56 | Top performance when under pressure Alan and Kerri Blake with the kids on farm. Anne Boswell RURAL PEOPLE » Triple Farms Genetics King Country sheep farmers Alan and Kerri Blake have created a farm system that allows them to chase their genetics goals in a commercial setting. The couple – with sons Archie and Finn – own 730ha Triple Farms, located north of Taumarunui in the King Country. They recently purchased the Ashgrove Genetics (Parsons and Pymm families, Northland) flock of Coopworth and Suftex sheep, complementing their own Coopdale stud and commercial flock of 3,000 ewes. Alan was born and raised on a family sheep and beef farm in the King Country, while Kerri was born and raised on a sheep and beef farm in the Wairarapa. Alan worked his way up from a shepherd to manager on various properties in New Zealand and overseas, while Kerri pursued a career in the wine industry in before moving to Taumarunui. The couple leased and then purchased a property from Alan’s parents in 2017, before selling that block and purchasing another two properties in Taumarunui in 2023. Triple Farms is divided into two properties – 450ha in Waimiha, used as a breeding and finishing block for commercial stock, and 270ha in Ongarue, where the stud is based. In addition to the commercial ewes and replacement hoggets, the couple farms a 320-cow breeding herd. They finish all of their lambs and the majority of their steers, and non-replacements heifers are sold for store or finished. Alan and Kerri started their own stud breeding Coopdale sheep – Perindale/ Coopworth cross – in 2022, with 150 Coopdales now in the stud. “We were not able to find the right genetics to suit our commercial farming system and breeding goals,” Alan says. “The Coopdale Flock emphasises breeding for hybrid vigour and shiftability on the hills. “They suit a purpose for our environment, and they are also a great testing ground for the Coopworth genetics.” In general, the Triple Farms Genetics breeding strategy emphasises structure above all else and includes a strict no-drench policy in ewes; minimal drenching in lambs; dag-scoring and bare breeching on ewes; unshepherded lambing, and ewe efficiency. While looking to purchase stud rams, the couple visited the Hard Hill Country Genetics – Ashgrove Rams auction in spring 2023. “We ended up purchasing the whole flock of 200 Coopworth and 70 Suftex ewes,” Alan laughs. “Ashgrove had the same ideas and goals as we had.” The Coopworth flock emphasis structure first, as well as reproduction, hogget mating, growth and performance and eye muscle scanning. The Triple Farms Coopworth flock has been tested for FE by Ashgrove Genetics since 1985 and achieved FEGold status in 2005. The flock is currently testing at 0.6mg/kg, with the goal of achieving 0.7mg/kg. By comparison, the Suftex flock emphasises high yield for growth and meat; hardy, fast-growing sheep and eye muscle scanning. Alan says they can’t speak highly enough of the Ashgrove Genetics team, who has been incredibly helpful and supportive during the sale and transition of the flock. “Our view for the stud is to breed a low-input, high-output sheep that embodies our motto – performance under pressure,” he says. “Our stud flock is run alongside our commercial ewes from weaning to mating, and anything that can’t perform is culled regardless of figures or breeding.” Triple Farms Genetics is holding an auction on-farm on November 8, 2024 with Coopworth, Coopdale and Suftex rams up for sale. COOPWORTH • SUFTEX 027 896 8313 | www.triplefarms.co.nz ALAN AND KERRI BLAKE
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