Wilkins Farming

Through recording it is easier to mate the right hind to the right stag for specific goals. We are currently establishing Breed values and DNA profiles of our animals to enhance the accuracy of our monitoring.

Our main focus is breeding an animal that will be an efficient breeder of venison. To do this you need to have the right genetics and feed.

Approximately 90 % of our herd has a breeding focus on the following five principles:

1. A Red hind herd should have an average adult body weight of 110 to 120 kgs, creating satisfactory breeding efficiency.

2. Once this has been achieved you are on the front foot to getting this progeny to the high value early spring market. To achieve this market it is also important to select on the growth rate from weaning to 100kgs.

3. High carcass yield and high value meat cuts, breeding a higher value animal.

4. Temperament, fertility and calving date all play a part in having a successful breeding programme.

5. Strong velvet and trophy genetic base means these stags will still perform well beyond the venison market. The balance of our herd is still selected especially to breed trophy deer that are velveted until they reach their breeding potential. Then trophy value is realised, adding residual value to the sire when it comes to the end of its breeding worth.

We are using a wide range of genetics to achieve these goals, enabling us to have a large number of options for cross breeding. The genetics being sourced, we believe, are the best available in the world that we can access for the specific traits we are breeding for.

Wilkins Farming have kept pure German (Festl), Hungarian and latterly Romanian, as well as Eastern European bloodlines. Alongside this we are breeding European composite stags for the market.

In relation to point 3 we are developing useful information, since 2003 we have been on farm measuring of carcass loin for meat quality traits. With the help of our support team we have developed some methods that we are accurately testing eye muscle area (EMA) of a live deer. We have also made use of the Vio-scan services for meat yield at Invermay in Mosgiel, to add value to our breeding programme to further enhance carcass value