The present state of deer industry
There are about 22 thousand heads of deer in Taiwan, and Formosan sambar deer account for 83%; there are over 7 hundred deer ranches. The product of fresh cuts of velvet is about 23.7 metric ton per year and that costs 600 million NT dollars (Agricultural statistics yearbook, 2013). The most important and stable income of the deer industry is fresh velvet, which harvested one time per year, and its average market price is about 25 thousand NT dollars per kilogram. The velvet belongs to expensive livestock product with high price and attached value.
Nuclear technical research and development
Establishing the technical platform of artificial insemination (AI) of the Formosan sambar deer (2006~2008). The trans-cervical artificial insemination with diluted fresh semen in Formosan sambar deer has emerged as a highly successful reproductive tool; the conception rate in excess of 70% is confidently achieved. The AI technique will be able to rapidly extend the excellent genetic resources in Formosan sambar deer.
Food Animal Breeding Research Consortium (FABRC): Establishment of reproduction system in Formosan sambar deer (2009~2016). The purpose of this study is to establish the reproduction system of the Formosan sambar deer. Through the artificial reproductive technology in the semen and embryo cryopreservation and development of sex identification, we will establish the reproduction and supply system in Formosan sambar deer.
Guiding and Extension
Combining the transfer and authorization mechanism of agricultural technology, we assist to train the seed teacher of artificial insemination in deer, and utilize forever the excellent genetic resources of the propagation ranches. We will establish the new thinking in the area of artificial reproductive technology for ranchers, and that will be helpful to promote their competitiveness.