Venison and velvet producers will have money on their minds as they head into the Deer Industry Conference starting in Napier Tuesday.

Prices for both are steady after the boom and bust cycle of recent years, but industry leaders acknowledge there’s plenty of room for improvement, according to Mark O’Connor, Chief Executive of Deer Industry New Zealand.

Mr.  O’Connor says if deer are born earlier in spring, they’ll be better placed to supply the European market – where 80% of exports go – during the December high season.

The national herd size has dropped from its recent peak of 775,000 in 2005 to below 400,000. But Mr. O’Connor says producers are already self-correcting. He says around 10% retention of stock is ideal.

The national deer conference runs until Thursday.