HB Today - Ram Catalogue 2023

Welcome tothisedition of the 2023RamCatalogue

Here we giveyouthe opportunity to learnaboutthe all-importantram salesandreadaboutwhatsome ofourNorthIslandbreeders are up to We’ve aninteresting selectionof articleswhichwehope will inform, entertainand provide foodfor thought.

Takeabreak,relaxand readthisissueover acuppa. Feelfreeto contact us ifyou wishtoadvertise next year or if youhaveany storyideas fornextyear

FEATURESMANAGER

Shirley Randell shirleyrandell@nzmeconz

FEATURESWRITER

Chrys Ayley chrysayey@nzmeconz

CREATIVEDESIGN:

Aex Dsouza alexdsouza@nzmeconz

Cover photograph kndy supplied by Wayne Sargent of Kaahu Genetics

Suffolkand Suftex terminal2thsareavailable

RaupuhaShorthornbulls areavailableforsale

Pleaseenquireformoreinfo

MARKTHESEDATESONYOURCALENDAR:

Methanemeasurement ALTERNATIVES

ByAlastairReeves

WaimaiRomneywasthrilledtosee anewscientificreportfromthe UniversityofOxfordandCranfield Universityadvocatingforachangeinthe waymethaneismeasured!Thereportsaid “thattakingaccountofmethaneactual atmosphericwarmingisseenasamore accuratewaytogaugeprogresstowardsNZ meetingitsParisAgreementcommitments oflimitingwarmingtobelow2degC.”Italso said“theGWP100metricdistortsincentives andthealternativeGWP*metricismore appropriateasitmeasurestherateof changeofshort-livedGHGemissions.”

AsWaimaiRomneyhasbeentrying toaccommodatelowmethanegenetics intoourbreedingprogramoverthelast fewyears,thisismusictoourears.Itis notbeforetimethatourindustryleaders havenowgotscientificinformation, independentlyverified,tocallforareviewof ourmethanetargets.Asfarmers,wehave alwaysadvocatedfor“Goodsciencetomake Gooddecisions.”

WaimaiRomneybelievesthattheNZ Sheep&BeefIndustryhasnotbeen responsibleforanywarmingoftheplanet since1990,soweshouldhavenoliabilities formethaneoutputs!Butwhatifwecould bepartoftheGlobalWarmingsolution?We allagreethatlivestockproducemethane, sowhatifwecouldreduceourmethane levels,cooltheearth,andberewardedfor doingthis?AtWaimaiRomneywebelieve

thisistheopportunityinfrontofallgenetic providersandtheNZagriculturalindustryas awhole,toaddvaluetoourindustryandour farmersprofitablity,andtobeseeninour communitiesasenvironmentalsaviorsnot vandals.

AtWaimaiRomneyouraimistoproduce lowmethaneramswhilestillmaintainingall ourproductivetraits,namelyreproduction, growth,andsurvival,aswellasdisease traits,eczematoleranceandworm resistance,andtoquoteafriendofDad’s, “what’stheworstthatcanhappen!”Over thelast4yearsofselectingsiresforthe WaimaiRomneyflockourNZMW(New

EliteRamSale

Waimairamsarebredtogiveyoualowinputflock, withselectionforfacialeczematolerance,worm resistance,lowmethane,lowdagsandlargebreech. Atthesametime,theirproductiontraitsmake youmoney:stronggrowth,highfertilityandgood survival.Joinusonourjourneytowardcreatinga moreprofitablelowinputsheep.

ZealandMaternalWorth)hasgoneupfrom anaverageNZMWof2470to3148,aswell asDPX(DualPurposeeczema)plusDPF (DualPurposeParasiteresistance),going from1519to2280,whichisreallypleasing andshows“youmightbeabletohaveyour cakeandeatit.”

Asweallknow,geneticstakestime,soif WaimaiRomneydidnothinginitsbreeding programregardingmethane,wouldthisbe beneficialtomyclients,orwoulditmaybe futureproofthemforwhateverisaround thecorner?

WaimaiCharaBlackterminalramsalso

aregainingarealfollowing,withthe combinationofHampshireandCharolais Genetics,producingameatywedgeshaped sheep,withfastgrowthratesandease oflambing.AbigfocusoftheCharaBlack geneticsprogramistoproducemeatwith exceptionalquality.Fiveyearsofprogeny trialsacrossNZhaveshownthatthe WaimaiCharaBlackisoneoftheleading breedsthroughoutthecountry,producing highIMF(intramuscularfat)lambcarcasses, whichistheleadingtraitingaining customersatisfactionwheneatinglamband somethingwebelievewilladdapremiumto ourclientsinthenottoodistantfuture.

Bridgingbreeds:thevitalroleofNewZealand’s CENTRALPROGENYTEST

SarahPowdrell

Forover20years,theCentralProgeny TesthasbeenacornerstoneofNew Zealand’ssheepindustry,helpingdrive geneticimprovementinthiscountry’ssheep flocks.

FundedbyBeef+LambNewZealand, theCentralProgenyTest(CPT)hasbeen underpinningournationalsheepgenetic evaluation,bycreatinggeneticlinks, benchmarkingsires,investigatingnovel traitsanddemonstratingthepowerof geneticselection.

Forfarmers,theCPT’ssimplicityisits strength.Ramsarecomparedbyrunning theirprogenyinstandardisedenvironments. Thisway,wecanaccountforenvironmental differencesandwhatcanbeattributedto genetics.

Runundercommercialconditions toensureitsrelevanceforcommercial sheepbreeders,theCPToperatesattwo sites;Glenside,acommercialhillcountry propertyintheWairarapaandAgResearch’s InvermayfarminDunedin.

OverseenbyB+LNZGenetics,around 20sires(amixofmaternalandterminal breeds)areselectedtotakeparteveryyear.

Breedersorbreedgroupsnominate

theirflockstotakepartandsuccessful flocksareselectedbasedonthebenefit theirconnectionswillbringtoNZ’ssheep industry.

Withafocusonensuringadiverse representationofflocks,theprogramme facilitateslinksbetweendifferentsheep breedsthatmightnotoccurnaturally.The selectionprocessoftenincludesflocksthat aren’twellconnectedtotheevaluation,yet playacrucialroleinrepresentingaparticular sectoroftheindustry.

Theseconnectionsenabletheevaluation tocreatealevelplayingfieldforfarmersto comparedifferentbreedsobjectively.

Successfulramsareusedover1400ewes acrossbothsitesandthetechnicalteam gotogreatlengthstoensureeachramis matedtoanevenrangeofeweages,sizes andbodyconditions.Thisgiveseachram anequalopportunitytoexpressitsgenetic potential.

Ahugeamountofworkandtime isinvolvedforthehostfarms.Many measurementsaretakenthroughoutthe year,includingliveweights,bodycondition scores,eye-musclemeasurements,worm faecaleggcounts,methaneemissions, carcaseinformation,reproductive

performance,andwooltraits.Thedatais compiledinnProve(formerlySIL),which generatesindexesandBVsforthesires.

Sinceitsinceptionin2002,theCPThas evolvedtobecomeanimportantassetto NZ’ssheepindustry.Farmershavebecome savvieraboutramselectionsandtheCPT hasplayedabigpartinthatchange.

Anothersignificantbenefitistheroleit hasplayedinunitingtheindustry,fostering collaborationbetweenbreedgroupsworking togetherwiththecommongoalofseeing genetictechnologiesbecomecommercially viable.

It’stheglueintheequation,ensuring acollectivedrivetowardsprogressand innovationwithinNZ’ssheepindustry.

Beef+LambNewZealand

SarahPowdrell.

Beetlestoimprove SOILHEALTH

ByChrysAyley

After30yearsfarmingatWaituiin TaihapeGregBennett,alongwithhis wifeJocelyn,decidedtotakethingsa littleeasierandswappedtheir345hafor9 hainMartonthreeyearsago.

Greghadlongbeenanadvocateforthe benefitsofWiltshiresandstillhas60ewes, fattenslambsandhas“someoftheoldgirls, afewofwhicharenineyearsold.”However, hesaysthatifthesheepneededshearing hewouldn’thavethemduetotheworkload.

Waituiisinalowvalley1000feetabove sealevelandisthelargestareaofflatinthe districtwithagoodmixofeasyandsteeper hills.

CharlesBennett,GregandJocelyn’s son,aformerheavydieselmechanic,now managestheproperty.Hehasafiancé Emma-Leeandan11montholdsonHarry. Charleswasraisedonthefarmsohad nodifficultyinsteppingintohisfather’s footsteps.

Therehavebeenchangesinthelastfew yearswiththestocknowbeingSILrecorded. Theyhavealreadyculledoutsomerams withslowgrowth.Fertilityhasincreased

andisstayingconsistent.They’renow scanningat180-185%throughtheirtwotoothsandmixedagehoggetsarescanning around118%.

CharlesisastrongsupporterofWiltshires whichhesaysare“sellingbetterthan Romneys”atthemoment.“Idon’tthink we’vereachedtheirpotentialyetespecially whenyoulookatthecostofshearingversus thepriceofwool,”hesays.

“Somethingpeoplehaven’tpickedup onisifyou’reshearinginwintertime yousuddenlygotahugerequirementfor feed.Wiltshiresdon’tchangetheirfeed requirementsoverwinterastheydon’t suddenlylosealltheirwoolandgethungry.”

Charlesisexcitedwithhislatestproject thatinvolvesintroducingdungbeetles

ontotheproperty.Charlesobtainedthe beetlesfromDrSeanForgieofAuckland basedDungBeetleInnovations.Ittakes someyearstobuildupthenumbersbutin thelongtermacoworsheeppatwillonly lastonthesurfaceforthreedays.Itwillbe buriedanywhereupto60cmunderground. Withfaecesbeingtakenundergroundit meansthatlarvaefromthesheeppoowill alsobetakenundergroundratherthanbeing eatenbythesheep.Ultimatelythiswill lessenthewormburden,althoughatWaitui theydon’tdrenchalotanyway.Theyhave aclosedblockforramsandwhilethereis alwayssomenewstocknoothersheepuse theblock.

“Thebeetlesputnutrientsbackintothe soil,aerateitandencouragedeeperroot growth.Itcanalsoleadtofewerissueswith drought.Ratherthanhavinganacreofa paddockcoveredincoworsheepshitit’sall buriedanditsgrowingpasturethesheep wanttoeat,”Charlessays.

Inadditiontotheirannualramsalethey alsoholdanannualon-farmsaleinJanuary whichisbasicallyafemalesale.

Details

345ha,hometo1000ewes, now1200ewes

420ewehoggets

64RedDevoncowsplus52 calveswintered

TheZoetis GENETICSDIFFERENCE

Buildingabettersheepandbeef industrytogetherisatthecoreof whatZoetisdoes.Thereisno“one sizefitsall”,whenitcomestogenetic gain.TheZoetisGeneticsproductlineup meansfarmerscanpick,mixandcustomise apackagetomaximizetheirreturnon investmentmade.Workingalongside farmerstounderstandwhattheyare wantingtoachievewithintheiroperation andcreatingaDNAplanthatbestsuits thosegoalsiswhattheZoetisGenetics teamstrivestoachieve.

AtZoetisGeneticsit’smorethan providingtoolsandresourcestomake moreprofitablebreedingdecisions,with apassionateteamofexperiencedexperts readytohelp.Thededicatedfieldteamduo ofDayanneAlmeida(NZSheepGenetics ManagerandTechnicallead)andAmy Hoogenboom(NZBeefGeneticsManager) arealwaysreadytoprovidetechnicaladvice andhandsonassistancetoensurefarmers gettheverybesthelpandadvicetoimprove theproductivityandprofitabilityoftheir herdorflock.Thefieldteamisbackbya knowledgeableandsupportivecustomer servicesteamwhohelpkeeptheflowof datafromsampletoresultsasseamlessas possible.

DNAofbothsheepandcattleisprofiled fromasmalltissuesampletakenfromthe ear.Itrequiresperfectanddiligentrecording oftheanimal’sidentificationmatchedto itsDNAprofile.TheGeneticsManagersare oftenbusyonfarmastheyhelpaccurately recordtheanimalsbeingtested,aswellas keepinganeyeonordersthroughthelab

systemandthenworkingwiththeZoetis teamtocompileanyreportingbacktothe farmer.Therearemanydiscussionsonthe bestfitofproductswithineachoperation andgeneraleducationaswellasaround breedingpolicies,newtechnologies, productsandselectioncriteria.TheZoetis teamalsoworkswithotherpartnerssuch asbureaustoensurebreedersgetthebest resultstheycanfromDNA.

ZoetishasbeentheDNAproviderof choiceformanystudsheepandcattle breedersthroughNewZealandformore thantenyears.Zoetishasawiderangeof productoptionsforbreedersincludinggene markersforspecificgeneticconditions, DNAparentageandgenomicsformore accuratebreedingvaluepredications.For sheeptheyalsooffertwoDNAprograms thatincorporatethoseproductsintoawhole flockcontextforbestreturnofinvestment. GoingbeyondDNAprofiling,Zoetishelps breederscommunicatetoramandbull buyerswhatDNAtechnologyisandhowit

addsvaluetotheirpurchaseisalsopartof theservice.

MorerecentlyZoetishaslaunched INHERITSelect™,aninnovative,beef multi-breedgenomictestandweekly geneticevaluationprovidingpredictionsfor commercialfemalesincludingcrossesof eightmajorbreeds.

WorkingalongsidefarmersusingDNA technologytodeliverthebestoutcome foreachindividualfarmingoperationisat theheartofwhatZoetisgeneticsoffersits customers.

NZSheepGeneticsManagerandTechnicalLeadDayanneAlmeida,right,helping collectsamplesattailing.

NZBeefGeneticsManagerAmy HoogenboomrecordingcattleDNA samples.

RamBuying DECISIONS

DaveWarburtonBVSc

VetServicesHastings

flock.Thegeneticsyourselectonram purchasedaywillimpactyourfarmformany years,usually4years’worthofdaughters, andthentheirprogeny(7+years).

There’salottoconsiderandwritingthis downinaformalgeneticplangivesyoua clearandobviousdirectionofwhatthat lookslike.

•Whereareyounow?Whatlevelof performancedoyouwanttoachieve withyourflockinthenext5years?

•Whatdoesthepurchaserofyourproduct want?

•Whatistheconsumeroftheendproduct lookingfor?

Fromananimalhealthviewpointit’svery importanttohavethetraitsoffacialeczema andwormresistance/resilienceonyour radar.Facialeczemaanddrenchresistance arenotgoinganywhereandhaveabig financialimpactwhentheyreartheirugly head.

VetServicesproductionanimalteam areworkingcloselywithsheepbreeders acrosstheEastCoastandofferarangeof veterinaryservicesfortheadvancementof geneticstosupportyourfarmingoperations. Someoftheseservicesinclude;ramtesting, semencollection,artificialinseminationand embryotransfer. Whatbenefitcouldtheseservicesofferyou?

•INSURANCE–Losingatopramwithout hisgeneticsstoredcanbefrustrating andabiglosstoyourproduction.

•ACCESS–Ifyoucan’tgettheramfor naturalusethenusingsemencouldbea viableoption.

•MULTIPLYINGYOURBESTGENETICS–Allowsyoutogrowfromthetoprather thantoretainthebottomofyourflock.

•LINKAGE-Artificialinseminationallows linkagebetweenflockswheremating datesaresimilarortransportingrams isn’tviable.

•INTRODUCINGNEWGENETICS–You mayhaveaccesstonewbreedsand havetheoptionofbreedingwithgreat geneticswithfacialeczematolerance, wormresistanceandfinerwool.

•MARKETINGSEMEN–Weareableto marketyoursementoourclientsanda

wideraudience.

•MOREPROGENYPERSIRE–Ifyouhave anelitesire(orjointownershipofone), thenA.I.canallowmoreprogenypersire andnaturaluseaswellforallowners. Alongwiththesebreedingservices,ifyou wouldlikeassistancewithyourflockhealth managementorhelpsearchingforlocal breedersandramsthatmeetyourcriteria pleasegetintouch.

ContactyourlocalVetServicesclinicor headtoourwebsitetofindoutmorewww. vshb.co.nz

Vettechnicalteam, MadiDainesand CaitlinWatts, providingsheep healthserviceson theconveyor.

Keepcalm ANDCARRY ONFARMING…

ByChrysAyley

Afocusongoodoldfashionedfarming withagoodold-fashionedbreedof ram,andgettingthebasicsright,is stillpayingdividendsfortheCandyfamily.

It’sonlya25minutedrivefromGisborne toWaerengaoKuriandit’sherethatMark andRoseCandybreedHampshiresand SouthSuffolksatMangahauhauStud.The studispartofalargersheepandbeeffarm, MangahauhauHampshires.Heretheybreed terminalramsandfarmAnguscattle.

MangahauhauHampshires,400ha,is situatedat306metresabovesealeveland issteephillcountrywithaheavyclaysoil, summerdryandwinterwet.ThisFebruary thefamily,likemanyothers,wereseverely impactedbyCycloneGabriellewhichsaw 500mmofrainin24hours.“Wewere absolutelypulverised,”Marksays.“There wasmassiveslipping,lotsofbuggered fencesandtrees,welost25studewesand afewcowsandcalves.”

Theyreceivedawesomeassistancefrom peopleinTaumarunui,othersdonatedgear andfolkfromOtorohangadonatedbaleage. MostrecentlytheRapidReliefTeam(RRT) donatedfencinggearforover300farmers intheGisborneregion.

“We’reflatouttryingtogetthefarm backontrackagain.Wewerefortunateour houseandwoolshedweren’taffected,other peoplelosttheirhomes,sointhatregardwe wereprettyfortunate.”

Itwasbackin2018whenMarkbought 55SouthSuffolkhoggetstocrossoverthe Hampshires.However,theyreallyimpressed MarkandhenowbreedspureSouth SuffolksinadditiontotheHampshires. He’simpressedwiththeirgrowthrates andabilitytoshift.“Theyaregainingin popularity,they’regood,meatysheepand thescanresultshavebeengoodtoo,”he says.

“Wenowhaveabout330studewes, 100ewehoggetsandsellaround100rams annually.TheywereEMAscannedafew monthsbackandarelookinggoodand we’vemadefantasticprogresswithIMF. Withthemscanningexceptionallywelland nowwiththemeatprocessorsmeasuring fortheintramuscularfatandpayinga premiumwillbodewellforthetwobreeds. Ewescomethroughat86kgaverageprelamb.They’vebeenmaintaininganddoing extremelywell.”

“Itisabasicoldfashionedoperation,and thesheephavegottoliveandsurvivein commercialconditionsonsteephillcountry. Weusetechnologytomonitorperformance ofthestockbutbasicallytraditionalfarming methodsarestillusedandnature’sgotto haveahandintheselectionprocess.The Hampshiresarenoweighthgenerationand they’veadjustedtotheenvironment.”

“Thisyearfarminghasbeenabittough andpriceswillbedownbutgoingforward Ihopethingsstabilise.”Markisfairlystoic andisobviouslybredoftoughstocksimilar totheHampshires.“Wetakeonedayata timeandcarryonfarming.”

ThedamagetothepropertycausedbyCycloneGabrielle.

Someoftheramsthatwillbeforsalethisyear.

Sixgenerations ANDSTILLGOINGSTRONG

TheHumefamilyhasbeenfarming atPirinoaintheWairarapasince the1850s.Sixgenerationshave nowfarmedthelandwhichwasoriginally purchasedbyDavidHume’sgreat-great grandfatherPeter.Thestudiscalled Glenitiandisonpartofthelandoriginally purchasedbyPeterHume.

DavidHumeworkedwithhisfatherBillfor manyyearsalthoughatage84Billspends lesstimeonthefarmthesedaysandDavid overseesthework.DavidandhiswifeSonya havethreechildrenandtheeldest,Jaydenis nowhelpinghisdadonthefarmwherethey runRomney1,700studewesandsellabout 300ramsayear.

ItwasBill,alongwithotherlike-minded Romneybreederswhofoundedthe WairarapaImprovementgroupin1969.

Sincethentheyhavesignificantlyimproved theproductionofthebreedandoverthe decadeshavereceivedexcellentadvicefrom specialists.After50yearsofrecordingthere ishighaccuracyinthebreedingvaluesthat havebeengeneratedbySIL,Davidsays.

“Inrecentyearsthebalanceoffertility, survival,growthrateandwoolweighthas broughttheGlenitiflockclosetooptimum levels.”Lambingpercentageshavegreatly improvedoverthatperiodfrom110to over150.Managementandgenetics havebothplayedapartinbringingabout improvements.

InthirtyyearsRomneyshavebecome meatproducersratherthanwoolproducers. While60%ofafarmersincomecamefrom woolnowit’sbarely10%ofincome.Mostof

theselectionpressurewascentredaround wool.“Deadsheepwereplucked,dagswere trimmedandeverybitofwoolwasgathered upandpressed.Totalwoolproducedwas asimportantasthepounds,shillingsand pence,”saysBillinarecentnewsletterto clients.

“Mostofourewesnowhavetwinsand

rearthemtogoodweights.Themixedage ewesscannedalmost200%andthisyear thetwotooths189%.Theirmotheringis superbandsurvivalhighthroughselection forthesecharacteristics.Theyhaveaquiet temperamentandareeasytohandle.We lovethemanddon’twanttowaterdown anyofthecharacteristicsthathavebeen hardwon.Thetemptationtoputawoolless

orhairsheepoverthemisstrongnow,but thefearofreducingthefeaturesthatwelike somuchstopsourdoingthis.”

SalestakeplaceinNovemberby arrangement,eitherbyclientsvisiting GlenititoselecttheirRams,ortheywill happilyselectramsforclientsbasedontheir preferences:$1500,$1200,$900.

GlenitiRomneysarerobust easy-caresheepthathavehigh fertilityandhighgrowthratewith goodstylemediumwool.

ContactBillHume Ph 063077847 or 0274077557

Email w-hume@xtra.co.nz

ContactDavidHume Ph 063077895 or 0276898934

Email sonya-david@xtra.co.nz

•Survival

•GrowthRate

MemberofWairarapaRomney ImprovementGroup(WRIG)

Glenitiramsbeingshifted.

David,left,withBillintheyardwiththerams.

WoolsofNewZealandpickinguprams.

Sheddingwooltomaximizeprofit WITH KAAHUGENETICS

MurrayandWayneSargentsaytheir nextgenerationoframsforsale onNovember17aretickingallthe boxes.It’stheirfourthannualsaleandthe ramsarelookingreallygood,eventhoughit hasbeenalmostayearofconstantrain.

Lowinputhighoutput

MurrayandWaynewantedtoselectfor betteranimalbehavior,superiorhogget lambingpercentageandlambsurvivalalong withbettergrowthratesandmoremeat. Thedecisionwasmadetopioneeranew breedofsheep“KaahuWhite”whichisan AustralianWhiteXWiltshire.

“WedecidedtocreateourKaahuWhite

breedbecausewewantedaverylow input,highoutputsheepthatiscalmerand moreuserfriendlythanWiltshire.Weare delightedwithourKaahuWhites.”

MurrayandWayneareveryparticular andrigorouswhenselectingtheirkeeper studsires.Therearemanyimportanttraits toselectfor.Ramsneedtobestructurally soundandshowexceptionalconformation andtypeaswellasbeingoutstandingfor productionandhealthtraits.

“Webelievestructureisthecornerstone ofasheep’slongevityandconstitution.As wellastheirloinscan,theseelitekeeper studramswillbesentawayforaCTscanto moreaccuratelyaccesstotalmeatyieldand

thenonlythebestareused.Werecently sentsomeewehoggetstoTeKuitiMeats astheycalculatecarcassyield.Theyhad anaverageyieldof54%forasamedaykill whichwethoughtwasexceptional.”

•AlltheramlambshaveindividualF.E.C samplestakentocalculatetheirability toresistworms.Ourflockisalsothe secondhighestsheddingflockforfacial eczemaRamguardtestingat0.4.

•Allourramhoggetsareloinscanned (EMA)tomeasuretheamountofmuscle asapredictorforoverallmuscularity.

•Thecostandworkinvolvedwithfarming KaahuWhitesisminimalincomparison tosheepthatrequireshearing.

•Littleifanyflystrike,castsheep, bearings,dagging/crutching,bellying preparationforthefreezingworks.

•KaahuWhitesareveryfertileand desirablyhaveconsiderablylesstriplets thanourstudCoopworthsdidandare verygoodmothers.Theeweswean between170-180%andewehoggets about135-145%.

•Thegrowthratesinthelambsarehigh withourclientssayingourramscross verywellwiththeirewes.Thecross createsalotofhybridvigourwith increasedweaningweightsofnormally atleast2kgs.

FormoreInformationandphotosfollowus onFacebook@KaahuGenetics

KaahuWhite2toothsattheopendayinMay.

KaahuWhiteewehoggetsduringmating2023.

Simplesolutions TOREDUCEEMISSIONS

ByKateBroadbent Owner&ManagerofNikauCoopworth

Methanemadnessishowsomeare describingthecurrentconversation regardingGHGandagricultures responsibility.

Theproposedemissiontaxishighly contentious.Oneoftheopposingarguments isthatagriculturehasfewoptionsto mitigateorreduceouremissions.

Ordowe?

Sincethe1980’Soursheepsectorhas beenreducingnumbersandincreasing efficiencyandperformance.Weallknowthe statof60milliondownto20millionewes –withnearlythesameamountoflamb produced.

Morelambskilledatheavierweights. Simplegainsinfertility,survivalandgrowth resultedinincrediblegainsinproductivity and,asaresult,profitablefarms.Adapting

tomarkets,weather,governmentpolicyhas beenthejourneyandthehistoryoftheNZ sheepindustryfordecades.

Changingsystems,geneticsand managementtorespondtopressureshas keptusafloatthroughsubsidycuts,market volatility,drought,andthepressureofeverincreasinggovernmentpolicy.

Thisisourhistory.

Thispresentchallengeisnotaroadblock, noraninsurmountableproblem.Thetarget ofreducingemissionshasasimplesolution.

Efficiency

Efficiencytrumpspasturesprays,rumen boluses,methanegeneticsandemissions taxEVERYTIME.

Andweknowhowtodothis.

Allthechallengesfacingoursectortoday pointtoarequirementtoreducenumbers.

Drenchfailure,environment,water quality,SNAs,Biodiversity,andmethane

madness.Ifreducingthenumberofstock isananswerthentoremainprofitable wemustincreaseefficiency–meeting thesechallengeswitharesponsethatlifts performanceandprofit.

Ourhistoryandexperiencehasshown wecandothisand,withanationallambing averageofonly130%,thereisroomfor moreimprovement.

Sohowcanwecontinuedowntheroad withtheworld’smostefficientewes?The answerisacombinationofgeneticsand systemschangesonfarm.

Genetics

Longevity–ifeweswereretainedoneextra yearlessreplacementsarerequired. Diseaseandparasitetolerance–wastage fromthesereducesincomeandnegatively impactsperformance.

Fertilityandsurvival-lifttheweaningrate. Hoggetmating–notforeveryfarmbut donewellthisisahugeopportunity.

Ewesize–moderatesizedewesweaning theirweightormore.

Growthrateandmeatyield–heritable traitswhichcanbeselectedfortogetmore lambsonthetruckearlier.

Systemschanges

Adaptingmanagementwillallowgenetic potentialtoberealized.Subdivision,stock policy,grazingmanagementallneedto comeunderscrutinyandbeflexible.Itis notasimplefixbutitispossibletoreduce numbers,feedthembetter,growthem fasterandreduceinputs.

Efficientproductionisthekeytoprofitable farms.Don’tletthecurrentmethane madnessgetyoudown.

Lookattheopportunityonfarmfor increasingefficiencyandfutureproofing yourbusiness.

Keepdoingwhatwedosowell,producing proteinfromgrasswithagreathistoryof adaptationandprogressivethinking.

AlexanderFarmingGeneticsLtd.

Craig&TinaAlexander

BucklandRoad,RD2Matamata

Ph: (07)8881703 •Mob: 021746646

email: calexander@outlook.co.nz

MaungaAwaStation

FarmManager:GavinMutch Ph: (06)2127540

email: maunga.awa.station@gmail.com

MarchantFarms

DimmockRoad,RD1Pokeno,Maramarua

John&JanMarchant

Ph: (09)2325613 •Mob: 0274423130

email: marchant.farms@farmside.co.nz

Greg&AngelaMarchant

Mob: 0272815386

email: gregm@farmside.co.nz

GlenbrookLtd.

Adrian&JennySavannah

Glenbrook,RD3Kaukapakapa

Ph: (09)4276393 Mob: 0274816599

email: info@glenbrookfarms.co.nz

KereruStationRomneys

BobSteed/Rhys&HelenDackers

136ParadiseRoad,RD1Tangiteroria

Ph: (09)4332616 •Mob: 0272415564

email: helsnz1@xtra.co.nz or kereru_station@xtra.co.nz

ArahuraSheepGenetics

PaulCrick&DayanneAlmeida

1683LongbushRoad,RD4Masterton5884

Mob: 0274504085

email: arahuragenetics@gmail.com

‘SheepoftheFuture’ TRANSFORMATIONALFOR

Sheepwithfinerwool,greatertolerance forhotweather,topmeatqualitytraits, andlowermethaneemissions.Thatis thevisionforPāmuandpartnerswhoare workingonsheepgeneticadvanceswith potentiallyhugebenefitsforAotearoaNew Zealand.

Pāmu(LandcorpFarmingLtd),theMinistry forPrimaryIndustries(MPI)andFocus Genetics,aPāmusubsidiary,withsupport fromAgResearch,havejoinedforcesonthe innovative‘SheepoftheFuture’programme.

Thevisionincludesfinerwoolgenetics (20-25micron)thatcanbefarmedbeyond thearidareasthathavetraditionallybeen

thehomeforMerinosheep,advancesin strongwoolbreedstoincreasedisease tolerance,low-inputtraitstomakefarming lesscostly,continuedbreedingselection foranimalgrowthandmeatqualitytraits, andforrumenfunctionwithlowerlevelsof methaneemission.

PāmuCEOMarkLesliesaid:“This groundbreakingseven-yearinitiativeaims totransformsheep-basedproduction systems.Itwilllowerproductioncosts andenhancefarmingbusinesses’viability whilecontributingtoNewZealand’s environmentalandclimateobligations.”

ProgrammeManagerNataliePickering

fromFocusGeneticssaidclimatechange islikelytohaveamarkedimpactonfarms producingwoolandredmeatinNew Zealand.

“Geneticsprovidesanopportunityto selectanimalsthatarebetteradaptedtothe changingenvironmentthroughdiseaseand heattolerancewhilemaintainingproductive performanceandloweringemissions.”

Theproject,partiallyfundedthrough theSustainableFoodandFibreFutures fund,isexpectedtorununtil2029.The collaborationseesaninjectionof$10.5 millionwhichwillenablebenchmarking, breedcomparisons,researchonnewtraits,

andbreedingprogrammestodevelopfinewoolandno-woolsheepinNewZealand.

AtPāmufarmAratiatianearTaupō,the teamisworkingwithafine-woolbreeding flockalongsideacontrolRomneyline. Measurementsforproduction,reproduction, survival,disease,andfine-woolattributes arebeingconducted,alongwith environmentalassessments.Theobjective istoidentifyfine-woolattributessuitable foratemperateenvironment.

“WorkingwithDrTriciaJohnson,Team LeaderAnimalGenomicsatAgResearch,we sawanopportunitytogeneratearesource toenableustoinvestigatethegenetic

variationintheno-woolandfine-wool breeds.AgResearchhasdonegreatworkon methane,residualfeedintakeandgenomic selectionfortheNewZealandsheep industryandwecanleveragethiswork,” Nataliesaid.

Theprogrammealsoincludesa feasibilitystudyledbyAgResearch’sDr KathrynMcRae,whowillexploreimmune competenceinNewZealandsheep.Immune competenceistheabilityoftheanimalto mountahealthyimmuneresponsefollowing exposuretobacterialorviralinfection. Thestudyaimstodefineameasurement toolforimmunecompetencethatcanbe incorporatedintobreedingprogrammes. Partoftheprojectincludesproducing

sheepforsub-tropicalareaswitha focusonmeatproduction.Theteamhas establishedano-woolbreedingflockat PāmufarmKapiroinKerikeri,alongwith acontrolRomneyline,tocapturedataon traitsaroundproduction,reproduction, survival,disease,andno-woolattributes. Researcherswillalsotakeemissionsrelatedenvironmentalmeasurements, includingresidualfeedintakeandmethane outputs.Thisworkstreamwillresultinthe developmentofamethodformeasuring heattolerance,whichwillbeacrucialtrait asourweatherbecomesmoreextreme.

PāmuHeadofVentures,JimInglis,says puttingtheprojecttogetherhastakenthree yearsofplanningandpreparation.

“It’sgreattogettothisnextstageandbe abletodevelopnoveltraitsforthebenefitof allbreedersinNewZealand,”hesaid.

“Thefine-woolflocksatAratiatiaand theno-woolbreedingprogrammesat Kapiroandhavenowundergonemultiple matingcycles.Wehavegoodrelationships withbreedersacrossNewZealandand internationallywhichhavefacilitatedtheir establishment.Variousbreedshavebeen integratedintotheprogrammes,adding geneticdiversity,andexpandingthescope oftheresearch.”

Thankstoconnectionsandrelationships withstrong-wool,fine-woolbreedersand no-woolbreeders,thedatageneratedfrom

thisworkwillflowthroughNewZealand’s nationalsheepevaluationprogramme NProve,managedbyBeef+LambNZ,and willbeavailabletoallfarmers.Jimsays thetraitsmeasuredwillalsobevaluable forstrongwoolbreederslookingtomake strongwoolfarmingmoreprofitableand sustainable,andthattheteamarelooking forwardtoholdingopendaystodiscussthe workbeingdone,andhowitwillfitintofarm systemchanges.

“Theprogrammedemonstratesthe collectiveeffortofindustrystakeholders andresearcherscommittedtoshapingthe futureofsheep-basedproductionsystems inNewZealand,”hesaid.

Asheep FORALLENVIRONMENTS

ByChrysAyley

TheannualNorthIslandPerendaleRam Saleisagoodopportunityforbreeders toselectfromsomeofthetopgenetics currentlyavailable.

Thisyearisthe30thsaleandthefifth beingheldinTeKuiti.Priortothatitwas heldinTaihape,SaleSecretaryPhilip Brandonsays.Therewillbe10breeders thisyearandit’sPhilip’sjobtoorganiseand managethesale.

Inthepasttheauctionlimitwassetat 100ramsbutthisyeartheyexpecttherewill be60ramsforsaleandtheyrepresentthe top20%ofeachbreedersflock.Originally

therewereabout16breedersofferingrams forsalebutsadlythenumbershavedeclined dueinparttofarmsbeingconvertedtopine forests,Philipsays.

TherewillbebreedersfromHawke’sBay, Gisborne,Manawatu,theKingCountryand Taranaki.Notonlyisitagoodchancetobuy atauctionbutit’sagreatopportunityforthe breederstogettogetherandhaveabitof“a powwow.”

Thesalesoriginsgobackto1993when breedersexhibitedattheNationalField Days.A“commercialman”askedifhe couldbuytopramsatauction.Fourofthe breedersatthestand,DavidWalsh,the lateJeffProffit,GilbertTimmsandGraeme Maxwellthoughtitagoodideaandso thefirstannualPerendalesalewasborn.

Taihapewaschosenasthevenueasitwasa centrallocation,Philipsays.

Philiphasbeenfarmingallhislifeandhas beenlocatedatAwaroaStud,onWaitomo ValleyRoad,10kmfromOtorohangafor adecade.Hereheruns500ewesand60 tradeheifers.

PreviouslyPhilipandhisbrotherMurray workedtogetheratthefamilyfarmon HauturuRoadintheKingCountry.Romney’s weretheirbreedofchoiceformanyyears. PhilipstartedbreedingPerendalesin1990 andwasencouragedbyalocalPerendale breederJohnSpellmantoregisterhisflock, whichhedidin1997.

Thepropertyis130haofhalfflatandhalf steep,virtuallyuncultivable,landandit’s

a“veryhot”eczemaarea.Sporecountis veryhighandPhiliphasbeenbreedingfor eczematolerancefor20years.Hislevelof dosingis0.56mg/kgofliveweightdoseand he’sjustwaitingfortheresultsalthoughthis isthesecondhighestscoreforPerendalesin NewZealand.

Breedingobjectivesincludebreedingfor eczematolerance,conformation,fertility andagoodfleeceofwool.Theyalso undertakeeyemusclescanningformeat qualityand5KDNAtesting.

Andsowhatarethebenefitsof Perendales?Philipsaysthey’regood foragerswiththecheviotforvigourand they’regoodtomuster.“Theymightbeabit flightybutthey’regoodmothers.”

Handypieceinvented BYAFARMERFORFARMERS

Necessityisthemotherofinvention, orsotheysay,andoneinvention,the HandypiecedevelopedbyDaveShort, isaclassicexampleofbringingtogether engineeringknowledgewithbasicneedson thefarm.

Davewasasportscarenthusiast.After hisOEinEnglandin1985heimporteda LamborghiniCountachmouldfromtheUK andproduced80replicasfromhisFeilding property.

Anarminjuryandhavingayoungfamily ofthreetosupportsentDaveintohis workshoptobuildsomethingthatcouldhelp he,andhisdad,overtheproblemof“pulling animalsovertheboards.”

AndsothefirstHanydypiecewasborn in2005-hisfirstportableelectricsheep shearerandcrutcherwhichquicklyfound favourwithmanyotherfarmers.

Handypieceofferscrutchingandelectric shearingequipmentthat’sspecifically designedtobenefitthefarmer‘outtheback’ awayfromtheshedsandwithnomains powerrequired.

In2006,therevolutionaryportable sheepshearinghandpiecewonthecoveted SupremeInnovationAwardforprototypesat theNationalAgricultureFieldDays,Mystery Creek,andin2009thewinningawardfor innovationattheSheepvention,Australia.

Overtheyearstherehavebeen improvementsintechnologyandDave hasappliedseveralmodificationstohis invention.

TheHandypieceislightweightandslimso

userswillsoonnoticethereliefitbringsto handsandfarming.

Thegearcaneveneasilydealtofly-strike! It’sportableanddesignedtocopewith harshfarmingconditions.Thefurtheryou arefromtheshedsorthepower,themore handythispieceofKiwiingenuitybecomes.

TheHandypieceistheRolls-Royceversion ofportableshearingandtailtrimming equipment,andyetisstillavailableata reasonableprice.

Beingatraditionalhandpiece,ittakesall standardcombsandcuttersofanybrand theuserchooses.

TheHandypiecealsocanbecustomised forlefthandusersoramodelmadewiththe cordoutofthemiddleofthemotor,which isespeciallydesignedforsituationswhere theHandypiecewillbeusedbyrightandleft handusers.

Worldleadingintechnologythenewpro canboast1.3Nmoftorque,1.4kgofweight andspeedadjustablefor2600rpmthrough to3500rpm.

Thebrushlessmotormeansthebattery lastsevenlongerasitispossibletocrutch upto300-400sheepfromonecharge.

Handypiecehasamultitudeofuses,from daggingandcrutchingtotrimmingcows tailsandvetstestingdeerforTB,andnow withthevariablespeeditisperfecttoshear Alpaca.

TheextremequietoftheHandypiece wheninuseislessstressfulforanimals thanotherclippers-ofbenefitall-round bothtoanimalandoperator.

1.CrossbreedingwithLincolncanincreasewoolproductionby upto23%inonecross.

2.Bringwoolproductionbacktoarespectablelevelinonecross overanybreedinoneyear.

Ten+yearsquickerthananycomparativewoolbreed. “Guaranteed”

3.RamsavailableinCentralHawke’sBay,truckedtoanypartof NZwithonephonecall.

4.LargestFlockinNZ2000PurebredEwebaseallowsselection for:

a.Commercialtraitsi.e.openface,clearpoints,hightwinning (alsowillbeexaggeratedbyhybridvigourfromcrossing withyourflock)

b.Selectionforwormtolerancefor46years.

c.Easycaretraits.Selectedforcommercialproductiontraits notshowtraits.BoldupstandingEwes.

d. Highyieldingwoolclip,averagingyield83%.Whenrunin conjunctionwithourRomneystudfortenyearsLincolnswool yieldwas1-4%greaterthanourRomney’s.

HandypiecerepairmanagerJakeShort triallingHandypieceintheFeilding homeyards.

SamanthaRustusesHandypiecewhile shearingonlifestyleblocks.

Turiroa- NOFUSSRAMS

Turiroahavebeenbreedingquality terminalramssince2000andis gearinguptohosttheirsixthannual onfarmTerminalRamSaleonThursday December7at11.00amwithviewing from9.00am.Theywillputforwardupto 120Ramsthisyearcomprisingofthefour breeds:Southdown,Tigers(Southdownx

SthSuffolk),SuftexandBelsuftex(¾Suftex, ¼Beltex).

StudmasterAndrewPowdrellsaidthe ramshavecomethroughanextremely wetsummerandwinterbuthaveheldup particularlywell.“Terminalramslikedryfeet butwehavenotbeenabletoprovide

Glenview Romneys

Bredforhighperformanceand‘castiron’constitution

WedeliberatelychallengeourRomneysbyfarmingthemonunfertilisednativehill countryinordertoprovidethemaximumselectionpressureandexpose‘soft’sheep.

thatduetothewetconditions,howeverthe ramshavetakenitintheirstrideandthey havejustbeenshornandsortedintotheir mobs.”

“Alargeportionoftheramshavebeen usedashoggetseitherhereorleasedto clientsandyoucanhardlytell,theyhave bouncedbacksowellwhichiswhatwelike

tosee.It’seithersinkorswimhere.Wecull themhard,runandlambthestudeweson steephillcountryandhavedonesoforover 20years.Itsortsthemoutprettyquickly,” Andrewsaid.

ThePowdrell’shaveinvestedheavilyin genetics,sourcingtheirsiresfromafew targetedstuds.Theystrivetobreedasolid,

FERTILITY

GROWTHRATE &SURVIVAL

Overthelast20yearsewes(including2ths)havescannedbetween 190%and215%despitedroughts.

Overthesameperiodweaningweights(adj.100days)have exceeded36kgfromalambing%consistentlyabove150%.

•AllsheepDNAandSILrecorded.

•Ramhoggetshavebeeneyemusclescannedsince1996.

•Ewehoggetshavebeenmated(toRomneysires)forover20years.

•Breedingprogrammeputsanemphasisonwormresilience-lambsdrenchedonlyonce priortoautumn.FEtoleranceintroducedmorerecently.

•Scoredfordagsandfeetshape.SiresDNAratedforfootrotandcoldtolerance.

•Weare‘handson’breederswithafocusondetailandquality.

•Wetakeanuncompromisingapproach-sheepmustconstantlymeasureup.

We aim to breed superiorRomneysthatproducethemostfromtheleastinput.

Glenview Romneys & South Suffolks

TuriroaTiger2thrams.

AndrewandTraceyPowdrellwithsomeoftheirTuriroaTiger2thrams.

deepbodiedramswithgoodfeetthatwill leavevigorous,fastgrowingprogeny.

“Welikethatearlymaturingtypeof sheep,nottootallbutchunky.Siremust havetheabilitytoleaveprogenythatcan bekilledatlightweightsifneedbeortaken throughtheheavyweightsastheseason dictates.Withoureverchangingseasons weneedtoprovideflexibilitytoourclients,” Andrewsaid.

Thecouplewhoownandoperatethe topperformingTuriroaAngusStudwillbe celebrating80yearsofbreedingnextyear andincorporatemanyoftheprinciples theyuseforthecattlewiththesheep. Thefeedbacktheyaregettingfromclients confirmsthattheyhaveheadeddownthe rightpathandlastyeartheysold170rams attheironfarmsaleandrightthroughto Marchpre-mating.

Thefourbreedsalloffersomething slightlydifferent.TheSouthdownsarebig andmodernandleaveamazinglambsthat weighlikeleadandareearlymaturing.

TheTigersaretoughandhavethebest oftheSouthdowncharacteristicsasfaras carcassgobutwiththeaddedadvantageof hybridvigourandbrownface.Theserams arebecomingextremelypopularandtheir progenyareamazinglambsthatgrowfast andyieldwell.“Wereallyratethem,”Andrew said.

TheSuftexarebigandsolidandleavea fastgrownleanerlambthatcangrowoutto bigweights.TheBelsuftexareaSuftexwith acrossofBeltexinthem.TheBeltexhave addedthicknessandhaveincreasedmuscle anddepth.Wehavebeenpleasedwiththis crossaswell.

Turiroahasastronglocalclientalbut ramshavegoneasfarafieldassouthern

DannevirkeandWaikato.“Someguyshave beenwithusfor20yearsandwereally appreciatethissupport.Welookforwardto catchingupwithregularsinDecemberand hopefullysomenewonesaswell,”Andrew

said.

AllramsareBrucellosistestedfree, palpated,5in1vaccinatedandinspected soundpriortosale.

TuriroaSuftexandBelsuftex2thrams.

TuriroaSouthdown2thrams.

Preparingfora CHALLENGINGSEASON

PatrickCrawshaw DirectorBeef+LambNewZealand

Thereissomecruelironyinthataswe continuetorebuildourfarmsinthe wakeoflastsummer’stwocyclones, wearealsopreparingfordrought.

ThepredictedElNinoweatherpatternis alreadymakingitspresencefelt,butitdoes giveustimetoconsiderwhatmanagement strategieswecanputinplacetomaximise returnsfromthisyear’slambcropwhile protectingthefutureperformanceofour capitalstock.

Eweswentintomatingingoodcondition andthis,coupledwiththesettledweather overlambing,suggestswearegoingtosee somehealthylambtalliesatdocking.

Beef+LambNewZealand’sEconomic Servicereportsthatlambingpercentages areexpectedtobehigherthanaverage acrossmostfarmclasses.

ThisistheonepositivefromtheService whichisforecastingsheepandbeeffarm profitabilitytobeataneight-yearlow.

BasedondatagatheredfromEconomic Servicesurveyfarms,the2023-2024 forecastfarmprofitabilitybeforetaxis $88,600(aweightedaverageacrossallfarm classes).Thisisalmost$40,000backfrom thepreviousseasonand$100,000back fromthehighsof2021-2022.

Thebiggestdriverbehindthisdropin farmprofitabilityishighinputprices.

Thelasttimecostsasapercentageof grossfarmrevenuewerethishighwas backin2005-2008.Thishaspushedfarm expenditureupby3percentonlastyearand up16percentfrom2020.

Lambpricesarelikelytobeflatforthe comingseasonalthoughbeefpricesare relativelygood,sodependingonthemixof stockclasses,thesemayhelpbufferlamb prices.

Timingofsalesandexchangerates willalsoinfluenceincome,butB+LNZ’s EconomicServicesaysoverall,farmers willhavelessmoneyintheirpocketsthis season.

Iwaspartofarecentfarmerpanelin oneofBeef+LambNewZealand’srecent

Raisethebaa

SowGrowThrivewebinarseries.Ifyou didn’tjoinanyofthesewebinars,Istrongly encourageyoutofindtheresultingpodcasts onB+LNZ’sKnowledgeHub.

Theyincludeawealthofinformation aboutnavigatingwhatcouldbea challengingseason.Thetake-outsfromthe oneIwasinvolvedwith‘bouncingbaa-cckk fromtoughtimes’includedfocusingon thefactorsyoucancontrol,buildingstrong relationshipswiththoseinvolvedinyour farmbusiness,makingaplan,keeping acloseeyeonbothfinancialandfeed budgetsandconsiderwaysyoucanmake incrementalgainsfinancially.

Gothroughfarminputsline-by-lineand considerwheresmallsavingscanbemade. Theyalladdup.

Usethisseasonasanopportunitytocast acriticaleyeoveryourfarmsystemand instillbusinessdisciplinesthatwillstand youingoodsteadwhenwerecover.

Theexpression“neverwasteagood crisis”comestomindandtherefinements weputinplacenowwillbenefitour businesseswhenwemoveintoanupcycle. Mostimportantly,lookafteryourown mentalandphysicalwellbeing.Getofffarm, meetupwithfriendsandkeeptalking.We areallinthistogether.

been producinghardy,productive hill Meldrumhasbeenproducinghardy,productivehill countryRomneys for53years with 900SILrecordedewes countryRomneysfor53yearswith900SILrecordedewes

HillCountry OMEGA 3

TheHildrethRomney’steamoperating fromGlenrossStationWestof Napier/Hastingsarehavingabumper lambingmeaningthenextcoupleofmonths electronicallyrecording5000lambsahead ofRamsaleswillbebusy…

MAEwesandlambsareboughtinand matchedcarefullytotheirlambsbefore beingelectronicallytagged.Thisyear ewehoggetsandtheirlambswillbeDNA matchedthenrecorded.

HildrethRomneySheepBreeding continuallyuseabalancedapproachto geneticselection.Objectivesremain:

•Amodern,sound,mobile,open-faced clear-featuredeweflock

•Highlyfertile

•SurvivabilityandHardinessinharshhill countryconditions

•Goodmotheringabilitywithhighmilk production

•Testingforparasiteanddisease resistance/resilience

•Facialeczematolerance(testingnowat .62sporidesmin)

•Hildrethsheepachievesalepremiums forstorestockandsurplusbreeding ewes.

SonMarcusisoperationsmanagerwho workswithstaffandfatherDavidwhilstson AngusisaPractisingDoctorinBlenheim whosingsthepraiseswithothersinthe sheepindustryaboutthehighlevelsof Omega3availableinlamb….

“Omega-3fattyacidsareessentialfatty acidsthatthebodycannotproduceonits own.Theyareimportantforhearthealth

brainhealthandreducinginflammation.”

TheheartFoundationrecommendeda dailyintakeofmega-3fattyacidsforadults ofabout200-500mgperday

“Sowhataboutlamb?Grassfedlamb containsonaverage30mgomega-3per 100g.Thisvariesdependingondiet/ environment70-80%,genetics20-30%and whichcutoftheanimalwearetalkingabout forinstanceribchopscontainawhopping

173gomega-3per100g,comparedtoleg roastwhichis100mgper100g.”

“Basicallyyouwouldneedtoeatthe equivalentof2lambchopsperdaytoget 250mgomega-3perday(80gmeatper chopwithoutbone)whichistheminimum oftherangerecommendedbytheheart foundation.Thisisn’timpossible,certainly notforourfamily!”

Rememberhearthealthisalsoaffected bysaturatedfatintakesoifcholesterolor lipidlevelsareanissueforyou,makesure totrimthefat,gettestedregularlyandkeep aneyeonothercardiacriskfactorssuch asbloodpressure.Itisacontentioustopic, butevidenceisalsostartingtosuggestthat refinedcarbohydrates(beer,breadetc.) inconjunctionwithsaturatedfatgreatly increasecardiacandmetabolicrisk.

Marcus,DavidandAngusHildreth.

Salerams.

MCIexpandsits AGRIBUSINESSADVISORYTEAM

TheMCI&AssociatesAgribusiness teamarehighlyskilledinAgribusiness AccountingandAdvisory.Withdecades ofhands-onexperienceworkingboth onandin-farmaswellaspositionsthat supporttheindustry,MCIarepassionate aboutthefarmingindustryandwantto ensureitsfuture.Theteamofferafocuson family&corporategovernance,business strategy,intergenerationaltransition/ businesssuccession,RedMeatFarm systems,dealstructuring,raisingcapitaland formationofequitypartnerships,advisory andcompliance.

MCIbelievesthatprivatelyownedNew ZealandAgribusinessesarecurrentlyfacing atidalwaveofforcedregulation.Assuch, thereisaneedforgreaterindependent advisoryskillstosupportthesebusinesses tomakegoodstrategicdecisions.

Theybelievethemixofadvisoryand accountancyworkperfectlytogetherand areexcitedtosharethattheMCIAdvisory Teamhasseenrecentgrowthwiththe upcomingadditionofAllyApthorptothe team.AllyjoinedMCIinJune;sheisalocal farmerfromPahiatuaandhasjoinedMCI asanAgriAdvisor.Allyhasspentthelast nineyearsonfarmandisamumofthree children.Shehaspreviouslyworkedfor Ravensdownandhasastrongskillsetin environmentalplanninganddeveloping wholefarmsystems.Allyhasastrong desiretohelpfarmerswithherknowledge ofenvironmentalfactorsonfarm,and withfarmsystemstohelpunderpintheir financialperformance.

AllywillberunningMCI’sredmeat discussiongroupandisalsolookingforward toworkingalongsideclientstoassistwith obtainingbankfunding.

ShewillworkcloselywithSeanStafford asMCIexpandsourBusinessAdvisory functionintheTararuaRegion.

Theteamwillbeabletoofferassistance withfarmsystemsintheareasof:

•Developingpoliciestooptimisethe pastureandforagegrowninyourfarm business

oLookingattheproperty’sobjectives. Identifyingwhatthepropertyneeds intermsofcropsandareasof intensification-currentperformance vshowitlooksremodelled.

•Developinglivestockpoliciesto optimisetheperformanceofyourfarm oHowdopoliciescomparecurrently, anddotheylineupwiththe farms’contour,location,rainfall, topography?Aswellasdataanalysis toseethefarms’potential.

•FarmsystemsmodellingusingFarmax, CashManager,FarmFocus,Figured andXero

oUsingsoftwaretoinvestigatehow aproperty’scurrentpolicystacks upagainstwhatthedatatellsus, aswellasworkingthrougharange ofdifferentscenarios.Withour Accountingsoftwaretools,wecan identifyandreportontrendsfor year-on-yearexpensesandprofits.

•SupportingRedMeatFarmers to improvethephysicalandfinancial performanceofthebusinessthrough benchmarkingbusinessperformance aswellassupportinganycapital requirementstobringaventureupto speed.

•FarmSupervision oAssistingbusinesseswithadviceon budgetingandpoliciesonanongoing basis.

ContacttheMCIAgriAdvisoryTeamon either063747059or063767476,or sean@mcia.co.nz

ProjectaimstotakeKiwifarmdogs FROM GOODTOGREAT

Massey’sALRaeCentrefor GeneticsandBreedingisleadinga Government-backedprojecttobreed top-notchworkingdogs.

AgricultureMinisterHonDamienO’Connor announcedthe$1.77millionthree-year projectinJuly,whichissupportedbythe Government’sSustainableFoodandFibre FuturesFund.TheMinistryforPrimary Industriesisalsoco-investingintheproject.

ProfessorMattLittlejohnfromtheALRae Centre,whoisheadingtheproject,saysthe studyseekstounderstandbehaviourtraits, suchasadog’snaturaldrivetoworkstock.

“Thestudywillbethelargesttotryand linkadog’sDNAtoitsworkingperformance andthefirsttomakeuseofnewDNA technologiessuchaswholegenome sequencing.Theprojectisuniquebecause

HeadingdogsandHuntawaysareuniquely Kiwibreeds.ThismeansthatNewZealand farmdogshaven’tbenefitedfromthelarge researchprojectshappeningoverseas,so thegeneticsofthesedogsandrecessive genestheycarryareunknown.”

ProfessorLittlejohnsaysconversations they’vehadwithshepherdssofarhave indicatedthere’sarangeofbehaviourand workingrelatedtraitsthatpeoplewouldlike toseemoreofintheirdogs.

“Ourimmediatefocusistocontinue theseconversationssowecanthennarrow downtraitsweaimtosurveyonalarger numberofdogs.Asidefromworkingability, healthconditionssuchas‘twistedgut’ andjointissueshavealsocomeupalot.

Improvementsinthesetraitswillbenefita dog’slongevityandproductivelife,whichis

anotherareaofconcernraisedbyfarmers.”

Headdsthatunderstandingwhat disease-causingvariantsexistinNew Zealanddogsiscriticaltothiswork.

“Knowingaboutthesevariantsmeans thatDNAdiagnosticscanbeusedby shepherdstoselectthebestparents andhelpmanagerecessivedisease. Understandingthegeneticsofworking behaviourcouldalsoleadtodiagnostics thatallowfarmerstomakeselection decisionsthathelppredictfutureworking performance.Theseapproachesare commonlyappliedinbreedingcattleand sheepandthisprojectaimstolaythe groundworktoallowsimilartoolstobeused bybreedersoffarmdogs.”

TheALRaeCentrewillbeworkingwith

industrypartnersPamu,FocusGenetics, Beef+LambNewZealandandtheNew ZealandSheepDogTrialAssociationto engagefarmersandtheirdogsacrossthe country.

MinisterO’Connorsaystheprojectwill applymethodologycurrentlyusedforelite sheepandcattlebreedingtofarmdogsand minimiseriskwhenselectinganewdog.

“Weknowworkingdogsplaykeyroleson thousandsofNewZealandfarms,helping moveandmusterlivestockacrosssheep andbeefcountry.Agooddogalsodoes wondersforfarmerwellbeing.

“Thisprojectwillbethemostdetailed genomicinvestigationofNewZealand workingfarmdogbreedstodate,with excitingpotentialtoimprovedogs’health, welfareandworkingperformance,”hesays.

SeanStaffordleadstheMCIAgriAdvisoryTeam.

Heavyinvestment PRODUCESTOPRAMS

ShianStudislocated11kmsSouthEast ofTaumarunuiintheKingCountry. Thepropertyconsistsof757hectares whichismediumhillcountrywithafew pumiceflats.Heretheyruncommercial stock,aswellastwosheepstudsRomdales andSouthSuffolks,alongwithanAngus cattlestud.Allthreestudswereestablished sincetheearly1970’s.

Theyholdtwoon-farmauctionsayear nowwithR2yearoldbullsbeingsold inearlyJuneandaramauctioninlate November.

Thisyearwillbetheirthirdyearselling ramsviaanon-farmauctionsystem,after beingsoldbyprivatetreatyinprioryears. Thisdecisionwasbroughtaboutbythe factthattherewasalotlesshandlingwith ramsbeingrunthroughtheyardsseveral timesaweekforprivatesales.Theyputup forauctionapproximately80Romdales, 75SouthSuffolksand15SouthSuffolk xSouthdownrams.Shianhaveinvested heavilyintopsire’sforbothbreedsover recentyearstoproducetopramsfortheir clients,especiallyRomdaleandPerendale

sireswithahigheczematolerance.

ShianhasbeenbreedingRomdalesand testingforeczematolerancesince2014 withgreatsuccess:thisyeartestingat.5. Buttheyneverlosesightofthosecrucial factorsofstructuralsoundness,fertilityand agoodfleece.

“TheRomdaleswebreedstanduptallon theirpasterns,haveniceopenfacesandare cleanaroundthepoints.Theyalsoscanning consistentlyinthemidtohigh180%,”stud masterRobShersonsays.Shianarerunning

350SILrecordedstudeweswhoseprogeny areDNAtestedatdockingtime.

Shianhave250SILrecordedSouthSuffolk studewesthatalsoconsistentlyscanmid tohigh180%andareDNAtested.Therams theyarebreedingarestructurallysound, longanddeepbodiedsheepforproducing thoseheavyearlymaturingfatlambsforthe works.

Thisyear’sramon-farmauctionis Monday20Novemberat12p.m.

WhyIstillbelieveinthewoolindustry AFTER45YEARS

Thenameisfamiliarintheworldofwool, PhilippaWrightisnowinher46thyearof beinginvolvedinthewoolindustry.Starting asashedhandintheheartoftheMcKenzie CountryintheSouthIsland,thenontoclassing someiconicSouthIslandMerinoclips,and finally,thebrokeringsceneinNapier,whichwas andstillistheheartoftheNorthIslandstrong wool.

Inherwords,Philippatalkedaboutwhere woolisheading.

Iboughtintomyownbrokeringcompany inWaipukurau,25yearsagoandamstill there,althoughlivingbackintheBay, commutingtothestorewhilealsoworking fromhome.

Ididnotjointheindustrywithanygreat intentionsotherthantoearnenoughmoney tolivethelifestyleIdesiredatthattime.

Itwasquiteasurprisethatitwasso male-dominatedasIprogressedthrough theranksinmyearlyyears,especiallywith thoseyearsintheshedswhenwomenwere sodominant.

ThiswassomethingIstruggledwith throughoutmy40-plusyearsandsadly therehasnotbeenanotablechangeinthe moreseniorrolestothisday.

IfeelIhaveletthesidedownslightly hereastherereallydoesneedtobeabetter strategyinplacetoencourageandsupport womenintheindustrybeyondmiddle managementandintotheboardroomsso tospeak.

ItstillsurprisesmethatIperseveredfor solong,but,likesomanyinthisindustryit trulydoesgetintoyourblood.

ItequallysurprisesmethatIcanhonestly saythatIhaveloveditandameternally gratefultotheGlobalCampaignforWool,of whichIhavebeenwithfor15yearsandam atrusteeoftheNZCampaignforWool.

Thecampaigntrulyinspiredme andcontinuallyremindsmeofwool’s outstandingattributesanditsimmense valuetotheworld.

Thereispresentlymoretalkinthepublic arenaaboutwoolanditsplightthanIhave seeninyears.

Itfeelsabysmallysadthatithastaken probablytheworstpricedropsIhaveever seeninmycareertocreatethismuchdelayedconversationtobegin,andI sincerelyhopeitisnotalltoolate.

Ihavealwaysandstillverymuchbelieve thatthesaddestdayinourhistorywasthe daythewoolgrowersofNZvotedtofirst stopallmarketingofNZWoolandthen decommissionthewoolboardentirely.

Yes,therewassomeseriousmisuseof fundsandmismanagement,butsurelythis couldhavebeenoverhauledtocreatean enduringlong-termstrategythatcouldhave beenkepttoaccountthroughtheyears ofseriouscompetitionfromthesynthetic industries.

So,hereweare,fightingforourlives tomaintainoneofNewZealand’soldest industries.

Anindustrythatprovidessomany solutionstoourveryrealandserious environmentalandeconomicissues.Iam heartenedbythesuddeninspirationofnew usesandre-creatingofusesformanylongvaluedproductsusingNewZealandstrong wool.

Iamimpressedbytheurgencysensed bygroupstoenlightenandinspirethenext generationstounderstandtheattributesof woolandthemanypossibilities.

Realistically,Idon’tseemygeneration seeingtheresultsofwhatisgoingto beaverylongroadtoputwoolbackto itsrightfulplace,butwhatIdoseeand believestronglyisthatwehaveayounger generationcomingintothiswithverynew eyesandusingtheknowledgethatour generationhasbuiltandhopefullypassed on.

Theyhavethecapabilitiestomovemuch fasterandbefarmoreagilewithtechnology thatjustsimplywasn’tavailabletous.

So,yes,Ibelieveinthefutureofwool, andIknowtheworldneedsitandwillbea betterplacebecauseofit.

Thenextgenerationsdeservetoknow andunderstanditsvalue.

Ihavebeeninitforthelonghaulandwill beuntilIamburiedinmywoolcoffin,so don’tloseheart,alwayschoosewool,and livewell.

ThisarticlefirstappearedinTheCountry.

PhilippaWrightisnowinher46thyearofbeinginvolvedinthewoolindustry.

TheWaipukuraupremises.

TheWrightWoolPillowisfilledwith JomaWool®Pearls;a100%pure crimpedNewZealandwool.