There are a number of ways to sell venison animals in the Australian market. Unlike sheep and cattle, which are generally sold through the saleyard or direct to the abattoirs, deer are sold to "processors". A processor will purchase animals direct from the farmer and arrange the transport, slaughtering, boning, packaging and marketing.
As far as the farmer is concerned, he is simply selling his/her animals to an individual processor and is paid on either a live weight or hot carcass weight basis. To find ways to sell your deer it is a good idea to check out your local rural newspaper. Venison vendors often advertise for deer wanted in this media. As an alternative contact the DIAA & obtain a list of known venison vendors.
As you are reading this page, then a good place to start is in the Contacts section of this Web Site.
Although this system works well, there are a few points which should be clarified. The deer industry still has a few short comings, and selling animals on the basis of a price at the farm gate is one of them. Farmers prefer this method as it is simple and it reduces their exposure to events beyond their control. However, as the industry matures, the sale of animals at an "over the hooks" price will become more entrenched. With this method the farmer is paid per kg of carcass weight, and farmers producing well-finished animals are rewarded for their skills.
Whereas presently selling decisions are based on price received and terms of payment, the pursuit of quality will become an issue when premiums are available for specified prime carcasses.
The aim of farmers is to produce a marketable sized animal in the shortest possible time. This will vary depending on the breed of animal, market needs, pasture availability or supplementary feed costs.
Live Weight Selling
Usually the processor will require you to leave the animals for sale in your yards for eight hours or so without food. This way, the animals empty their stomach and bowels and the processor buys what he can sell (not grass etc.). Most farmers prefer this, if they have accurate scales, as they know immediately what their animals are worth. Processors are generally wary of this system because there are many possible deductions for which he/she may have to pay. There may be a problem in transportation or at the abattoirs which cause bruising. There will be a certain amount of dehydration during transport and the worst scenario is a death somewhere that the processor has to cover.
Hot Carcass Weight Selling
This is generally the most accepted way of selling. It is better for the processor and if the farmer has good, quiet stock, there is little chance of bruising etc. After the animal has been slaughtered and processed to the stage before it goes into the cool room of the abattoir, it is weighed. This weight will determine the value of the animal based on a previously agreed schedule. When in the cool room, the carcass would be graded according to its tissue depth and bruising. There are Ausmeat specifications for the measurements. This is the least preferred method for farmers as they will sometimes suffer losses over which they had no control.
In short, try a few different processors. Continue to deal with the one with whom you feel most comfortable. Trust and reliability are important for both parties. Many processors are now looking for forward contracts which adds a lot more security to your business. Some deer are bought, by a few processors, to be exported live. If you are against the idea of live exports it may be in your interest to ask for a kill sheet for your stock.
Page courtesy of VicDeer
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