Aberdeenshire will host the demonstration farm for a pioneering new project to get more people into deer farming.
Ali Loder, who farms at Culquoich Farm, Glenkindie, will give an introduction to deer farming through five day-long visits.
The Deer Farm Demonstration Project is part of wider plans to boost venison production from deer farms and parks across Scotland.
It is a joint initiative between Scotland Food and Drink (SFD), the Scottish Venison Partnership, food certification body SFQC, NFU Scotland and Culquoich Farm.
The wider strategy was developed in response to a forecast decline in the cull of Scotland’s wild red deer – currently the main source of venison produced in the UK – and a growing appetite for venison among Britain’s consumers.
The market is estimated to be growing at about 20% a year.
Deer have been an integral part of the Culquoich farming business since 2004, with about 190 acres fenced off for them.
The herd now stands at about 280 animals, with the business striving to produce deer for both venison production and breeding stock to sell to other farms.
Demonstration project visits will include presentations on all aspects of deer farming, with practical demonstrations and training.
SFD chief executive James Withers, who is leading the project, said: “Scotland has tremendous opportunity to increase its on-farm venison production, with an extremely buoyant and expanding UK market.
“Ali Loder’s enterprise at Culquoich provides the perfect insight into how such a unit can be developed over a 10-year period to be a significant player, producing a quality product in terms of both venison and stock, and an exceptional example for those who wish to enter this sector.”
He said sharing Mr Loder’s experience was key to selling the concept of deer farming to other farmers and meeting the target of producing 1,000 tonnes of venison on-farm in Scotland every year by 2020.
The first Culquoich Farm visit under the demonstration project will take place on the farm and at Towie Hall in Glenkindie on Tuesday, April 15, from 10am-4.30pm.