18 | Early adoption of polled merino genetics The farm runs 3000 merinos including 1800 ewes, of which 500 are stud ewes. Malvern Downs comprises approximately 300 polled ewes and 200 horned sheep. Karen Phelps MEAT & WOOL » Malvern Downs After 102 years since the establishment of Malvern Downs the Gibson family has witnessed significant shifts in breeding priorities, market demands and farming practices. For current custodians Robbie and Chrissie Gibson the longevity of the stud is as much about people as it is about sheep. “It’s quite an achievement as both my parents are 98 and were able to be there for the 100th anniversary. It’s a great milestone,” says Robbie. The centenary was celebrated in 2024, bringing together family, industry connections and long-term supporters of the stud, which is based on the family’s 560ha Central Otago farm near Tarras. Two years on the focus remains firmly on the future, while acknowledging how decisions made decades ago continue to shape the stud today. One of the most significant changes over the stud’s history has been the early adoption of polled merino genetics. When Robbie’s parents Bill and Frances first introduced polled sheep to New Zealand in the 1950s they were far from popular. “Back then they were treated like a second-class citizen as farmers were into horned sheep. Now 75 years later and no one wants a horned ram. My parents were ahead of their time and it took farmers a long time to appreciate the attributes of the polled sheep,” says Robbie. The value of those genetics became particularly clear during the 1970s, when Corriedale flocks struggled to meet wool quality expectations. “A lot of the Corriedales went through a stage where their wool wasn’t up to standard and farmers Bull Sale - Thursday 14th May, 2:00pm needed to sharpen the wool up, so they put a polled merino over them. That’s where the stud sold most of the polled genetics originally,” says Robbie. The stud slowly sold a couple of polled merinos a year into horned flocks gradually gathering momentum for the breed. Today polled genetics account for 85 to 90 per cent of what the stud sells, a complete reversal of industry attitudes. Robbie says the practical benefits are well proven. “Polled sheep are bigger animals, mature more quickly and grow a longer length of staple, while also avoiding issues associated with horns such as getting caught in fences or increased flystrike risk,” he says. The farm runs 3000 merinos including 1800 ewes, of which 500 are stud ewes. Malvern Downs comprises approximately 300 polled ewes and 200 horned sheep. The Gibsons’ farming business also includes dairy support grazing around 500 heifers in the winter and raising 500 steers for the ANZCO feedlot at up to 450-500kgs. Alongside genetic progress, Malvern Downs has also built strong operational partnerships. For example Green to Gold provides agricultural contracting services to the property and Malvern Downs has worked with the business since its early days. On the wool marketing front the farm’s long-standing relationship with Norwegian clothing manufacturer Devold has brought stability and confidence in an otherwise volatile sector. Around 95 per cent of Malvern Downs’ fleece wool now goes to Devold with the farm producing wool in the 17 to 17.5 micron range. “It’s good to have the relationship we have with Devold. They are very good to their suppliers and their standards are very high and they only use fleece wool that must meet stringent specifications,” says Robbie. “Going forward with Devold they are expanding 15 per cent per year so it’s good for us as growers. They will need a lot more wool.” Bill and Robbie have both received life membership of merino breeding organisations, recognising their contribution to the industry. Malvern Downs sells approximately 80 rams each January to regular customers. The stud’s genetics have reached international markets including the Falkland Islands, Argentina, Uruguay, China and Hungary. Despite stepping back from daily farm work Robbie’s parents remain involved. “After a lifetime on a farm they are always keen to know what’s going on,” says Robbie. “Bill is always good for a bit of advice.” GREEN TO GOLD LTD SPECIALISTS IN ARABLE CONTRACTING • Silage & baleage • Hands-on arable farming experience • Minimum tillage, optimum cultivation, moisture retention, seeding, harvesting • Cutting edge, top-performance machinery Cereals, brassica & grass • Maximise your yield • Latest GPS technology 027 221 9501 230 Mt Barker Rd, Wanaka | greentogold@xtra.co.nz Proud to be associated with Malvern Downs.
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