From the Karoo
We raise deer for ethical venison and genetic diversity, working from the dry Karoo to the green Midlands with practical care and years of experience.
Deer Farming began at Karoo Edge Farm, where a small herd of fallow deer found a home among koppies and windbreaks on the R61 in the Eastern Cape. We started with just a handful of animals, learning the needs of deer in South African veld, and built well-fenced camps to keep them safe and healthy. Over time, our work drew in red deer, sika deer and chital (axis deer), always under environmental permits. Today, Karoo Edge holds the core fallow herd, the main handling facilities and our stud records.
Animal welfare is our starting point: low-stress handling, careful camp rotation, natural shade and drought buffers, and the steady work of keeping water clean and veld healthy. Every deer is checked by the team before and after the seasons change, with our veterinary liaison officer agreeing health plans and movement protocols with game veterinarians. We use strong perimeter fencing, both for legal duty and the safety of the herds, and keep up with permit conditions under the NEMBA Alien and Invasive Species Regulations. Our handling kraals, the Karoo Edge and Mbombela gate cold rooms and our electric fence energisers all have backup power, so animals stay safe and the cold chain stays intact, even when the wires are down in the district.
Every breeding, sale or venison harvest is recorded. Our stud records lead keeps the stud books and tracks genetic diversity, so we never lose sight of bloodlines. Our venison provenance manager names each lot and keeps the cold chain unbroken from abattoir to chef or butcher. Our venison is always slaughtered at our registered partner abattoir, in line with the Meat Safety Act, and we work closely with the state veterinarian when planning live animal sales or movements. Seasonal changes bring their own work: veld rest after hard grazing, extra forage when the veld browns early, and careful planning for every calving and rut.
We work where deer can thrive and veld can recover. From our Karoo Edge home farm, the work reaches several regions. Beyond Karoo Edge, the team works from a Howick farm gate in the KZN Midlands, an education barn near Stellenbosch, a Mbombela supply gate for Lowveld lodges and a seasonal Bloemfontein show stand. There is a small regional office near Polokwane, and an order office in the Overberg for southern Cape kitchens; neither office holds animals. All visits are strictly by appointment, so we can keep both the herds and our records safe. Our farm visits coordinator organises education days, farm tours and booked visits for colleges and farmers, while the mobile field team covers the Northern Cape by bakkie where needed.
Deer Farming is run by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd, based at 2 Makro Place in Sunnyrock, Gauteng. While our farming and handling teams are always in the veld, all administration and email is handled through the Gauteng office. For any query about venison, live animals, farm visits or stocking advice, please send a message through our contact form and our team will put you in touch with the right person on the ground.
Deer Farming team
Our herd husbandry manager runs daily husbandry, camp rest and low-stress animal handling.
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Deer Farming team
Tracks every named lot, its cold chain and its authenticity from veld to kitchen.
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Deer Farming team
Looks after veld, forage, pasture and shade, guiding our drought buffers and grazing camps.
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Deer Farming team
Our veterinary liaison officer keeps our deer healthy, tracks veterinary records and oversees all welfare protocols on every one of our properties.
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Deer Farming team
Books and hosts farm-gate visits, education days and show stands with a practical, welcoming touch.
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Deer Farming team
Keeps the herd’s genetics and pedigrees in order, ensuring good records for every sale.
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