| 9 The Kelso story traces back to the 1970’s Kelso Genetics focus on creating a sheep for the future, a healthy and efficient animal. Karen Phelps Healthy sheep and healthy farmers are the Kelso Genetics difference. “We want animals and people to be healthy. Both are highly valued for our business so their wellbeing is really important too,” says Kelso Genetics co-owner and director Matt Holden. The story of Kelso Genetics traces back to the 1970’s when Roger Marshall, a Rangitikei sheep farmer, pioneered the modern crossbred sheep breeding on his farm, Tutu Totara. Matt says this has had a massive influence on fertility, growth rate and meat yield and overall, a positive impact on the New Zealand sheep industry. From that beginning today the Kelso breeding programme is managed by Hamish and Kelly Bibby, which is based on the Bibby family farm, Lunesdale in Ongaonga Central Hawkes Bay. Matt’s official job title at the company is ‘people’ reflecting the big focus Kelso Genetics places on this part of the business. This has seen Matt run Mates of Mates for Mates events, with the support of Kelso, partnering with TV journalist Matt Chisholm, to shine a light on mental health and the Rural Support Trust. “I’ve had my own mental health battles so I know personally just what farmers are going through and it’s great to be in a position to be able to help. It’s about working closely alongside our farmers to help their wellbeing and also, through our social media, providing them with material that puts a smile on their face. I like to brighten up people’s day.” He says this segues nicely with Kelso Genetics’ focus on creating a sheep for the future, a healthy and efficient animal. “Health has to come first as then they will do better and every business is looking for efficiency and animals are no different,” says Matt. Animal health is under a huge amount of pressure from the likes of worms and facial eczema to name but two. So worm resistance and FE tolerance are a focus along with body condition score to have a healthy efficient ewe.” Breeding for high growth leads to the sheep spending fewer days on farm is a big contributor to Kelso Genetics’ overall goals. RURAL PEOPLE » Kelso Genetics Ltd “We see growth rate as a health trait as lambs are basically worm factories so the less time they are on farm the less time they have to contaminate the farm with worms and it also leads to less drenching. Fewer days on farm also contribute to reduce methane emissions as the longer an animal is on the farm the longer it’s emitting. It’s a circle so that’s why growth is such a key trait and part and parcel of the whole picture.” Kelso Genetics is involved in the Beef+Lamb Cool Sheep® Programme with animals put through the AgResearch specially designed portable accumulation chambers (AgPAC), which measures the methane emissions of sheep. This allows for selection of low methane animals with PAC data will be combined with sheep genotyping to provide a methane breeding value. Rams are on nProve, with rams sold having a clear measure of their predicted impact to lower methane 06 858 9060 www.vshb.co.nz OUR COMMUNITY, OUR ANIMALS Vet Services are proud to work closely alongside many sheep farms with a shared goal of improving animal health & performance. Our sheep conveyor allows us to provide additional vet technician and sheep handling services to clients across Hawkes Bay, Get in touch if you would like to find out more or to make a booking. Testing for Invermay Agricultural Centre,176 Puddle Alley, Mosgiel 9092 0800 DNA LAB (362 522) | genomnz@agresearch.co.nz | www.genomnz.co.nz Sheep Genomic The premier product developed for the New Zealand sheep industry. on all progeny prior to weaning. counting in GHG calculations, providing a further selection tool. Both support the wider use of genomic information in the national breeding flock, providing additional benefits for national genetic gain. He says that importantly what Kelso Genetics has seen since being involved in the programmes is that methane is not a production-limiting trait. “So we can make gains in production traits while lowering methane emissions. At Kelso Genetics we see methane reduction as part of the bigger picture. We have to listen to what our consumers in the market are asking for. They want to know what we are doing is best practice and programmes like New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme (NZFAP) Plus are highly valued. If we can produce sheep with a low methane output it’s a win-win as part of our environmental footprint also includes the food we eat.”
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