Individual and annual improvement of antler weight in Formosan Sambar Deer
M. C. Wu(1), D. Y. Lin(1), N. T. Yen(1), H. H. Lin(1), S. R. Kang(1), C. B. Hsu(1), S. J. Liang(2), C. S. Lin(3) and P. M. Chen(4) (1) Livestock Research Institute; (2) Deer Farmers Association R.O.C.; (3) National Animal Industry Foundation; (4) Council of Agriculture
Deer Farmers Association R.O.C. encourages deer farmers to cultivate excellent deer species, enhance quality, and increase profits. The antler weight competition has been carried out for 14 years. Deer individuals are not allowed to breed from different deer breeds. The competition was limited to the on-site assessment; judges should present and photographed on the spot. Use the electronic scales that have been calibrated in the current year of the competition to be qualified or labelled on the spot. The weight of the antler's table obtained by weighing the electronic scale should also be photographed. The award-winning deer has only 551 heads and is raised in 14 counties and cities. The antler weight ranges from 145.6 to 485.3 tael units and its average is 229.7 士 47.8 tael (8.61 士 1.79 kg). The top 20 velvet weight averages were 248.2 and 317.4 tael in 2012 and 2019 respectively. The annual improvement of Taiwan's Sambar antler weight was about 7.7 ( (317.4 - 248.2 = 69.2) /7) tael.