Central Hawke’s Bay stud Forest Road Farm bringing in-fawn hinds to the market via New Zealand’s virtual saleyard. 

A fully online sale of high value capital velvet stock is a first for a Central Hawke’s Bay stud this month.

Farmers will have an unprecedented opportunity to access the deer through bidr at the upcoming Forest Road Farm, Tikokino in-fawn hind sale.

Up to 45 hinds will be offered, each bringing detailed BVs and proven pedigrees. Previously Forest Road Farm has sold hinds privately. This year, responding to persistent demand, their offer is via an exclusive bidr sale.

Grant Charteris owns Forest Road with his wife Sally. Grant has a firm focus on productivity and practicality, as he explains.

“While we strive to breed an animal that produces market desired velvet, production needs to be balanced with the right body type, constitution and temperament.”

PGG Wrightson Livestock deer stud coordinator Steve Annan says the quality of Forest Road Farm deer reflects the passion and drive of the Charteris family.

“Grant and Sally’s commitment is outstanding, which is fully evident in their hinds. Based on the genetic gains from their embryo transfer and AI programmes, these animals and the progeny they are carrying are at the top end and exemplify the quality of their breeding herd,” says Steve.

More than 20 years into managing a business his father Bruce started in the 1970s, Grant takes a strictly methodical approach to genetic improvement.

“Every animal we breed is DNA performance recorded, with all progeny tracked. We focus on EBVs for velvet and growth, collecting as much information as we can, therefore ensuring decisions are as easy as possible for us, and more importantly for our clients.”

Sticking to the core selection criteria of heavy beamed, clean and tidy velvet; big bodied sires; excellent temperament; and good constitution, Grant takes pride in producing versatile deer.

“These traits are all important to us as we deliver a production female with elite velvet genetics. Our deer have to be able to move to any farming environment around New Zealand and perform as well if not better than they do on our class six hill country.

“All the sires used with these hinds are competition winners, true representatives of market desire. Anyone at our sale is not just buying a well-bred hind, but also the next generation of progeny from our top end sires.”

Although velvet has had some recent challenges, Grant says the future is bright.

“As with any breeding programme, we are looking ahead five years, not in the rear-view mirror. We love to deal with anyone who shares this vision for velvet production,” he says.

The Forest Road Farm online in-fawn hind sale will take place in late July. Check bidr for details or contact your PGG Wrightson deer representative.

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