Holme Farmed Venison, based at Thorpe Underwood, is looking to increase its share of the export market.

Nigel Sampson surveys a herd of red deer at Low Farm.

"However, due to the strength of the pound and the very nature of the way in which we farm in the UK, this proves expensive," said Nigel Sampson, joint director of the company.

"Red deer are good looking and easy animals to farm. It's an all-round good beast. In addition to the high-protein meat, the antlers are used to make walking sticks, while other bits and pieces are exported to Far Eastern markets for aphrodisiac purposes.

"Furthermore, unlike other meats, venison does not shrink in the pan. Buy a 10oz sirloin steak and it can work its way down to 8oz. The natural moisture of lean fat-free venison allows it to expand."

Mr Sampson, who studied agriculture at Cirencester College, moved to the 110-acre Low Farm at Thorpe Underwood about ten years ago. "We struggled to make money under beef, and then - because it was principally a heavy land farm ideal for grass - decided to farm deer. Clay retains its moisture even in dry weather, so grass can still grow."

During World War II the farm was used for wintering a circus. "There have always been offbeat creatures on the farm, including elephants, which were housed in the big yard," he said.

Mr Sampson, who purchased Holme Farmed Venison, near Penrith, Cumbria, brought the whole operation down to Yorkshire five years ago. Since then it has grown from £250,000 to £2 million turnover. "I don't think it's reached its peak yet," he said.

"One of the main reasons for going into farming venison, was to get involved in a product entirely independent of any government or political interference."

In addition to the meat production factory at Wetherby, there are two operations: Holme Farmed Venison supplies the high street retailer and individual, while Northern Venison supplies the larger retail multiples such as Tesco and Waitrose. Partner Richard Elmhurst is responsible for Round Green Farm Venison Company, as well as the abattoir, near Barnsley.

Up to 500 deer are grazed at Low Farm at any one time, with around 5,000 processed per annum. "We pull deer in from Aberdeen to John O'Groat's as well as from Wales and Ireland," said Mr Sampson.

Meanwhile, Mr Sampson and Mr Elmhurst, have extended their customer range: catering supplies hotels and restaurants; retail supplies major supermarkets; mail order supplies major London stores; and a mail order site has been set up on the Internet.

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