Deer antler cutting season, Nghe An farmers earn billions

At this time, Mr. Nguyen Van Ke's family in Hamlet 5, Quynh Yen Commune has 22 deer in the antlers-cutting stage. A pair of deer antlers weighs an average of 8 - 9 taels/animal, for deer from 1.5 - 3 kg/animal, giving him a profit of more than 100 million VND in the first antlers-cutting period of the year.

Realizing the increasing demand for products in the market, he purchased deer antlers and deer antlers from households in the district and neighboring districts such as Dien Chau, Do Luong, Nghia Dan, Yen Thanh... Every year, he sells products to big cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, from 600 - 700 kg.

In the barn of Mr. Ho Thanh Binh's family in Hamlet 4, Quynh Nghia Commune, there are usually 10 deer. Mr. Binh said: The deer's peak season for cutting off buds is usually concentrated in January, February and March of the lunar calendar; in June, the deer will give another time to cut off fruit buds.

To achieve quality and weight of deer antlers, when the antlers start to grow, in addition to feeding them leaves, grass, and corn, he adds foods rich in fat to help the antlers grow quickly.

Quynh Luu district currently has more than 14 thousand deer, each year from selling deer antlers and deer antlers to breeders, earning tens of billions of dong in income. Photo: Hong Dien

With two antlers, each deer yields 1.4 - 2 kg, after deducting food costs, he earns 70 million VND/year. In addition to raising deer for antlers, he is also active in buying and selling breeding animals, earning 120 - 130 million VND/year.

Quynh Nghia commune currently has 1,600 deer. Deer farming in the locality has been around for decades, but in the past, farmers could only harvest antlers once a year. In recent years, thanks to focusing on investing in abundant food sources and good care, each deer has produced antlers twice, with quality that meets consumer demand. Each year, the locality sells 600 kilograms of antlers to the market, with a value of 5.4 billion VND.

Thanks to good care, a deer can give two antlers per year. Photo: Hong Dien

According to local authorities, the price of antlers is relatively stable, bringing high income to people. Therefore, Quynh Nghia considers deer as the main animal in the livestock industry. The commune has directed the establishment of deer farming cooperatives in the area to support each other in the farming process. At the same time, develop the area of ​​​​planting elephant grass and corn to have a source of food on the spot. In addition, promote the image, brand, and effects of deer antlers through the local website, or to people far from home so that many people know about it to expand the consumption market.

Mr. Bui Xuan Ky - Vice Chairman of Quynh Nghia Commune People's Committee said:“This year, at the beginning of the season, the price of deer antlers reached 1.1 - 1.2 million VND/kg, then the price dropped to 950,000 VND/kg, so deer farmers are confident in this economic development direction. Currently, the locality has a policy of maintaining the total herd to maintain the tradition of deer farming in the locality, promoting the development of the agricultural and rural economy.”

Currently, Quynh Luu district is promoting the construction of a brand for deer antlers and deer antlers to make consumption easier. Photo: Hong Dien

Investing in deer farming to exploit the potential and advantages of terrain and land is the right direction for Quynh Luu farmers. The advantages and outstanding value compared to many other animals in recent years have helped many households in localities raising deer in the district have a more prosperous and fulfilling life./.