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Abstract
Asian markets for velvet antler perceive the colour of the core as a primary indicator of quality. The factors which influence colour are not known, but the market preference in Korea is for an even mid‐red colour. The aim of the present study was to determine whether removal technique and post‐removal handling influence velvet colour. Investigations took place at AgResearch Invermay and at Mount Hurt Station in mid Canterbury, New Zealand. The influences on velvet antler colour of sedative drug, mild stress, local anaesthetic administration, timing of tourniquet application, and restraint of the stags in a crush or workroom for velvet antler removal were investigated. The effects of antler orientation post‐removal and post‐removal environmental temperature on velvet antler colour were also investigated. In all studies, velvet antler was frozen and held at ‐20°C before being dried either by freeze drying or commercially. In all trials, a consistent pattern of both lightness and hue angle was shown from the tip of the velvet antler stick to the base; the tip was lighter and browner, the mid section was darker and redder, and the base was lighter and browner. There were no significant overall effects of drug treatment on colour, but there were significant differences among sections. Specifically, sedative drug treatments resulted in less red velvet antler than in control antlers removed using local analgesic only. Mild stress and method of local analgesic administration had no effect on any aspect of velvet antler colour. Placing the velvet at an angle of 15° (tip down) gave a darker and redder antler than the typical fully inverted position. There were no significant differences in colour whether the velvet antler was frozen immediately after removal or held at 4°C or ambient temperature for up to 6 hours prior to freezing. Overall, the use of sedative drugs produces velvet antler that is lighter and less red, and post‐removal handling technique can influence colour.
