About Deer Farming & Ranching

Farmed deer is North America's newest livestock, with the potential to boost a sagging agricultural economy without the use of subsidies or government incentives.

Non-native species of deer are excellent livestock with the capacity to efficiently convert pasture into healthy, lean meat. The deer most commonly farmed in the US and Canada include red, fallow, sika and axis. These breeds exhibit strong herding instincts, are efficient converters of forage and adapt well to the farm environment. Also, they are disease resistant when in close association.

Native Species fetch some of the highest prices of all existing hoofstock. Whitetail deer can be raised for genetic development, scent collection, or trophy stock. Producing whitetail deer as breeding or preserve stock allows the farmer to take advantage of the many opportunities reproductive technology presents.

Since deer naturally eat less than cattle and forage in a manner less devastating to the pasture, deer farming is up to three times as profitable as traditional livestock. Deer also mature early and will continue reproducing for up to 20 years. Indeed, deer farming takes very little acreage to produce a quality herd.

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