26 | Stud remains focused on two key traits Malcolm Wyeth on the job. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Mana Stud Mana Romney Stud is continuing to focus on two key traits as drivers for its genetics: FE tolerance and skin thickness. Stud owner Malcolm Wyeth says the stud has been making real gains in these areas alongside targeting a fast growing animal that is structurally sound on its feet with good fertility. “FE tolerance has become increasingly important as this disease has moved south over recent years as was predicted. It can have a real negative impact on scanning, lamb mortality and death rates so it’s important we continue to make gains in this area,” says Malcolm. The ock FE dosing is 0.52mg/kg for facial eczema tolerance and Malcolm is aiming to keep building on this. Skin thickness measurements are taken at the same time as intramuscular fat and eye muscle scanning. The ock is now averaging 5mm for skin thickness compared with 4.5mm when Mana Romney Stud started collecting data on this trait. Mana Romney Stud only retains rams in the top 10% for skin thickness and Malcolm says he has noticed the survivability rate of his own ock improve by placing a focus on skin thickness. Malcolm has had a stud ock since he was 15. Mana Romney Stud was purchased from wellknown New Zealand breeder Craig Gibson in 2000 and since the purchase of that line of sheep under Malcolm’s eye for what makes a great Romney it has gone from strength to strength. Mana Romney Stud rams are selected on SIL performance data rating between 2000-3500 on the index and structural attributes. The stud breeding objectives include fertility targeting ewes with the ability to have two lambs weaning at 35-40 kgs each, survivability and good milking and mothering ability. Mana Romney Stud hasn’t forgotten about wool aiming for good white eeces. The ock is scanning at 180-200% and Malcolm says the genetics are well linked to other breeders in the industry by swopping rams to enable quicker genetic progress and also allow Mana Romney Stud to benchmark itself. Carcass conformation is also important and Mana Romney Stud aims for rams with solid hindquarters and thick loins. Malcolm is a fourth generation Romney breeder and he and wife Selina farm three units around Masterton. The home farm at Gladstone totals 158ha plus a 40ha lease block. This is where the stud breeding ewe ock resides and the ram hoggets due to be sold. There is also a 254ha farm at Wainuioru that was purchased in 2008, the same year they took over the home farm from Malcolm’s parents. The Wyeths run their commercial sheep operation here along with trade cattle. An 80ha unit at Mikimiki, ten minutes north of Masterton, is used for nishing lambs from Wainuioru, trading cattle and grazing stud ewe hoggets and has given the Wyeths a lot more exibility. The farms run 900 Romney stud ewes, 350 Romney ewes that go to a Perendale ram to breed Romdale progeny, 200 Suffolk and Suftex ewes On November 15 Mana Romney Stud will offer its top 40 Romney rams to the market at its annual on farm sale. Malcolm says that this year’s line up demonstrates the best of the genetic gain his stud offers. The rest of Mana Romney Stud’s rams are sold privately each year and include Romdale, Suffolk and Suftex options. “FE tolerance has become increasingly important as this disease has moved south over recent years as was predicted. It can have a real negative impact on scanning, lamb mortality and death rates so it’s important we continue to make gains in this area.” Mana Romney Stud hasn’t forgotten about wool, aiming for good white eeces. 2022 RAM SALE Tuesday 15th November at 1.30pm (On Farm 127 Admiral Road Gladstone, Masterton inspect ion invi ted from 1.30pm) 50 Stud and Top Commercial Romney Rams to be sold at Auction. Romney and Romdale Rams available also by private sale. Rams selected on structural soundness and high performance data SIL Maternal worth indexes from 2500 to 3300 All enquiries: Please contact Malcolm Wyeth 027 252 7151 Tom Suttor / PGG Wrightson 027 446 9967 Simon Smith / PGG Wrightson 027 444 0733 FE tested rams at .52mg/kg LWT available for sale . / il l l
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