8 | RURAL PEOPLE » Tumeke Farming / Carthew Genetics Mindful genetics for meaningful results Tumeke Landcorp Lamb Supreme and Suftex ewes with their twins. Sue Russell Simon and Pascale Carthew operate Tumeke Farming (Carthew Genetics), a sheep breeding business that has its roots back 55 years ago when Simon’s parents, Bill and Di Carthew began to performance record their sheep flock at Ngaturi, Southeast of Pahiatua, and became a registered Coopworth flock in SIL. Growing up on farm and experiencing his dad, a pioneer sheep breeder, it was a natural progressing for Simon to deepen his knowledge in that field. Following training at Lincoln University and a few years overseas, Simon returned to NZ in the early 1990s. Together with his parents they purchased Turnberry Farm, in Alfredton, Wairarapa, a steep hill country farm, where they expanded and evolved their sheep breeding operation. “Breeding is in my blood – I’m just passionate about sheep genetics. Back in the days when we attended A & P shows, sheep farmers didn’t have much of an interest in performance recording, unlike the dairy side, and following my Dad I was committed to change this,” Simon says. He began to view the stud’s performance more through the lens of breeding commercial viable animals. Simon and Pascale met in the mid 90’s. Three years and three children later they bought Turnberry Farm off Simons parents. An alliance formed with Landcorp and Carthews were introduced to Landcorps geneticist Geoff Nicholl who started the Landcorp Lamb Supreme breed. A big embryo transfer program was pivotal to establishing the now Tumeke Lamb Supreme Stud. “The white-faced terminal breed was perfect to introduce alongside our maternal Coopworth Stud and today we’re the only registered stud who have these sheep.” Simon describes the Lamb Supreme breed as a sensational performer and at the time way ahead of other breeds. “Selecting for thicker skin, intramuscular fat and finer shoulders in recent years, makes our Lamb Supreme an ideal hogget mating sire choice.” As can happen, long-term success in a farming enterprise isn’t a straight line of building year on year of success. In 2002, Simon and Pascale, bought Turnberry Farm in Australia and airfreighted 600 in-lamb ewes – the largest consignment of livestock to Australia at that time. “It meant our genetics were now readily available in New Zealand and Australia.” It was at the same time that clients were looking for a black face terminal sheep. The best Suffolk genetics were sourced and put over some of their top Landcorp Lamb Supreme ewes initially and in the last seven years top Suftex genetics were introduced, resulting in the Tumeke Suftex, a high performing, robust terminal sheep with colour for easy marking. Between 2008 and 2010 Turnberry Farm NZ and Australia were sold and all the NZ stud animals moved to a leased farm at Linton, Palmerston North. It was at this time that Romney genetics were introduced, using top stud rams from Richard Warren, in the Wairarapa – the Tumeke Coop Rom cross was born. From 2011 till today the couple have leased four steep hill country blocks, spanning from Woodville to Kimbolton and Rangiwahia. Asked what the most significant advantages their breeding system offers Simon says that since its inception, focussing on commercial gain and performance has been key. “Our recorded sheep receive no preferential treatment. They are performance recorded within a typical hill country sheep farm situation. Since working closely together with Guy Martin, Livestock Confirmation, going through his independent structural confirmation audit process and selecting accordingly, our sheep performance has reached another level.” Constitution and structural soundness have continued and remain the focus with all sheep scrutinised by Guy Martin, Livestock Confirmation. Pascale, who originates from Switzerland, has developed the innate ability to ‘see’ a quality sheep, without referencing to the records. When balanced with Simon’s approach of recording trait data, the couple have a full-circle approach to animal selection. Always pursuing genetic gain with a commercially focussed mind set is integral to Carthew Genetics history and Tumeke Farming’s future. When presented with the opportunity to buy one of the largest, well established and fully SIL recorded Romney studs in NZ – Kiwitahi – Simon and Pascale didn’t hesitate and are thrilled to now offer 100% Romney sheep alongside the other four Tumeke flocks. Today, Simon and Pascale’s three children are all involved in the enterprise “We’re very grateful to breed healthy and happy animals for a living as well as providing solid genetics for commercial farmers, our clients and be part of their success. To show our appreciation, all our animals have names. Naming the animals was just another piece to bring it all together and has resulted in a greater connection and interaction … they live off the land and we live off them in a cycle of life. We are a family business and it is personal to us.” 06 323 2944 027 2760963 t.kendrick@kinect.co.nz . . .nz Call us today! Manawatu Shearing TopService CompetitiveRates Covering Manawatu, Rangitikei &Wairarapa areas Proud to support the CarthewGenetics P 06 323 0255 M 027 928 8630 W farmworxbikes.co.nz - On Farm Service - New and Used Sales - Fully Equipped Workshop
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