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Story: Deer and deer farming

Pasture supply and demand

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Pasture supply and demand

Pasture production typically peaks in spring, then declines through summer and autumn and reaches a mid-winter low. Hinds’ and fawns’ demand for feed is more constant, although it also reaches a peak in late spring or early summer. The surplus pasture in spring must be converted into hay or silage, to cover the shortage in winter.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: Alistair Nicol, ‘Pastures and forages for deer growth.’ In The nutrition and management of deer on grazing systems, proceedings of a New Zealand Grassland Association (inc) symposium held at Lincoln University, 8–9 November 2002, edited by M. J. Casey. Wellington: New Zealand Grassland Association, 2003, p. 36.

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How to cite this page

Ken Drew, Deer and deer farming – Feeding, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/graph/15818/pasture-supply-and-demand (accessed 12 June 2026).

Story by Ken Drew, published 1 March 2009.