Deer-herd health and production profiling in New Zealand. I. Study design.

A 2-year observational study was conducted on 15 commercial red-deer farms in the North Island of New Zealand, to provide health and production data, and identify risk factors for outcomes including health, reproduction, venison and velvet antler production. About 2,700 hinds, 2,400 weaner deer and 1,500 stags were monitored. Daily management practices, deer performance and health problems were recorded. At 3-monthly visits, samples were collected from deer, pastures and soils. Data were processed by multivariable statistical techniques to identify the most important factors affecting production and health.