| 31 It took a big capital investment to buy the one-gang business, based in Kerikeri, from an existing two-gang operation. RURAL PEOPLE » Tokerau Forestry Giving Farmers Control Over Their Product. IAN WALSH Contact Ian Walsh for more information 07 877 8345 | 0274 809807 | e: falkirk1@xtra.co.nz | www.falkirkgenetics.co.nz QUALITY ANIMAL GENETICS In farming uncertainty breeds risk. When producers lack con dence in their breeding decisions they're essentially gambling with their livelihood. “The Falkirk Index System addresses this fundamental challenge by giving farmers genuine control over their product through objective knowledge. Control is an important aspect of being successful in business,” says Ian Walsh, Managing Director of the Falkirk Scientific Foundation. After 65 years in the sheep and beef industry, Ian understands that control stems from understanding and understanding requires reliable information. The system's power lies in transforming subjective guesswork into objective certainty. Through a combination of ultrasound scanning technology and structural assessment it produces a single index value that estimates the retail meat value of live animals. “The Falkirk Index empowers producers to select genetics with surety and confidence,” explains Ian. “It is simple to assess each animal's index value and then rate stock from the highest to the lowest.” This objective analysis enables farmers to make breeding decisions based on genetic reality rather than appearance alone. Sire analysis summaries allow breeding values to be determined from progeny data, giving producers concrete information about which genetics deliver results. The ability to function progeny test analysis objectively means farmers can identify superior genetics with confidence. Ian says evenness and consistency across the flock or herd is crucial for commercial success: “Consistent product meets market specifications reliably, reducing risk and enabling premium returns.” The control extends beyond breeding decisions to business strategy. Because the system is customised to individual client goals and expectations, farmers can align their genetic selection with their specific market objectives. Whether targeting export markets, premium domestic buyers, or specific branded products, producers gain the knowledge to breed purposefully rather than hopefully. “I get in there as part of their team and help them to lead themselves. The aim is to help themmaximise their product and profitability through genetics,” says Ian of his mentoring approach. “This isn't about dependency on external advice - it's about building internal capability.” The system's applicability across breed and species means farmers aren't locked into specific genetics. They maintain flexibility while gaining certainty about which animals within their chosen breeds deliver optimal performance. This breed-agnostic approach respects individual farming systems and provides universal selection principles. Ian says that for farmers considering succession planning, control over product quality becomes particularly crucial. “The ability to demonstrate genetic superiority objectively makes properties more valuable and succession more viable. In an industry facing consolidation pressures and margin squeeze, the Falkirk System offers something increasingly precious: the knowledge and tools to control your own destiny.”
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