| 11 High performance breeding on the East Coast Hinenui Genetics, the Teutenbergs and now the Cooks have spent decades refining sheep to handle the unique pressures of the East Coast environment. Photo: Rebecca Williams. Hugh de Lacy RURAL PEOPLE » Hinenui Genetics Hinenui Genetics stands as a three generation legacy of high performance sheep-breeding on the East Coast of the North Island, a region where resilience isn’t optional: it’s essential. The principals of Hinenui Genetics, Phil and Deana Cook, along with their three children, carry that legacy forward every day on their Wickham Hill, Ngatapa, Gisborne property, running the stud with a mix of deep experience, sharp genetic focus, and a genuine passion for producing rams that thrive where others struggle. It’s a three-generation commitment to the legacy of high performance breeding of Coopworths, Romneys, Romworth and ShedX sheep that Deana and Phil inherited from Deana’s parents, Lucy and Brett Teutenberg, and her grandfather, Bill Teutenberg, who started recording his Coopworths in the 1980s. With Hinenui Genetics the Teutenbergs and now the Cooks have spent decades refining sheep to handle the unique pressures of the East Coast environment. “Facial eczema has long been one of the region’s biggest challenges, and the stud’s breeding programme takes full account of that reality,” Deana says. “For years, eczema tolerance was our stud’s numberone priority — and breeding resistance to it has paid off considerably: today, all our sire rams are tested at some of the top eczema-testing levels in the country.” That solid foundation in recording has allowed the stud to push further and faster. “With eczema tolerance now deeply embedded in the flock, we have shifted significant focus toward worm resistance, a trait increasingly vital for sustainable farming,” Deana adds. “Our breeding philosophy is clear: maintain exceptional eczema tolerance, lift worm resistance, and never compromise on sound structure or highproduction traits.” Over the four stud breeds that comprise Hinenui Genetics, the total number of recorded ewes is 1650, and the Coopworth, Romney and Romworth flocks have all gained FE Gold status. Wickham Hill Station also supports a herd of 120 commercial Angus cows, but there’s not a sheep on the place that isn’t part of a stud. This year has marked an exciting step forward for the stud’s own genetic creation, the ShedX line of self-shedding sheep, based on the Coopworth and the naturally shedding Wiltshire breed, with contributions from Exlana and Easycare sheep. Phil and Deana ran an AI programme using semen sourced from two respected names in high-performance genetics, Willowglen and Enfield. “Bringing these sires into the programme is a strategic move aimed at lifting reproduction and growth traits even further while reinforcing Hinenui Genetics’ renowned tolerance traits,” Deana says. “The team is eager to see how these lambs develop, especially given the complementary strengths of the selected sires.” It’s this kind of forward-thinking that has kept Hinenui Genetics at the forefront of performance breeding for three generations. Phil and Deana’s three children are growing up immersed in the rhythms of stud life - lambing, weighing, tagging, drafting, and everything in between. “Their involvement not only helps us get the jobs done but hopefully generates an interest in genetics – carrying on the stud for years to come,” she says. Proudly Supporting Hinenui Genetics Chris Spark 027 218 0036 | scanaspark@gmail.com 393 Gladstone Rd PO Box 1247 Gisborne 4040 Ph: 06 869 1234 E: post@grahamdobson.co.nz www.grahamdobson.co.nz Our Services: Farm Business Administration • Personnel Recruitment Specialist knowledge in Farm Accounting • Human Resources Management Investment Advice and Business Advisory Services Your Business Our Services Your Success ‘You have the vision, let us help you get there!’ Your Partner in Livestock & general freight Hauling Everything, Handled With Care. ROBBBBROS Ltd. MATAWAI 027 6752936 robb.brosltd@gmail.com Proudly Supporting Hinenui Genetics
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