20 | Natural fibre the obvious solution Ewe hoggets at shearing Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Gleniti Romneys With increasing evidence of the negative impacts of plastic, using the natural fibre of wool is an obvious solution, says David and Sonya Hume from Gleniti Romneys. As an example, David’s sister Suzi Hume, who is a midwife of 30 years, has said to David that midwives and maternity units have always promoted wool over synthetic fibres, because wool provides warmth and breathes. Synthetic fibres, on the other hand, do not provide enough warmth and if used in excess have the dual risk of overheating and sweating with subsequent cooling – both a danger for a newborn. “Recent research has demonstrated more urgency to switch to woollen fibre with plastic being found in the lungs of all age groups,” says David. “Plastics have also been found in other organs of the human body and even in the human placenta. Fibres of course are not the only source of plastic exposure but using natural fibres will be part of the solution to decrease plastic impact.” While there are increasingly innovative uses for wool he thinks it will take a product that uses large quantities of strong wool to create a groundswell of demand to lift the price for farmers significantly. “The deconstruction of wool to a cellular level and using that in high-tech products is dependent for its success on purchase of the base product at a relatively cheap price. We need a use for wool in a product that captures the wider consumer’s imagination and encourages them to buy it for all its un-deconstructed qualities. And at a price that provides a profit for the grower.” Although for farmers the financial return for wool remains low, the benefits of wool as a better and safer fibre highlight for David and Sonya the importance of maintaining wool as an important component of their Romney breeding program. Located in Pirinoa in Southern Wairarapa, Gleniti is a 300ha property running around 1700 stud ewes, 550 ram hoggets, 720 ewe hoggets and 130 beef steers. Gleniti targets robust, easy-care sheep that have high fertility and high growth rate with good style medium wool. “We keep a good style and the weight up in our selection so that when the market turns we are ready to go. At Gleniti anything that is plain or tippy is culled to keep the style good. When you see a line of our sheep it’s all pretty much the same. That’s what we aim for – good uniformity.” David says that after over 50 years of recording there is high accuracy in the breeding values at Gleniti that have been generated by SIL. These breeding values form the basis of the index that has been used at Gleniti for its selection, which has identified the sheep with a balance of productive traits that gives the best return to those using Gleniti rams. Gleniti has also been testing around 40-50 rams each year using Zoetis’ Sheep5K as an additional selection tool for ram hoggets, which essentially enables Gleniti to “get a generation in front”, says David. “We are hopeful that the DNA analysis, while continuing to hold the benefits of our traditional selection, will make it possible to incorporate other benefits such as longevity, muscularity, tenderness, meat distribution and FE tolerance.” Rams in October (top), close to selling time. Gleniti boys doing their bit for Wools of NZ. Proud to support Gleniti Romneys Member Electrical Contractors Association of NZ MASTER ELECTRICIANS 35 Jellicoe Street, Martinborough P: 06 3069 491 E: office@cans.co.nz PROUD TO SUPPORT GLENITI ROMNEYS • Electricians • Water pumps • Water treatment • Milking equipment • 24/7 call out service COTTER & STEVENS AGTECMachinery are proud to support Gleniti Romneys. Family Owned / 30+ Years Experience / Quality Products & Service 06 370 1212 | 315 Naumutawa Rd, Solway, Masterton | www.agtec.co.nz
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