Binh Phuoc farmer raises animals with high nutritional value, used to make precious medicinal herbs

Raising deer for reproduction and antlers is a long-standing model in Binh Phuoc province. Deer antlers have high nutritional value and are used to prepare oriental medicine, helping to nourish the body and increase resistance.

Because of its high nutritional value, the price of deer antlers on the market is not cheap. For many years, Mr. Nguyen Van Que in village 2, Thien Hung commune, Bu Dop district, Binh Phuoc province has invested in raising deer, earning hundreds of millions of dong each year.

Boldly turn to deer farming

Previously, Mr. Nguyen Van Que raised goats. Due to the falling price of meat goats, after deducting expenses, he only made a profit of a few tens of millions of dong each year. After researching information on social networks, he boldly invested in raising deer for breeding and velvet collection.

Taking advantage of the large land, he built a barn on an area of ​​150 square meters. The barn is mainly made of wood, with a cement floor and a slope for drainage. The barn is built to be cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and ensures light.

At first, he raised 6 deer on trial to understand the growth habits of deer. After many years, the herd grew to more than 20 deer, of which 8 males are being exploited for velvet antlers.

The deer herd of Mr. Nguyen Van Que's family in village 2, Thien Hung commune, Bu Dop district

Mr. Que said that deer are easy to raise, have high economic value, and can be fed from waste from plants, vegetables, and tubers in the garden. During the 18-month raising period, mature female deer are mated to reproduce, and male deer begin to sprout antlers.

A mature female deer weighs about 45-50kg, a male deer weighs from 65-90kg. Male deer raised for 24 months can be harvested for velvet, each weighing from 250-300g. The longer the deer is raised, the more velvet buds there are, the higher the profit.

Normally, the best time to raise deer for antlers is 5 years, at which time the antlers will reach a weight of about 800g. If well cared for, they will produce more antlers. Deer antlers have high nutritional value and are used to make oriental medicine products and health foods. 1kg of antlers costs from 23-25 ​​million VND.

Male deer in antlers

Mr. Que shared: “Deer antlers are expensive but not for sale. A pair of deer antlers is about 18 million VND, a larger pair is sold at a higher price. Antlers mainly grow in the spring and are collected from February to June every year. During this period, it is necessary to increase the deer's nutritious food.”

Deer farming model for high income

Raising deer does not use industrial feed so it requires little investment. A deer eats very little, only 1/3 of what a cow eats. On average, a deer eats 5-6kg of grass per day. Every time he feeds deer grass and acacia leaves, Mr. Que often uses a machine to cut them into small pieces and put them in a trough.

In the garden, Mr. Que used about 3 sao of land to grow grass to proactively provide food for the deer. In addition, deer also eat starchy foods such as corn, black beans, white beans, red beans, peanuts; vegetables such as water spinach, sweet potato leaves and some other wild vegetables.

Thanks to the abundant food source of vegetable, root and fruit waste in the garden, Mr. Que spends very little money on food. During the period of pregnancy and velvet production, deer need to be supplemented with adequate nutrients, starchy foods, especially nuts.

Every day, add salt to the drinking water or hang a salt lick in the corner of the cage to supplement minerals for the deer to grow healthily. Mr. Que said: "Deer are easy to care for animals and have high resistance. However, breeders need to pay attention if they feed them strange, spoiled food, the deer are very susceptible to diarrhea. When deer have bloating and flatulence, I often feed them guava leaves and green bananas, the disease gradually subsides, and after a few days they are cured."

Deer's food is mainly grass, corn, peanuts... and many other vegetables, tubers and fruits.

“Raising deer for velvet antlers costs little, you only need to buy the initial breed and get the labor for the profit. Taking care of deer is also simpler than other livestock. For farmers who want to raise them, the association will coordinate with previous farmers to introduce and provide breeds, as well as provide guidance on raising techniques. Hopefully, in the near future, the model will be replicated in the area, helping farmers have a stable income and develop their family economy.”

Mr. PHAM DINH THOAI, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Thien Hung Commune, Bu Dop District

Not only raising deer for velvet, Mr. Que also raises deer for reproduction, providing deer breeds to people in the surrounding area. Female deer are pregnant for 7.5 months, giving birth to 1 baby deer per litter. Currently, deer breeds are sold at a very high price, a 6-month-old deer costs 15-17 million VND. Deer meat is sold for 450,000 VND/kg.

With the model of raising deer for reproduction and velvet collection, each year after deducting expenses, Mr. Que earns about 200 million VND in profit.

Mr. Que said that the model of raising deer for velvet antlers costs little, allows one to proactively source food, earns a profit and takes advantage of free time to do other things.

After 8 years of starting a business with this model, Mr. Que's family's economy is growing more and more. In the future, he will build more barns and expand livestock farming.

According to the Farmers' Association of Thien Hung Commune, the deer raising model is suitable for households with little land. Each household with 2-3 sao of land can grow grass and build livestock barns. In addition to Mr. Que's household, which is raising deer effectively, there is another household that also raises about 20 deer. After many years of development, the model has been promoting economic efficiency, bringing stable income to households.

Source: https://danviet.vn/anh-nong-dan-binh-phuoc-nuoi-loai-dong-vat-co-gia-tri-dinh-duong-cao-dung-de-bao-che-duoc-lieu-quy-20240814154201235.htm