| 25 A new era of performance breeding MA ewes at docking. Karen Phelps Five years after purchasing Motu-nui Stud Ben Morrison is driving the East Coast Romney operation into a new era of performance breeding. With decades of farming behind him and a hands-on approach that defines both his work ethic and the business, Ben has positioned the stud to meet the challenges of New Zealand hill country farming head-on. “It was always a passion of mine to produce good stock,” says Ben. “We’d been purchasing Motu-nui rams since we started in 2010,” explains Ben. “So when the owner of Motu-nui mentioned he was thinking of selling, it felt like the right opportunity.” Ben began farming straight out of school, going shepherding before spending 11 years as stock manager in Masterton. Along the way he leased small blocks to get his own start, later securing a 500-hectare lease with his wife Vibeke in 2010. After purchasing a block in Pongaroa and completing the lease, the couple bought Kai Tak at Waione in Tararua District, then 400 hectares, and expanded it to the 1000-hectare operation it is today. Established in 1982, the stud has long been known for producing hardy Romney, Crossbred and Terminal rams suited to New Zealand’s toughest country. Kai Tak is a property of steep hills, rolling land and river flats exposed to both summer drought and winter wet. Ben says the terrain provides ideal testing grounds for selecting sheep that thrive under pressure. “We focus on real good structure and producing a true hill-country sheep that can handle anywhere in New Zealand,” says Ben. “At the moment we’re focusing strongly on a worm-resistant sheep that requires minimal drenching. We’ve been purchasing very worm-resistant rams that have never been drenched. Our lambs will only get two to four drenches in their lives, and two-tooths are never drenched.” The philosophy builds on a long legacy. Previous owner of the stud, Jason Le Grove, now Motu-nui’s stud co-ordinator, maintained undrenched ewes for 15–20 years before selling the stud in 2020. Ben says the principles remain the same but new tools are adding precision. “We’re starting CARLA saliva testing this year to give us better information for making decisions,” explains Ben. Genetics and performance recording have always been hallmarks of Motu-nui. It completes over 40 years of SIL data collection alongside extensive DNA RURAL PEOPLE » Motu-nui Romneys and Crossbreeds testing, now upgraded from 16k to 50k sampling, to strengthen selection accuracy. “It’s about doing the basics well and focusing on structure and type, then pushing all the other traits forward,” says Ben. The stud’s strict culling criteria ensure only the toughest sheep remain. Motu-nui places emphasis on constitution, sound feet, lack of dags and natural resilience. Facial eczema resistance is an increasing priority, with FE-tested sires and progeny testing incorporated into the breeding programme. Productivity remains central. “We try to produce as many kilos as we can off the ewes,” says Ben. “In the past our mixed-age ewes weaned 50 tonnes of lambs off 55 tonnes of ewes.” The diverse offering, including Romney, FE Romney, the Motu-nui Mongrel and the RomTex, gives commercial farmers a suite of options tailored to New Zealand hill country conditions, with efficiency and “The goal is simple. Breed sheep that not only survive, but really thrive. If they can do that here, they’ll do it anywhere.” We’ll help drive your business forward Cheri Henricksen B.B.S., C.A. OUR COMMUNITY, OUR ANIMALS. PROVIDING EXCELLENT AND TRUSTED CARE 06 374 7021 | dannevirke@vsdvk.co.nz For great prices and service, please contact us today! 06 376 2707 or 027 916 6776 pongaroafarmcentre@outlook.com • Stock Feed • Dog food • Wet weather gear • Work&hunting boots • Drench and Pour-on • ShearingGear • Horse Gear ...and SOmuchmore! Proudly supportingMotu-nui Romneys and Crossbreeds hardiness at the core. Supported by a small but dedicated team - Vibeke handling administration, and helping out day to day tasks on farm and Kieran Tobin managing Kai Tak - the stud and Kai Tak remain firmly rooted in practical, on-farm performance. Five years in Ben is clear about the direction. “The goal is simple,” he says. “Breed sheep that not only survive, but really thrive. If they can do that here, they’ll do it anywhere.”
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