Falkirk: working with nature King country-based Falkirk Scientific Foundation Principal Director Ian Walsh has a 63 year sheep and beef career and conducted 95 international trips as a stock selection specialist and is now focussed primarily on helping New Zealand farmers reach their goals. Since its development in 1994; Ian has seen how the Falkirk Index System can help farmers of any scale to find new levels of performance and profitability by identifying and making the most of quality animal genetics that often already exist within the herd. The key is to optimize the genetic ability of animals, then to advance to high quality branded product. Ian has been working with East Cape breeders Sean and Jodi Brosnahan, of Resurgam Angus for many years and they are now selling about 80 percent of their meat as branded product. Ian spots stock that are sub-optimal, so they can be drafted out. Increased weaning weights and better lambing percentages followed. Their Pure NZ Angus beef is top-tier, as recognised win their 2017 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Supreme Award win. Stud stock are ranked using the Falkirk Index, while rams and bulls are sold for breeding with Falkirk Certification. Ian recalls first meeting Sean when he was a young man working as a stock agent for AFFCO. “There was something special about him, he just got it even back then – it ’s been a pleasure working with him and helping him meet his goals,” Ian says. The Falkirk Index System is the exact description of the physiology of a particular animal as defined by measured data, bone-fat-meat ratio relative to mass (liveweight). That accounts for 40 percent of the assessment to define the optimal animal. Feed conversion efficiency is the prime economic driver to determine the optimal animal. “An efficient animal consumes 24 percent less feed than the inefficient animal; that is proven to be of low productivity and high gas emissions. This combination indicates high productivity and immune system that influences quality product outcomes,” Ian explains. Using the Falkirk EpiGenetic Animal Selection System. The genetic difference between groups of peers can be calculated to a high degree of accuracy, to support a specific commercial animal selection process. This system is applicable across a wide variety breeds and species. “The things I look for in an animal are no different for someone with 100 animals or 10,000. It ’s often not necessary to spend huge amounts of money on the best genetics money can buy, those excellent traits you are looking for often do exist within your current herd,” Ian explains. There has been a movement away from this ‘back to basics’ approach, in no small part influenced by the amount of money to be made in the animal genetics and animal health space in New Zealand. “It of ten comes back to the biology of animals and having the skill to identify desirable traits within the herd ad converting those into real measurable business gains. It ’s also about helping farmers to regain their passion for farming, when they see there is hope to improve they really perk up and that ’s very rewarding.” Sadly according to Ian, the science has taken a back seat to the commercial influences in the rural sector in a New Zealand and its hurting and costing hard working farmers more than it should. Ian Walsh PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR 07 877 8345 or 027 480 9807 falkirk1@xtra.co.nz The Falkirk Index System is generating the largest private genetic client base in the Tri-Nations. CONGRATULATIONS for the long vision support, commitment and loyalty. “Innovation is not just change, but improvement.” QUALITY ANIMAL GENETICS
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