While productivity on farm in the deer industry has improved, a question mark still hangs over the sector’s ability to get up to speed on sustainability and to connect better with policymakers.

The deer sector has joined a growing chorus of farming groups – and others – describing the Government’s targets for methane reductions as unrealistic.

A popular venison sandwich promotion by an American fast-food restaurant chain is partly why the New Zealand deer industry is in good heart.

Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) says strong sales of sire stags are being reported throughout the country.

Venison exporters and Deer Industry NZ (DINZ) are promoting new cuts to chefs to increase returns from the whole deer carcass and to help keep venison on restaurant menus.

Deer Industry New Zealand says the northern summer trial promotion of Cervena venison in the Netherlands went down well with chefs and their customers.