Deer
 Deer Improvement is a subsidiary of LIC established in 2003. The purpose of the business is to apply the science of quantitative genetics and reproductive technologies to deer, utilising the capability developed by LIC over many years in the dairy industry.
The primary focus of Deer Improvement is venision production systems and the traits of interest include growth rate to 12 months of age, temperament and carcass yield. A nucleus herd of elite red deer breeding hinds has been established near Balfour in Southland and a team of stags is used as a team for AI in commercial herds across the country.
Deer are highly seasonal breeders and most calve during November. The highest prices are paid for venison during the spring when chilled product is shipped to Europe, so there are enormous benefits in being able to grow animals to slaughter weight prior to the new crop of fawns arriving. Not only is the price per kilogram at its peak, feed utilisation is improved through reduced maintenance requirements, and competition for feed is eliminated due to animals being removed from the property before the hinds begin rearing the next generation.
 Deer Improvement aims to remove any genetic barrier to achieving killable weights in time for spring, and has adopted the goal established several years ago by the deer industry - "100 kg weaners before winter". Although the current prices paid prior to spring are not high, the industry market objectives involve spreading demand over a greater period and it is anticipated that in future farmers will have the opportunity to quit some of their animals before the winter feed pinch is felt. This has huge positive implications for the carrying capacity of deer farms in some regions.
Having completed four mating seasons, Deer Improvement has established a solid foundation and is expected to make an enormous contribution to the success of the New Zealand deer industry well into the future. Some key milestones and current research projects are outlined below:
The Deer Improvement Balfour Research Farm is now well established with facilities for semen collection and a laboratory for semen processing and embryo transfer work.
Strict biosecurity protocols are in place and involve a Quarantine block and an Isolation block, double-fenced boundaries, vehicle wash-down facility, contract pest control, and continuous disease testing.
An oestrous synchrony device is being developed specially for deer (the current device was developed and registered only for sheep and goats).
Technicians are "hand picked" from the LIC and highly experienced in dairy before training on deer. Most of the current team have completed four mating seasons and are among the most experienced deer AI Technicians in the world.
The genetic programme is run by Jake Chardon who has a lifetime's experience in quantitative genetics and the success of his programme is seen in Deer Improvement's presence on the industry's list for venison growth rate where the company already has 9 of the Top 20 stags.
 The ET programme is run under the management of veterinarian Dr Mike Bringans and is achieving results unmatched anywhere else.
A project is underway to develop a Breeding Value for Temperament.
Early AI trials have already confirmed the potential to bring forward mating dates for the purpose of calving in synch with feed availability and also to spread the AI workload which was previously carried out over a period of only three weeks.
Deer Improvement's latest crop of top growth-rate stags have been CT scanned to generate BVs for carcass traits and these are available to assist those who are positioning themselves for a future where payments are based on value provided.
A team of velvet and trophy stags has been assembled to enable farmers breeding for these traits to access elite genetics at realistic commercial prices
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