Deer at the Bioeconomy Science Institute's Invermay farm.
Researchers have discovered a more accurate way to detect parasites in farmed deer – a breakthrough that could save the industry an estimated $50 million a year.
The Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao, in partnership with Disease Research Limited, has been trialling polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to detect parasite DNA in deer faeces.
Bioeconomy Science Institute scientist Bryan Thompson said that detecting parasites in deer was difficult because they often showed no symptoms, and traditional tests used for other livestock were unreliable.
“Parasites, such as gastrointestinal worms and lungworm, can reduce growth and bodyweight, and in severe cases cause death,” Thompson said.
“With New Zealand home to the world’s largest population of farmed deer, improving parasite management is critical to protecting this $300 million industry.”
Thompson said early results from the trial, funded by Deer Industry New Zealand, were “highly encouraging”.
“PCR amplifies DNA millions of times, making it much easier to detect whether a parasite, virus or bacteria is present in a sample.”
He said Disease Research Limited’s diagnostic experts analysed historical faecal samples from Bioeconomy Science Institute’s Invermay farm.
“Applying PCR specifically to parasite detection in deer is new territory – and the early signs point to a turning point for the industry.”
Thompson said the test could give farmers a fast, accurate and cost-effective way to detect infections earlier, helping manage herd health more effectively and reducing the risk of drench resistance.
“With only one drench available to deer farmers, accurate parasite detection ensures treatments are used wisely, and unnecessary spending is avoided.”
Disease Research Limited laboratory manager Simon Liggett said the project had progressed quickly thanks to earlier research funded by the Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust.
“When we began this work back in 2016, the question was simply, ‘Can we do this?’.
“Now the question is, ‘What can we do with this information?’”
He said the ability to interpret the results was just as important as detecting the parasites.
“Just because an animal has parasites doesn’t mean they’re affecting its health. Some parasites are harmful; many are not.
“Our role is not just to detect parasites but to interpret the data and help farmers understand what action, if any, is needed.”
Liggett said commercial availability of the test will depend on the results from further trials expected to take place this autumn.
In the meantime, additional parasite information can already be provided when farmers send in samples for Johne’s disease testing.
Deer Industry NZ policy and research manager Emil Murphy said the investment was about giving farmers greater certainty in parasite management.
“Our goal is to help farmers move beyond a ‘drench and hope’ approach.
“New Zealand is the only country farming deer at this scale, so we’re leading research that hasn’t been done anywhere else in the world.”
Reducing the risk of drench resistance is also a key driver.
“While drench resistance isn’t a problem yet, we’d be foolish to wait until it is before we act.”
Murphy said that once validated, the new test will function much like a lab-run multipanel Covid test, allowing many parasites and diseases to be detected simultaneously.
“Farmers will get multiple insights from a single sample, helping them make the best decisions for their herd.”
- Supplied by Bioeconomy Science Institute