| 35 Raupuha leader in FE tolerant traits Cam Heggie PGG Wrightson, Livestock Genetics Auctioneer Sue Maxwell, Russell Prof t and Graeme Maxwell at auction. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Raupuha Stud Raupuha Stud is gearing up for its annual sale. On offer this summer will be around 500 rams including 200 sold by on-farm auction on 15 November. The stud’s main focus is on FE tolerance and Raupuha is recognised as an industry leader in this trait with all stock fully DNA recorded. It is part of FE Gold group, which promotes breeders of elite FE-tolerant rams and raises awareness amongst ram buyers of the value of buying from FE Gold breeders “I don’t think there are too many farms in the North Island that haven’t been affected by FE to some degree due to the humid weather from January to May this year. “The seasons for this kind of weather that provides the conditions for FE are getting longer so FE tolerance is more important than ever. We will be offering the highest tested Romdales and Perendales in New Zealand for FE tolerance as we’ve been testing for 23 years and the ock has been tested at 0.6mg of sporidesmin per kg of bodyweight,” says stud owner Russell Prof t. Providing farmers with the right data on which to make decisions is their point of difference. They are also involved with AgResearch in a project to reduce methane emissions from agriculture. This sees AgResearch come onto the farm once a year to measure sheep through a special chamber to measure the gases they produce with the aim being to move towards breeding lower emission sheep. They also undertake faecal egg count reduction tests, challenging their lambs to build data on individual animals. Every ram they sell includes these gures. “We invest a lot into our rams for the bene t of our commercial clients. Our sale is a good opportunity for people to come along, have a look and get their hands on the best genetics,” says Russell. The Prof ts have a family history of breeding rams for 45 years and the stud comprises 5579 sheep. The Prof ts also farm 1000 beef cattle producing rams and bulls for commercial sheep and beef farmers around the country and fattening stock bred on their property. Russell’s parents originally bought the family farm in 2003 and Russell and Mavis took over ownership in 2008. The farm now comprises 1100ha total (1050ha effective) with the majority class 3 and 4 hill country. Soils are predominately Mairoa Ash and Mahoenui Clay. In 2021 the Prof ts were nalists in the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust awards. They were winners of the Massey University Innovation Award and Waikato Regional Council Water Protection Award. They have invested heavily in fencing waterways and planting native plants grown in their own plant nursery. It’s Mavis’ baby and she primarily take the lead on the nursery. It’s success has seen them expand the operation to meet demand and sell to local farmers. The Prof ts plan to plant another 10,000 natives this year, 500 poplar poles and fence off another 4km of creek and bush. Involvement in research projects, including one in conjunction with King Country River Care and Massey University, sees them monitor their sediment traps to determine what is working well. They also support Growing Future Farmers and have taken on two cadets to grow the next generation of farmers. “The seasons for this kind of weather that provides the conditions for FE are getting longer so FE tolerance is more important than ever. We will be offering the highest tested Romdales and Perendales in New Zealand for FE tolerance as we’ve been testing for 23 years and the ock has been tested at 0.6mg of sporidesmin per kg of bodyweight.” OPEN DAY Tuesday 1st November 1pm-3pm at SH3, Mahoenui — ON FARM SALE — Tuesday 15th November 2022 at 12 Noon
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