A Comparison of two Upland Systems of Management for a breeding herd of Red Deer

Abstract

A study was initiated to explore the possibility of farming red deer more intensively on upland sown pastures. It was recognised that economic viability would depend not only upon high levels of animal performance but also on low winter feed costs; the study was concerned essentially therefore In comparing two different wintering systems.Recognised that economic viability would depend not only upon high levels of animal performance but also on low winter feed costs; the study was concerned essentially therefore In comparing two different wintering systems.Two groups of 34 hinds each were kept on two systems of management which differed In two respects, for a period of two years. Both groups were grazed at 10 hinds per hectare on sown upland pasture from mid May; calving took place In late May and June. A proportion of the grazed area was used for conservation in the early summer. However, one group of hinds, System A, was mated (October) and then wintered on a heather dominant hill pasture of approximately 11 hectares. The second group of hinds, (System B), was mated on Its sown pasture area and then wintered in a small paddock where it was fed daily.Liveweight loss during the winter in both herds was controlled where necessary by feeding additional hay and concentrate as required to achieve a liveweight of 80.0 kg by the end of March.