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www.age.co.nz Thursday, September 10, 2020 Meldrum Romney 2th Ewes September 2020.
2020
In July the members of the Wairarapa Romney Improvement Group (WRIG) hosted over 200 guests at the Copthorne Solway Park to mark 50 years since its founding.
WAIR AR APA
Meldrum Romney celebrates half century 2020 has bought about a milestone for Meldrum Romneys which has been breeding Romney Rams for 50 years. John and Carol Wingate, along with daughter Stephanie, farm 537ha (460 effective) sheep and beef property on Castle Hill Road in Alfredton, east of Eketahuna. Meldrum is a rolling to steep hill country property which has been in the Wingate Family since 1883. The property runs 2300 ewes, 900 which are fully SIL recorded. There are also 870 ewe hoggets and 550 ram hoggets are carried through the winter.
A herd of 100 Angus cows and their offspring make up the rest of the stock on Meldrum. Meldrum Stud was started in 1970 by John and his father John Wingate Snr. They started breeding rams to select for animals that would survive and suit the farm environment. Maternal instinct and mothering ability being a key focus throughout the years. “The ewes get no second chances around here” says Steph. “A long-standing policy the Wingates run with is any dry dries or wet dries are culled and 2ths get one chance only as a singleton.
“Longevity of the ewe is highly regarded, but she must perform year-in-year-out and remain structurally sound to stay in the flock.” Growth is another area of focus for Meldrum Romneys. John and Stephanie fatten the bulk of their lamb progeny through Atkins Ranch, with a Global Animal Partnership (GAP4) rated supply programme into the Whole Foods Supermarkets in the United States. GAP4 has high animal welfare and environmental standards and strict compliance requirements. “Because we are fattening our progeny, on farm, on grass, we
50 years of innovative Romney breeding celebrated
know how they grow, and the potential for them to grow. “You would have heard the saying the Romney is the biggest terminal sire in the country?” says Steph. Meldrum Romney are hardy, dual-purpose sheep. Easy lambing with good survivability. They also shift well and adapt to other regional climates. “We sell mainly to loyal local clients from throughout Wairarapa but also send rams down south and into Southern Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu.” • Enquires are always welcome. Contact John or Steph on (06) 375 0602 or email jandcwingate@xtra.co.nz
The anniversary is a significant achievement, not just the group but for the breed, as around 20 per cent of the self-replacing portion of the national ewe flock is influenced by WRIG. The Chairman of the group today is Zandy Wallace who with wife Caroline runs Wai-iti Rams 30km east of Masterton at Wainuioru. He says the founders were “a group of like-minded farmers who were dissatisfied with the status quo and felt the need to improve the breed. “They had the ability and the foresight to sit around the table together and share their collective wisdom, and knowledge and experiences gained.” Continued on page 26
MELDRUM
ROMNEYS
Meldrum has been producing hardy, productive hill country Romneys for 50 years with 900 SIL recorded ewes
TURANGANUI TURANGANUI TURANGANUI ROMNEYS ROMNEYS ROMNEYS
Robust performance selection ensures only the best 2th rams are available for sale Growth rate; fertility; wool; parasite resilience; survivability; easy lambing
“Since using Turanganui rams the incredible mothering ability the Turanganui ewes and survival traits has usmothering to “Since of using rams the incredible mothering “Since using Turanganui rams the enabled incredible achieve 150% toofsale on steep coastal terrain”. ability of the ewes and survival traits has enabled us to us to ability the ewes andexposed survival traits has enabled achieve 150% to 150% sale on exposed coastal terrain”. achieve tosteep sale on steep exposed coastal terrain”. Tony, and Phil Redwood Tony, JoyJoy and Phil Tony, JoyRedwood and Phil Redwood Okoha, Anakoha Bay, Marlborough Sounds Sounds Okoha, Anakoha Bay, Marlborough Sounds Okoha, Anakoha Bay, Marlborough
John, Carol & Stephanie Wingate 06 375 0602 1930 Castle Hill Rd, Eketahuna jandcwingate@xtra.co.nz
Holmes Warren
06 307 7802
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Thursday, September 10, 2020 Wairarapa Times-Age
Continued from page 25 2020
WAIRARAPA
Stud flocks in 1970 were relatively small with a focus on pedigree instead of productive and measurable performance traits, which meant national flock performance had very low genetic gains and hence low productivity improvements. The original members recognised that by pooling resources much more progress could be made. Studs need linkages with other flocks to improve and benchmark their genetics, and breeders working together was not new, Zandy points out. “What has been different about the group has been the scale of our breeding base and the openmindedness to use sciencebased evidence to make good decisions”. “With 32,0000 recorded ewes, and through our sire swapping and robust linkages, we have had fantastic connectedness as a group. And other groups haven’t had the longevity of WRIG.” Genetic linkages among members’ flocks are important so that comparative analysis of all rams used has a robust base upon which to build the breeding values. In the earlier stages WRIG had annual exchanges of ewes among group members, followed
Past, present and founding members attended the 50th anniversary gathering of the Wairarapa Romney Improvement Group.
by the use of AI. Today a formal ram exchange annually among members maintains those strong genetic linkages. The “around-the-table” approach meant the group focused on whatever traits were most significant at the time, Zandy says. For instance, early on there was a focus on lifting fertility and creating repeatable lambing performance through improved mothering ability. “National lamb productivity used to be 70 to 120 per cent in those days, which the group was not satisfied with and wanted to fast-track.”
Another key area of focus was lifting growth rates. So the group had a central growth rates flock based at one of the member’s farms to concentrate on that trait, making massive gains over 20 years until the breed reached a new plateau and the flock was disbanded. The group has been quick to grasp elements of new technology that can give best advantage. For example, all member flocks were part of the original NFRS (National Flock Recording Scheme) which has evolved into SIL today. Over the years the group has been used by the science community to address various
issues relating to genetic improvement. The quality, quantity and breadth of data has made the group an important resource for the entire New Zealand sheep industry. Zandy says the celebrations, which were was financially supported by the John Daniell Memorial Trust, was a hugely positive day. Zandy, who is one of several third-generation WRIG members, believes the group has plenty of life left in it yet. “It will definitely carry on as long as we can see a benefit in it. Going forward I see no reason for the group not to go another 50 years with good young blood coming in.”
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27
www.age.co.nz Thursday, September 10, 2020
Te Whangai More production from less input The breeding philosophy at Te Whangai is very clear. We believe that for commercial farmers to run an ever increasingly more efficient and profitable business they must focus on continuously getting more for less, i.e. more production from less input. Our selection programme works on that principal.
Waipipi Rams focuses on quality and integrity.
Waipipi - Suffolk and Suf-tex terminal sires rates and high yields, with the identifiable black face trait of Waipipi rams the genuine article.
Waipipi Rams is a breeder of terminal sire Suffolk and Suf-tex rams, as well as its own Waipipi Rock Suffolk/Suf-tex cross.
“My rams are terminal sires priced at terminal sire prices, with good feet, good meat, good structure and good constitution breed to what my farmer clients want.”
Established in 1985 by Dan Pearce, the Masterton-based stud is today owned by Sam Pearce, who has carried on his uncle’s reputation for quality and integrity. The terminal rams are bred for fast growth
The late Dan Pearce, founder of Waipipi Rams.
• For more information Phone 027 227 9025 or email trudy16@icloud. com
To make genetic progress, selection must take place in an environment which puts pressure on the traits you want to improve. TRAITS IN FOCUS From 1970, the immediate focus was to lift fertility and develop an easy care animal. This was the same for most modern breeding groups. By the early 1990s the average “number of lambs born” to the recorded ewes was over 190% as only twinning two tooths were retained. Fertility, survival and milking ability were strongly entrenched in the flock. The 1990s saw the beginning of a new and big effort to select sheep that would continue to grow while under a summer/ autumn internal parasite challenge.
years and involves regular weighings of undrenched hoggets through the autumn. Wool weight still plays an important part in our sire selection and all ram hoggets are side sampled, with the long term aim of being able to put a true value on the key processing attributes of bulk, micron, colour and yield. With the side sampling information we can assist you to lower your micron count and target higher value per kg. Longevity has always been a focus. It is more efficient to carry a high producing older ewe than extra ewe hoggets and also allows heavier culling of replacements. Recorded ewes are not culled for age, rather just production. We are embarking on a programme to incorporate FE tolerance into our genetic offering while still retaining the key attributes of the Te Whangai flock.
Consistent with our philosophy, this selection must take place in a known parasite challenging environment. A comprehensive programme developed by AgResearch has been in place for 26
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Thursday, September 10, 2020 Wairarapa Times-Age
2020
EID tagging proving successful
“There is no double handling the data and it considerably reducing the time it takes to complete the paperwork side of things. It’s a much more streamlined, accurate and efficient genetic recording process.”
Russell and Pam, together with son Andrew and wife Katherine, are owners of Twin Farm TEFRom and Suftex Ram Stud. WAIRARAPA
Enjoying a mild winter in Southland this year, they are going into lambing with good grass growth, and anticipate a good lamb survival rate, especially if this good weather continues.
The Twin Farm TEFRom breed is certainly popular. It is soughtafter for its worm resistance, meat yield, sound structure, wool quality and milking ability in late lactation of which the three mixed breed holds.
This is a welcome relief to the sheep breeding family, compared with the past couple of drought-affected seasons they have experienced.
Aligning with their passion for good genetics, Andrew and Russell are enjoying the benefits of the EID tag technology.
Twin Farm is on 1850 hectares with 6800 TEFRom ewes and 1900 hoggets in the Waimea Valley, Southland. TEFRom sheep are a combination of quarter Texel, quarter East Friesian, and half Romney. They also farm 500 hinds, 500 cattle and harvest 230 hectares of barley. Andrew’s father Russell introduced the TEFRom sheep breed more than 20 years ago. “You feed all sheep the same, so you want to be feeding the sheep with the best genetics”, says Andrew.
They introduced the Allflex Rapid EID tags in 2013 to their farming operation. This has allowed them to become more efficient and accurate when scanning and recording the data of their stud flock. “We tag them at birth when they’re young enough to catch, and also grade the ewes for udder confirmation, teat placement and monitor their temperament,” says Andrew. “We then match the ewes’ visual and EID tag against the lambs’ EID Rapid Tag. Then each night we upload that data, which updates the SIL’s (Sheep Improvement Ltd) database records. The process takes very
little time compared to how we used to record the data.”
he gets from his Allflex Identification specialist, Allflex Identification Commercial Manager Steve Kelly who is based in Gore.
Before they started using EID tags, when weighing or recording, Andrew and Russell would have to manually read out the ewes’ or lambs’ visual number and then manually type it into the computer, along with handwritten weights or data at the end of often long days. “This took ages and left room for human error,” says Andrew. “Now we allocate the EID tag as we tag the lambs and match it up against the mothers’ visual and EID tag, ensuring correct parentage is recorded in the paddock at birth. “There is no double-handling the data and it considerably reduces the time it takes to complete the paperwork side of things. It’s a much more streamlined, accurate and efficient genetic recording process,” explains Andrew. The EID tags provide Andrew and his team with an effective farm management tool especially when drafting rams
“He understands our business and we can call him and know he’ll pop down to the farm to ensure everything runs smoothly.” Andrew believes introducing the RapID EID technology into his farming operation has given him greater genetic recording accuracy and sped up the process hugely. and ewes for mating, sexing lambs and drafting lambs out to cull. They find the Allflex RapIDMactic applicator very effective and easy to use. “The RapID tags come in strips of 20 so it’s a real time-saver when you’re tagging close to 200 lambs a day… quick to reload the strips and easy, compact and comfortable to use.” Andrew also enjoys the support
Owner Andrew Welsh of Twin Farm TEFRom and Suftex Ram Stud EID tagging two lambs as their mother watches.
He also acknowledges he wouldn’t consider himself particularly tech savvy but admits it’s pretty straightforward! Having the electronic weighing scales which assigns the data to each RapID tagged sheep is particularly useful come Ram selection time. The family have gone one step further and equipped their woolshed with a TV screen so when buyers are viewing and
selecting the rams they would like to purchase, they can easily draft them into separate pens and then display that specific ram’s traits and EBV (Estimated Breed Value) on screen. “Our buyers find this particularly useful,” says Andrew. Steve Kelly says “the uptake of EID in stud flocks is increasing every year as the use of technology is becoming more common. “But the exciting part is that we are having increased conversations with commercial sheep farmers around adopting this technology, as they strive for ways to increase profitability of their ewe flocks. “The Allflex RapID tag is the most used tag on the market in this space and with the Allflex name behind it, it is also the most trusted.” Andrew and his family are working towards 110 per cent lambing rate in their hogget’s and a 170 per cent lambing rate in their ewe flocks.
Te Taumata Romney and Border Leicester With all the uncertainty in the world at the moment, it is clear that food production and food security is one of the most important focuses for our world economies.
2019 Te Taumata Border Leicester 2TH Rams.
Good farming practices and good genetics are the key to New Zealand’s future prosperity. At Te Taumata the future is always at the forefront of our sheep and cattle breeding programmes. Our Romney and Border Leicester breeding programmes continue to focus on a balanced set of traits for top performance and profitability, producing easy-doing sheep that can handle the tough seasons and bounce back quickly. We are passionate about our breeding stock and our genetics and take great pride in offering rams that will make our clients more profitable. Ewe production and constitution, longevity, and mothering ability are without a doubt the cornerstones of the Te Taumata sheep flock. It is crucial to get the basics right. Lamb survival and weaning a high percentage of lambs Prime-off-Mum are the result of an efficient and productive ewe flock. Here at Te Taumata we continue to select
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www.age.co.nz Thursday, September 10, 2020
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Te Taumata ewes are run at very high district stocking rates under strictly commercial dryland farming conditions. Bone, constitution, carcass and impeccable structure are particular strengths of Te Taumata Rams. Te Taumata Border Leicesters are ideal for crossbreeding. Romney/Border Leicester crossbred ewes make top mothers. They are highly productive sheep that are sought after and command high prices at sale yards around the country. Romney/Border Leicester crossbred lambs achieve high yielding, prime carcass weights quickly. • To book this season’s rams and for more information contact Alistair on phone (06) 372 7861 or 027 455 0099. Website: www.tetaumata.co.nz Facebook: Te Taumata Genetics
Predictable Profitable Performance Genetics
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Thursday, September 10, 2020 Wairarapa Times-Age
31
www.age.co.nz Thursday, September 10, 2020
ADVERTORIAL
TESTIMONIALS
SUPERIOR YIELD BELTEX – A new breed bought to NZ in 2017 from the UK. Beltex have a double muscling characteristics for superior yield quality. Grassendale took the opportunity at the South Island sale and purchased a purebred Beltex ram to cross with their suftex ° ock. Also purchased was a Su˝ olk/Beltex cross. The Beltex-cross ° ock is share-farmed at Wainuioru where Suftex ewes are mated to both purchased sires. The Beltex in° uence sees the Suftex as ideal for the perfect Sunday roast.
ADDING REAL VALUE TO OUR BUSINESS
Richard, Abi, Luke, 12, Josh, 10, and Sasha, 8.
For the last ÿ ve years we have been using Grassendale Genetics and have been impressed with the results. Grassendale Genetics have added real value to our business, through our consistently high scanning and survival rates. We pride ourselves on being the ÿ fth generation to farm our property and are aware that in order for the farm to be in a good position for the future we need to be continually
developing and working with likeminded businesses. George and Luce at Grassendale Genetics are continually looking to evolve their genetics, are at the forefront of the industry, and are a great ÿ t for our business. Richard and Abi Fairbrother - Awatoitoi
DELIVERING OUTSTANDING RESULTS Mt Wendon Station consists of 1920 hectares of Southland tussock hill country. With only 400 ha grass, 1000 ha native tussock and 500 ha of native beach, running approximately 5000 mixed aged romney sheep, 1400 hoggets and 225 angus/hereford cows. We are the third and fourth generation on the family farm.
GRASSENDALE GENETICS
Grassendale Genetics is a born and bred Wairarapa success story developed with world-leading knowledge and technology to produce ‘2morrow’s performance 2day’.
Hogget mating.
SIL data and performance recording (eye muscle scanning and pelt thickness scanning)
Their philosophy is to breed hardy, resilient, hill country sheep focusing on production, e˜ ciency and structural soundness. Rams that thrive in the tough Wairarapa environment.
ROMNEY is Grassendale’s mainstay breed. They are recognisable by their shape, a good balance between genotype and phenotype and good feet results of the team’s attention to detail and rigorous selection pressure.
Grassendale Genetics is located on the east coast of the Wairarapa in Tinui. It’s a 1580ha summer dry hill country farm with a high wind run.
COOPWORTHS. Proven fertility and mothering ability. ROMWORTHS are built for hill country. They were added to the Grassendale sire o˝ ering in 2009 as the ideal all˙rounder for hill country environments. Increased lambing performance, hardiness, and superior mothering ability are the key selling points. Romworths are proven for producing heavy early lambs.
The stud is run with the commercial ° ock so the environmental and mob pressures ensures only the toughest survive. “We are aiming to breed an e˜ cient high producing genetic package which thrives in our harsh environment, and makes sheep farming easier for our clients” said George.
Severe culling regime on structural soundness, constitution and SIL data.
George and Luces innovative and intense passion in there farming business has been a key factor in there successful win of the 2019 Keinzley Agvet Wairarapa Sheep and Beef farming business of the year. Judges said “there tenacity and desire to achieve their own goals was what set them apart.”
All rams and ewes are tipped over to check feet, with zero tolerance to any feet faults.
Take advantage of expert Wairarapa farming knowledge and hardy stock ready for the conditions. Contact Grassendale Genetics today.
We have also challenged ourselves by closing down our annual store sale, which ran for 42 years, and now our focus has been achieving the Fat Lamb price not Store Lamb Price. Our ÿ rst weaning last year resulted in 25% of our lambs being sent to the works straight away, a great bench mark for future growth. The rams we get to select, we believe are second to none. The biggest in° uence that we can contribute to our farm is through genetics. Grassendale Rams have proven to deliver outstanding results, future prooÿ ng us for the next generation. Steve and Steph Hastie - Mt Wendon Station
RAM AUCTION
RAMS AVAILABLE
FACILITATED BY PGG WRIGHTSON
Will be sold in pairs by Auction
THUR 22 OCT 2020 | 2.30PM (VIEWING FROM 1PM) AT MASTERTON A&P SHOWGROUNDS
• 40 Beltex/suftex • 40 ¼ Beltex/Suftex
YEAR
2019
2017
2015
2013
2011
2009
2007
Beltex and Beltex Suffolk ram sires will be there for viewing.
2005
2019
2017
2015
2013
2011
DPBC - CENTS
YEAR
2009
2007
2005
2003
2001
1999
1997
1995
CENTS 2019
2017
2015
2013
2011
2009
2007
2003
2001
1999
1997
1995
2005
YEAR
SIL Dual Purpose Body Condition Score 400 340 280 220 160 100 40 -20 -80 -140 -200 2003
SIL Dual Purpose Meat Yield 30 10 -10 -30 -50 -70 -90 -110 -130 -150 -170 -190 -210 -230
2001
SIL Dual Purpose Reproduction 300 350 200 150 100 50 0 -50 -100 -150 -200 -250
1999
All ewes run on the class VI & Vii hill country.
1997
1995
Mob pressure, survival of the ÿ ttest.
DPR - CENTS
Steve, Steph, Tash, Julz and Micky Hastie of Mt Wendon Station, Southland.
SUFTEX Meat yield and growth are two of the key selling points for progeny. Sires are selected to produce a presentable black face lamb. As well as soundness, there is a focus on the darkness of the colour.
At Grassendale, the cornerstone principles to successful hill country farming are:
We believe Grassendale Genetics has taken the Romney Ram Stud to another level all together. The selection processes they use, have allowed
us to gain excellent performance from our ewe ° ock: 190% scanning mixed age, 183% Two Tooths.
For more information contact: George Williams, 063726671, 0277267467 Andrew Jennings (ELVIS), 0275946820 Guy Williams 0212409821
JOIN US FOR A BBQ FOLLOWING THE AUCTION
32 2020
Wairere - proven, predictable and profitable
Thursday, September 10, 2020 Wairarapa Times-Age
University of Wairere Class of 2018/19 (From left to right) Arthur Acland, Matt Watson, George Goodall, Kate Robinson, Anna Vaughan, Olivia Rhodes and Samuel O’Fee.
●
Located in medium to steep hill country northeast of Masterton, Wairere has been breeding rams for 53 years. WAIRARAPA
Operating in a challenging, winter wet and summer dry class one wind zone environment, Wairere produces sheep with strong constitution that are accustomed to mob stocking at high commercial stocking rates.
innovators in their farming and sheep breeding activities.
Wairere winters an average of 750kg of live weight per hectare.
The other aspect of the Wairere business that is not often known is its commitment to the education and training of young men and women who enter the pastoral farming sector or want to advance their careers.
Wairere is the most recognised brand in sheep genetics in New Zealand, producing mainly Romney rams but also offers composites, terminal sires, facial eczema tolerant and fine woolled “smart sheep”. The motto of “Proven, Predictable and Profitable” captures the essence of what Wairere Rams achieve for those who use them. Rams have been bred at Wairere since 1967 when John Daniell began performance recording ewes on what was regarded as second class hill country. John’s father Len, who had purchased Wairere from the original settler, John Rutherford, had been breeding rams at Akura on the outskirts of Masterton since 1929. Derek and Christine Daniell are the current owners and third generation of the family to operate the property. Throughout the generations, the Daniell family have displayed a passion for sheep breeding and have been pioneers and
Derek has been honoured for his significant contribution to the New Zealand sheep industry.
The Wairere ram breeding flocks total some 7000 SIL-recorded Romney ewes and a further 3000 Romney ewes in “multiplier” flocks. The composite, terminal, facial eczema and smart wool flocks comprise a further 5000 ewes. The scale of the Wairere ram breeding flocks is an advantage that clients benefit from. It allows heavy culling of under-performing animals, both ewes and rams. Less than 25 per cent of all ram lambs born
are sold as rams meaning that culling and selection pressures are intense. With all sheep at Wairere being mob stocked and rotationally grazed throughout the year, apart from lambing time, Wairere is a rigorous testing ground, ensuring that Wairere sheep have great “shifting ability” and a reputation for being able to recover condition rapidly after tough seasons. Key selection criteria include: ● the requirement for all ewe hoggets retained to be scanned in lamb, (this ensures early maturity and high fertility). ●
for adult sheep to perform without any drench and young sheep to thrive and grow under a minimal drenching regime.
Success breeds success Making your sheepfarming easier and more proÿtable… that’s the mission which drives the thinking and action of our team at Wairere.
Two tooth rams prior to sale in November
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all ewe hoggets have been mated in every year since 1966 and are lambed unshepherded.
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selection for easy care lambing and against bearings has been applied since the flock was established in 1966.
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since 2001 all ram lambs (up to 7000) are ultrasound scanned for eye muscle area each year. (correlated to meat yield) and this measurement is included in the SIL index.
●
Wairere culls heavily for other “nonproductive” traits that increase work. Dags, feet and poor structure are regarded as priorities for culling.
Wairere sells all Rams by private treaty and operates a “price bracket” system whereby clients choose the price they wish to pay and Wairere guarantee that all those purchasing at that price are treated equally, thus allowing the introduction of new clients without any disadvantage relative to existing and long term buyers. Two tooth Rams are sold in November and ram hoggets sold in February. Wairere Rams go to all corners of New Zealand and are now enjoying a growing market in both Australia, UK and South America. With hundreds of satisfied clients, Wairere has the scale, passion and vision to ensure that they meet the needs of sheep producers now and into the future.
This year’s drought illustrates how Motu-nui sheep can survive on less than ideal conditions. Motu-nui Rams is situated 42km east of Masterton at Whareama. Begun by John Le Grove over 40 years ago, the goal of the stud has been to produce a hardy, efficient sheep that can perform under less-thanideal conditions. The foundation of the stud is romney, and this is still their core business. In recent years they have also developed their own high performance maternal breed, branded the “mr”, incorporating Texel, Coopworth and East Friesian genetics into a Romney base. They also sell terminal rams with South Suffolk and Sufftex genetics. They farm on harder hill country in an area known for its tough summer dry and wind. The ewes are put under a lot of pressure, which has produced a hardy type that shifts well to other areas of New Zealand. Someone who knows about farming under tough conditions is client Greg Crombie of Leefield Station in Marlborough. “I have used Jason’s Motu-nui Romney
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rams on various farms I have managed in both the North and South islands. I have always found the rams to be sound and fertile. They carry the genetic potential to produce ewes that can count, and thrive in challenging hill country, delivering continuous performance. Jason drives this with his passion and enthusiasm for the sheep industry. The Motu-Nui Romney genetics have never let me down for over 20 years in NZ!” Jason and his team invite you to see for yourself what they are up to at Motu-nui. They’re hosting an Open Day on Friday 2 October at Ica Station, from 10am onwards. “We’d love to show off our sale stock, demonstrate our computerised selling system based on EID, discuss our latest initiatives in FE resistance, and drive you over the rugged hills where our ewes run, finishing with a barbecue and refreshments in the historic Ica woolshed.” • For more information contact Jason Le Grove phone 027 326 7734 or 06 3723841, email jason@motu-nuirams.co.nz
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www.wairererams.co.nz | 0800 924 7373
Motu-nui Rams
as members of the Wairarapa Romney Improvement Group, considerable effort has gone into improving the saleable meat yield of the Romney flock. With large scale progeny testing having been undertaken from 1994 until 2013.
With over 200 rams progeny tested each year, including some outside sires that provide the opportunity for benchmarking ourselves, and all sires being genomically tested with their pedigree confirmed by DNA, Wairere is focused on improving genetic merit of the most economically significant traits for the benefit of our clients.
Wairere has often been referred to as the “University of Wairere” and has acted as a training ground for literally hundreds of these people over the past 50 years. Just recently Sir Don McKinnon paid the farm a visit. Sir Don worked at Wairere for John Daniell and says that he benefited hugely from that experience 62 years ago.
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www.age.co.nz Thursday, September 10, 2020
Wairere ram hoggets at sale time in Feb
MASTERTON
GREYTOWN
11 Chapel Street P: 06 378 8444
2491 State Highway 2 P: 06 304 8482
www.langlandshonda.co.nz
Motu-nui Rams WWW.MOTU-NUIRAMS.CO.NZ
Jason Le Grove
06 372 3841 | 027 326 7734 jason@motu-nuirams.co.nz www.motu-nuirams.co.nz
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Thursday, September 10, 2020 Wairarapa Times-Age
2020
WAIRARAPA
Rocklea South Suffolk and Poll Dorset In 1999, Simon Prouting followed family tradition and established his own stud farm with a flock of Poll Dorsets. His father Joe had started Rocklea in 1972 with South Suffolks, and when Simon, Fiona and their three young boys moved to Dannevirke in 2008, they added his father’s South Suffolks to the stud, after he retired. Today Rocklea is the largest South Suffolk sheep stud in New Zealand, mating over 550 South Suffolks and 200 Poll Dorset ewes on the 660-hectare farm just out of Dannevirke. Rocklea puts a big focus on early maturing, easy doing, high yielding lambs with high selection pressure, Simon says. A commercial farmer as well as stud breeder, Simon uses good old-fashioned sheep farming sense as well as modern measurement tools to produce the sorts of rams commercial farmers are looking for. “We do a lot of DNA testing through Lincoln College for foot rot resistance. All sires are
Worm-free sheep cut hill
DNA tested and 20 per cent of the progeny we sell are also DNA foot scored. All ewes are registered with SIL and all rams are on the SIL index. “All the rams are eye muscle scanned before they get to 200 days. We like to scan in early autumn to identify the early maturing, high growth rate sheep, with high eye muscle, meaning good yielding lambs, so farmers can get their lambs off as quick as they can and get another lot through before the next winter, if that is a requirement.” While most Rocklea rams are sold to be used over commercial flocks, every year Simon sells a small number of his best rams to other studs.
Hill country sheep farmers have known hard times in the past, but the combination of severe droughts, the lowest wool prices for decades, and the virus pandemic could drive many out of sheep to be replaced by trees and bees. It’s a worrying prospect as farm inputs have not reduced in price, especially drench of which there are over 40 products on the market, heavily promoted by five major international pharmaceutical companies. Their mantra is that you can’t farm without drench – despite pioneering work by a small number of breeders in New Zealand. One of these is Melvin Forlong of Fernleaf Romneys on steep Taumarunui hill country.
In recent years he has been using Texels to produce a small number of South Suffolk/Texel and Poll Dorset/Texel rams for sale.
Of all the young rams coming through that will be on offer for sale this year only 6 per cent have ever been drenched, and they only ever had one drench.
Simon and Fiona welcome on-farm inspections and will be holding an on-farm auction on Friday 4th December.
Melvin believes they could have been fine without a drench, and that it might have been his concern at the prospect of leaving them undrenched through what has been perhaps the most difficult autumn we
• For further information please contact Simon. Phone 06 374 3661. Email: prouting@inspire. net.nz. www.rocklea.co.nz
13THANNUAL
ON FARM RAM SALE
110 South Suffolks, 35 Poll Dorsets and 25 Texel Cross Rams up for Auction
have ever farmed through. He says the summerautumn dry, coupled with the difficulty of getting stock away put tremendous pressure on autumn management. Melvin can show how Fernleaf sheep are improving noticeably over the past decade as genetic improvement is not a fast business. He used to be so excited when a small number of undrenched young hoggets at nine months had less that 1000 eggs per gram (epg) FEC (Faecal Egg Count), but now this had dropped to only get 6 or 8 over 1000 epg. This year FEC tests have been done six weeks earlier and the results are around 31 per cent with zero epg and a good proportion at less than 200 epg. “Many of this season’s young rams that were culled in fact did cope well with the worm
HEALTHIER STOCK FOR LESS WORK & MORE PROFIT!
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www.age.co.nz Thursday, September 10, 2020
country costs Undrenched ram lambs late autumn.
challenge, but ended up quite small. “In other words they put all their effort into overcoming the worm challenge but didn’t grow out well enough. “Our retained ewe lambs have only ever had one drench and have done well considering the difficult season.” Fernleaf has 45 years intensive breeding with SIL, 40 years facial excema tolerance, and 25 years breeding for resistance to parasites, the past 15 intensely. “Our family has old rams every year for 115 years, with a replacement guarantee for all rams sold.” • For more information contact Melvin & Carolyn Forlong, 0800 3376 5323 or 0210 275 3847, fernleaf.farm@xtra.co.nz, www.fernleafromneys.nz • Follow un on Facebook
Longview Perendales Longview Perendales was registered with the New Zealand Perendale Society in 1986 with 160 homebred ewes. The stud ewes are run with a large commercial flock on Rangiora Trust, a 2121ha farm situated in behind Tutira, Hawkes Bay.
“We have been using Longview Perendales for the last eight years and they are very well suited to our hard hill country. They perform very well with fertility, weight gain, hardiness, and have a high worm tolerance. We would happily recommend to anyone wanting a great all-round performer.” – Pukenui Station
that had a good jacket of medium wool and regularly reared twins or better. Our focus changed to incorporate new challenges in sheep farming. We have been worm tolerance testing our stud flock since 1994 and now test both ewe and ram lambs every February. This has noticeably improved the commercial flock health and ewe deaths are not common.
Rangiora comprises mainly Taupo pumice soil. The terrain is mixed from some flat to medium and steep hill country.
We started facial ecezma tolerance testing nine years ago. This year we will dose at .46 or above.
We originally focused on breeding a ewe
We are producing sheep with worm
tolerance - testing for 27 years for fertility, survivability, wool, muscling and meat yield. Assisted by Techion Group for parasite resistance and production. Zoetis for 5K&50K, DNA tests used to identify best genetic sires to use within our stud. Shepherd sire identification at lambing. • We welcome any enquiries regarding viewing the current season’s sale flock Stud masters Graeme and Sue Maxwell. • Phone 06 839 7412 Email rangioratrust@ gisborne.net.nz, 535 Heays Access Road, Tutira, PO Box 23 Rangiora Trust, Tutira 4162.
P PE ER RE EN ND DA AL LE ES S
Flock 489 SIL Recorded
• Eye muscle scanned • SIL Recorded • All Sires are DNA foot scored Friday 4th December 2020 Time: 1pm. Viewing from 10.30am onwards 1529 Ngapaeruru Road, RD3 Dannevirke Simon Prouting 06 374 3661 | prouting@inspire.net.nz
Tom Suttor Neville Clark Callum Dunnet
027 6164504 027 5956537 0275870131
• Outstanding resistance to worms & facial eczema • High fertility • Growth rate and ewe performance • Structural soundness & healthy feet • Fleece weight and quality
Please contact us Melvin & Carolyn Forlong 0800 3376 5323 or 0210 275 3847 fernleaf.farm@xtra.co.nz www.fernleafromneys.nz
or NG f MA I T S TE ZE L EC t .46 A I C FA ance a r Tole
36 2020
WAIRARAPA
Improved stock cradle makes life easier Two backstops are bolted to the side of the race – one near the front and one at the back.
A new, improved design for stock cradles is now available to help pregnant and mothering ewes. Cross-frame cradles for supporting pregnant ewes have been around for many years, says Wairarapa animal handling inventor and former shearer Sean Blenkin.
Each backstop has an arm that the sheep pushes past as they go up the race. The arm then simply falls back to its default position behind their rear legs.
Sean has brought their best features together in a design made for today’s sheep.
Because it uses gravity, the backstop doesn’t have springs that can be damaged or lost.
With farmers aiming for multiple births, pregnant ewes are much heavier and their udders bigger.
Simple but effective, the backstops are made heavy duty and will last a lifetime.
The Stock Ezy cradle frame is width and height adjustable, supporting ewes from 40kg to 120kg. It is lightweight and easyto-use with breathable fabric.
Stock Ezy is a new family-owned business. Sean was a shearer as well as working on farms in Wairarapa, and for an animal handling company in Australia.
Farmers can use it for sleepy sickness, cast ewes, bearing ewes, and mothering on lambs.
He has maintained a passion for the industry and is now working with local farmers and shearing contractors to improve, perfect and develop new products.
When the farmer comes across a downer on his daily rounds, he can secure it in the cradle. He then treats the ewe, carries on with his work, and returns later to release the animal when it is more stable on its feet again. Sean has also invented an improved backstop for sheep races.
STOCK EZY
Thursday, September 10, 2020 Wairarapa Times-Age
The designs come from years of watching the behaviour of farmers and animals, and a good dose of common sense. • You can see videos of them in action at www.stockezynz.com or phone 0800 785 399 / 0800 stk ezy.
SHEEP HANDLING GEAR EWE CRADLE
gets them off the ground & going again!
Lodge Southdown Stud 107 years of Southdown breeding Located in Rangitumau, Masterton, the Lodge Southdown Stud has been breeding Southdown sheep since 1913.
“We use Southdown rams over our 1500 B flock Romney ewes. Lambs are full of hybrid vigour from birth and 70 per cent of our lambs are sold prime at 18kgCW by the end of February.” Rob and Lucy Thorneycroft believe the early maturing nature of the breed, and therefore, the ability to get lambs away early off their mothers, is the Southdown breed’s true strength. The high meat yielding attributes of the Southdowns result in
higher value lambs out the gate. “We use Southdown rams over our 1500 B flock Romney ewes. Lambs are full of hybrid vigour from birth and 70 per cent of our lambs are sold prime at 18kgCW by the end of February,” says Rob. “There’s no need to shear the lambs that we carry into early winter as the wool length is still short, saving on work and costs.” The Lodge Stud is proud to offer structurally sound, well-muscled rams with good length, thickness and vigour. • Rams are available from November. Enquiries are welcome anytime. • Rob & Lucy Thorneycroft. Phone 027 203 5921/06 372 5702
SOUTHDOWNS THE TERMINAL SIRE OF CHOICE LODGE SOUTHDOWN STUD ARE PROUD TO PRODUCE OUTSTANDING RAMS FOR GROWTH & QUALITY
FREE DELIVERY WAIRARAPA WIDE
SHORT & LONG BACK STOPS
Enquiries welcome anytime
makes stock handling a breeze!
LUCY AND ROB THORNEYCROFT: 027 203 5921 | 06 3725702
EZY ON YOUR STOCK, EZY ON EWE
415 BLUFF RANGITUMAU ROAD, MASTERTON
Call Sean Blenkin 0800 785 399 stockezy@outlook.co.nz www.stockezynz.com
57 YEARS OF BREEDING Quality is #1, fully SIL recorded GROWTH - DO ABILITY - FERTILITY SURVIVABILITY - SOUNDNESS 24 years using only Wairarapa Group Bloodlines ENQUIRIES ALWAYS WELCOME Keith Higgins 06 372 2782 Wainuioru