dễ nhận biết)

- emerging: đang phát triển, mới nổi (emerging countries: các nước phát triển)

- emerge: nổi lên, hiện lên, lòi ra

- depression: sự thụt, lõm, giảm

- annual: hàng năm (thường niên)

- slaughter: = skill (giết mổ, giết thịt)