Following the success of the Introduction to Deer Farming day at Innerhadden Deer Farm in July, the Venison Advisory Service (VAS) and leading Rural Chartered Surveyors Bell Ingram, have teamed up again to stage a second event on Scottish Venison Day, 4 September, this time at Culligran Estate, near Beauly.
The demonstration day will provide the opportunity to hear at first hand from professionals and experts in deer farming, on subjects including herd management and stocking, deer health, fencing and equipment requirements, finance and land management.
The Beauly day, for which bookings are now being accepted, takes place at Culligran Estate, Glen Strathfarrar. Speakers will include Malcolm Taylor and Mark Mitchell of Bell Ingram, Alan Sneddon and John Fletcher of VAS, Frank Spencer-Nairn of Culligran Estate, and Callum Thomson, Chairman of the British Deer Farms and Parks Association (BDFPA). A guided visit to the Culligran deer farm will follow in the afternoon.
Frank Spencer Nairn, Culligran Estate, says:
Culligran Deer Farm is a ‘mature’ deer farm dating from the early 1980s. We have a breeding herd of around 170 red deer hinds producing 145 calves a year. The majority are sold as 6 month old store calves for finishing with the best of the hind calves retained as replacements or for sale as breeding stock in the spring. New blood is provided by buying in or swapping breeding stags. It is designed to be a simple system which fits in with other enterprises on the estate such as sheep, stalking and tourism. The demo day is timed one week before our calves are weaned and housed.
Dick Playfair, Director, The Venison Advisory Service Ltd, says:
I am delighted that we are holding this event on Scottish Venison Day – these are exciting times for venison, both wild and farmed, as we look forward to a new strategy document for the sector that dovetails with Scotland Food and Drink’s Ambition 2030, and the easing of imports from New Zealand gives even greater opportunity for UK deer farmers to get involved.
Malcolm Taylor, Partner, Bell Ingram, says:
We are delighted to be involved with VAS and to help promote deer farming in Scotland, especially at such an opportune time for the sector. The first ‘Introduction to deer farming’ day was a great success and we hope to emulate that again at the event next month. It is especially fitting that it will be held on Scottish Venison Day. Deer farming provides a real opportunity for new entrants and existing farmers who are planning to diversify. As land managers, we are looking forward to being involved in developing new deer farms across Scotland where appropriate. As AMC agents there can be funding available provided the normal criteria are met.
Places for the Introduction to Deer Farming day at Culligran are limited and available on a ‘first come’ basis. To reserve a place and for further details to be advised ahead of the event contact Charlotte Gilfillan at Bell Ingram, Tel: 01307 462516 E: charlotte.gilfillan@bellingram.co.uk
More about Bell-Ingram here: www.bellingram.co.uk
More about the Venison Advisory Service here: www.venisonadvisory.co.uk
The latest information about the UK venison market is on the Scottish Venison Partnership website.