60 | RURAL PEOPLE » Wairongo Embracing technology is vital in 2024 Suftex Rams. 140ha of the farm is hill country and 400ha is rolling to flat land, with 2,300 ewes, 60 cows, 200 bulls and some trade lambs alongside the Point Rams Stud. Randall Johnston Davey Moore is a 5th generation farmer on the family property based at Uriti Point on the Wairarapa Coast. Originally its rams were sold under Motu-Nui Terminals, which was rebranded to Point Rams in 2021 selling all rams on farm. Davey’s mother had a small blackface stud more than three decades ago, so he has grown up with them and always had an affinity for the breed. “This flock has increased over the years to meet demand of our clients while improving our genetic qualities through the use of technology,” he explains DNA testing technology is allowing Davey and daughter Georgie to get a closer look at their flock on a cellular level and will soon allow them to offer an even more refined breed to buyers. “We offer fast-growing blackface rams with good meat qualities, that’s why we are eye-muscle scanning, which we have been doing for the past three years. This scanning has allowed us to cull on low scores, to improve the meat quality throughout our flock.” “We DNA tested the ewes pre-lambing and we did the lambs at docking time in November last year. Having this DNA genotyping data, which we are just getting into now, will be key to improving genetic conditions of favorable production traits. If an animal has a top-grade meat gene, we can cross that with top-grade rams that have got the same gene and we should be at that stage early-to-mid this year.” Davey and Georgie don’t have auction-type sales; they simply keep in contact with their Point Ram clients to see whether they need rams for the upcoming breeding season and how they can help to meet their needs, typically selling between 100 to 120 rams a year. They buy in stud rams from other breeders based on genetical information to further improve their flock, coming in from North and South, especially with the South Suffolk (of which they have about 100 ewes) and Suftex breeds (400 ewes). In regard to the blackface breed; Davey says their popularity is just as strong as it ever was. “A lot of people still like to have their old ewes going to a blackface; as they automatically recognise that animal as a trade lamb. A blackface can be a very good store lamb, if you’re not in a position to kill it, as lamb traders still prefer a blackface.” 140ha of the farm is hill country and 400ha is rolling to flat land, with 2,300 ewes, 60 cows, 200 bulls and some trade lambs alongside the Point Rams Stud. The weather and cyclone damage has had a huge impact on what they were able to get done last year, but an extensive re-fencing program, replacing culverts and bridges along with redoing track access should help to get on top of that. “The digger would have struggled to get up to the damaged parts of the farm even in December; it just stayed that wet for that long.” Davey’s daughter Georgie and her diesel mechanic husband, Isaac, are big part of the farm operation (even though Isaac has his own business that keeps him busy). “Isaac’s skills as a mechanic comes in very handy on the farm and Georgie will be taking over eventually with our succession plan,” Davey explains. With the data flowing in and hopefully not too much more wet weather, the Point Rams team are poised for even more success in the years ahead. Proud to be associated with Wairongo Call Arron Cook on 027 498 7104
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