38 | Ram shop with a legacy Sheep of the future Rosa Watson Emma Bailey RURAL PEOPLE » Nikau Coopworths / One Stop Ram Shop For four decades, One Stop Ram Shop has been exactly as the name would suggest – a reliable provider of high-performing sires. The central Hawke’s Bay-based company is a leader in purebred and stabilised sires, offering a variety of breeds including Finn and Texel purebreds, and Finn-Texel crossbreeds. The 200ha property near Waipukurau has a long history in ram breeding that goes beyond One Stop Ram Shop’s establishment. “The farm itself has been operating as a farm sale base really since the 1950s,” founder Robin Hilson tells Rural North. It has achieved many firsts, including first to sell Finn Texel and Texel Suffolk rams, first to have eight months of lambing on one farm, first to have nine flocks’ performance recorded, and the first to export Finn genetics to South America and Australia. In the 1980s, Robin established a joint venture with what was at the time the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. It was a unique arrangement being the only joint venture the ministry has been involved in. Scientists approached Robin about breeding Finn and Texel sheep imported from Europe, and he put together a joint venture between 43 farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture and NZ Sheepac Ltd, and built a quarantine station on his farm. At the time, things were tough in the farming sector with high interest rates and the loss of subsidies. Many farmers were looking for something to turn to. “I knew because I was out visiting farms. It was very real and very widespread from the top to the bottom of the country. “Many farmers were really keen to buy rams. When times were tough it was amazing to see the support from farmers’ who bought a ram using their “pin” money. “(It) really gave the industry a big kick.” Farmers were encouraged to keep performance records, which many did, he says. Records show that using rams from the programme rams led to a gain in productivity of between 1.5 and 2 per cent each year. “Over a 25 year period you’ve doubled your productivity.” Sheep of the future is what Nikau Coopworth Stud is producing, with a focus on health, robust constitution and reducing the need for drenching and dagging using genetics. Nikau Coopworth Stud is located in Waikaretu, halfway between Raglan and Port Waikato on the west coast. The flock was established by Jack Woodward and then run for 35 years by Clive Woodward and his wife Susan before Kate Broadbent purchased it in 2009. Creating healthy sheep that require as little input as possible is Kate’s passion and coming into the farm’s 48th ram sale, the popularity of this concept is only increasing. Genetics is a long game but is the best way to future proof New Zealands’ sheep flock against challenges and fit the evolving market. Health traits are key. “Genetics is a strong tool to deal with facial eczema and parasites. Facial Eczema hadn’t been much of a problem in the South Island but now with global warming they are experiencing it and reaching out to buy rams. With the increasing prevalence of drench failure, there is also more demand for genetics to help battle this issue” Nikau has had a strong focus on parasite resistance, and the ewe flock has been no drench for over 25 years. Lambs are on extended drench intervals and selection is based on above average performance. “The input sheep need with drench, dip, dagging, shearing is one of the reasons why overall sheep numbers are reducing.” Working to reduce the reliance on drench and dip and strong selection for dag free sheep goes a long way to reduce some of these inputs. “Introducing FE genetics take time but there will be improvement in tolerance with the first cross and, as genetics are cumulative, the improvements will become more apparent over time. “To replace an entire flock can take 10 years. Some farmers are purchasing highly tolerant ewe lambs to fast track their program.” Nikau is a founding member of both FE Gold and Wormfec Gold and one of the top breeders in the country for Facial Eczema and Parasite tolerance. The stud sells 120 rams a year in November, with buyers coming from the far North to Canterbury “They are the top 25 per cent of the ram lambs born. There is lots of culling and testing to present the best.” Nikau produce sheep with good structure, good feet, and the Coopworth has long been known as “the Best Dam Breed” renowned for mothering ability, milk and high growth lambs. The breed began at Lincoln University and led the way for performance recording to become the key to increasing performance and profitability of the NZ sheep flock. “The New Zealand sheep industry is under pressure with forestry taking prime land and costs going up but we are enjoying record lamb prices at the moment. We produce high quality protein which the world needs. We do it with a strong focus on animal welfare, environmental stewardship and have a great story to tell. I am proud to be part of the future of our industry.” Kate herself is heavily involved in the industry and is the President of Coopworth Genetics NZ, a founding and Steering Committee member of FE Gold, Chair of WormFec Gold and a Beef and Lamb NZ Farmer Council member. The 2025 Ram Sale will be held on Friday November 7 at 12.30pm at Frankton Saleyards. By the 1990s, he says New Zealand was ahead of the rest of the world in productivity. For Robin, the programme has provided him with many experiences, taking him to markets across the globe. “I didn’t expect to go to Iran. I didn’t expect to go to Georgia.” The programme was so successful that Robin says today 46 per cent of the national flock genetics linked to the rams imported in 1985. “Forty-six per cent of the national flock have the genetics that we promoted 40 years ago.” Today, things are changing as farmers look towards shedding sheep for their operation, he says. But with a sound base breed that the programme produced, it ensures production will remain strong. “Wiltshires (shedders) are very productive sheep that looks after itself. If someone wants wool ... there are Finn and Texel crosses available.” Genetics remains a passion for Robin, and he still visits farms the length of the country - one year visiting 400 farms. “I’ve certainly had my eyes opened. It’s certainly been interesting. “Ever since 1990 I’ve been going around farms and actually visiting them, and the changes in some places has just been so dramatic. I feel fortunate in seeing that. It’s been rewarding.” He says a number of farmers he has worked with have moved away from sheep farming and into other industries such as viticulture, forestry or dairy. “The three have hugely affected the sheep industry. “Forestry I think is really sad because it’s good country and we’ve got a real shortage of arable land. To see it going into trees saddens me.” However, One Stop Ram Shop will continue its work, he says. “Generally, I think we will continue along the same line with a lot of customer loyalty. “I think our development will continue along the same lines. The figures we produce are very good, so as long as we keep our culling standards up, incremental improvements will continue.” He says there is also genetic export markets to explore such as Australia, South America and the Middle East. “The world’s definitely short of protein.” • Annual Accounts • Income Tax Returns • GST • FBT • Cash Flow Budgeting • Monthly Management Reporting • Setup and Structure Advice • Xero & MYOB Partners Proudly Supporting Nikau Coopworths 64 Beaver Road West R D 2 Pukekohe Ph: 09 - 238 8925 | Mob: 027 - 249 9443 | Email: admin@theclajCA.co.nz Quality Tractor Services 4 Coughlan Road, Waipukurau 06 858 8590 or 027 240 4848 qualitytractorservices@gmail.com qualitytractorservices · Repairing of all tractor & farm implements · Repair all Diesel engines · Make and repair all hydraulic hoses · Tractor restoration · Stockist of Valvoline Oil · Good range of Oil Filters in stock · Can supply tractor parts and implements to meet your needs QUALITY TRACTOR SERVICES ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT ONE STOP RAM SHOP
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