Deer gas won't cost farmers dear, tests show

By LIAM DANN

Not only are the likes of Bambi and Rudolph cute, a Massey University trial has found they are also environmentally friendly because deer are half as flatulent as sheep or cows.

The finding that they produce 50 per cent less gas is well timed for deer farmers, soon to be hit by the Government's new levy on farm animal gas emission.

Dr Simone Hoskin, a Massey animal nutrition expert, said the results were the first accurate measurements of deer emissions in this country. Previous estimates were based on the model used for dairy cows and were far higher, she said.

The trials were done in March and May by one of Hoskin's masters students in conjunction with AgResearch. The May results were still being collated but the March findings were "pretty conclusive", she said.

In light of the Government's plans this was good news for the sector, said Hoskin.

"It's very important for deer farmers. If they can pay half as much I'm sure they'll be thrilled."

Deer Industry Association chief executive M.J. Loza said he understood MAF would take the results on board in setting its charges for deer farmers.

Based on the number of animals in the country, deer would be levied at about 15c a head. If the levy was based on the annual kill it would be more like 50c, he said.

Loza stopped short of calling the results good news. The deer industry was opposed to being charged any levy at all, he said. The Kyoto Protocol was ratified on behalf of all New Zealanders and the Government should fund research as a public good.


The report:
Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2002