Abstract

Reproduction and growth intersect during lactation. Lactation is the period when the initial productivity of the calf is expressed and much ofthe potential production efficiency is set. Examples of recent advances in our understanding of productivity systems in deer farming are summarised. Experimentation in lactation has highlighted new information that can improve on-farm production. Recent research has given an understanding of the lactational outputs of the hind rearing either a red or F1 wapiti crossbred calf. Further experimentation has examined the role of protein and energy in determining calf growth. Other research has quantified both hind and calf intake and live weight change during late lactation. The impacts of these developments are discussed.

DR, Stevens, GW Asher, JA Archer, IC Scott, JF Ward, KT O'Neill, and ID Corson

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 67, Wanaka, 78-81, 2007