The Rural Voice, 1991-02, Page 25Steve spent two days at the farm
show in Toronto talking to Coldstream
personnel, and "I was hooked." One
of Coldstream's selling points is the
consulting service that is part of the
package. A company veterinarian and
other experts are readily available to
help design set-ups, and offer advice
on health, nutrition, handling, or any
other questions customers have.
The report he brought back also
"hooked" his father, who had closed
down his cash crop and feedlot op-
eration a few years previously. Steve
is half owner of the 15 hinds and one
stag bought in March 1990. Morrissey
senior persuaded six others to become
his partners in ownership of the rest.
The beef set-up was easily adapted
for the deer. As they are outdoor
animals needing only shelter from the
wind, a smaller pen was made out of
one large box stall. A deer yard was
fenced off to accommodate the herd
until spring. An 8.6 acre pasture will
be fenced off and ready by fawning
season.
The deer are fed straight hay, and a
ration of mixed grain, corn, and deer
concentrate. Steve figures each deer
eats two pounds of hay and two
pounds of ration daily. Labour
amounts to 10 minutes twice a day.
"These deer are a joy to look after.
The stag is as gentle as a lamb at any
time of year except the six-week
mating season starting in September,"
Steve comments.
Velvet, in demand for use in
Oriental medicine, is another by-
product of deer farming. Good quality
product fetches $75 a pound or more.
Other by-products for the same mark-
et are the tails, believed to contain
vital hormones, and the pizzles,
reputedly aids to virility. Skin,
sinews, and even teeth have buyers.
Four pounds of velvet antler were
removed from the three-year-old stag
in July. (Anywhere from 12 to 18
pounds of velvet can be removed from
a mature animal.)
Steve tackled this job with his
usual thoroughness. He first went
back to Coldstream to get some hands-
on experience. Accompanying him
was Dr. John Earl, a June grad from
OVC Guelph now associated with the
South Huron Veterinary Clinic in
COLDSTREAM DEER GROUP
• Red Deer Farming is fast becoming an exciting
altemative to present farming practices.
• VENISON - a low fat, low cholesterol, high protein Red Meat.
• Demands for Venison out -reach current supply.
• Good demand for other by-products.
• Coldstream Deer Group offers consultancy services
with purchase of Deer.
• Available, exposed hinds fawning the spring of 1991.
Visit with us and discuss Deer Farming at the Farm Equipment
Show, Toronto, Feb. 5 - 8/91, Hall 6, Booth 958.
R. R. 4, Coldwater
Ontario, LOK 1E0
Tel: 705-835-7514
Fax: 705-835-2829
AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
• Innovative design & construction
• Renovations & repairs to suit your needs
Our Foundations Are Satisfied Customers
HANOVER ONT. 364-3609
FEBRUARY 1991 21