Business Rural North Winter 2021

36 | RURAL NORTH » Spring Valley Enterprises: Matt & Lynley Wyeth Genomic data ‘the way forward’ The Spring Valley’s enthusiastic team are an integral part of the large-scale breeding and finishing operation. Inset: Lynley and Matt Wyeth. Russell Fredric W airarapa farmers Matt and Lynley Wyeth believe creating more output for less input through science is the way forward for the future of agriculture. Their large-scale self-contained breeding and finishing operation, Spring Valley, supports 15,000 stock units and covers 2100 hectares bordering the eastern flank of the Tararua Ranges about 10 kilometres from Masterton. The stock units comprise 7500 breeding ewes, 3000 hoggets, 350 angus breeding cows, plus replacement and trading stock. Their romdale ewes were replaced 15 years ago with highlander stock which are better suited to Spring Valley’s terrain and system and have proven great performers. “They are very high fecundity, scanning 220% over 7,500 ewes. We’ve been consistently lambing over 155%,” Matt says. Although Wairarapa is known for its dry periods, Spring Valley has an annual rainfall of 1800mm which, in tandem with the highlander being extremely efficient sheep, enables their its lambs to kill in the 20 kilogram range. With the sheep performing extremely well, the focus on the beef side has moved to employing genomic data through Zoetis in order to identify better animals earlier and consequently make more profitable breeding decisions. Matt likens the use of genomics to estimated breeding values on steroids. “We believe it’s the way forward.” “We have a lot more data at our disposal to make accurate, precise decisions. We are fast-tracking what the future animal looks like in 10 years time.” Because Zoetis have a comprehensive data set, it is possible to select traits that are highly correlated to what the Wyeth’s need in their cattle. With a good foundation of reproduction, growth rates and carcass characteristics established, the Wyeth’s are now focused on efficiency of feed con- version. While some animals may grow at a good rate, they might also be consuming relatively more feed to do so, Matt says. “We believe the velocity of farming is growing as much grass as we can and converting it into protein as quickly as possible. “You can make a 15% to 20% gain by selecting an animal that has high feed conversion compared to just concentrating on growth.” “We believe there’s some easy runs on the board to pick up that through testing and genom- ics. “That’s a great environmental story; they are wanting us to produce more for less, well we are going to have less animals but producing more. It’s in harmony with the environment.” Matt and Lynley have two boys, Alexander aged 16 and Cameron, 14, who are showing promise to- wards carrying on the family legacy or undertaking an agriculture-related career. One of their teachers is head of their school, Rathkeale College’s agriculture department and encourages the boys to enter as many agriculture competitions as possible. In May the boys participated in the Future Beef New Zealand Hoof and Hook competition held in Hastings. In February, Alexander was a co-winner with fel- low year 12 student, Jono Harris, in the 2021 East Coast FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year and will attend the national final in June. “We believe there’s some easy runs on the board to pick up that through testing and genomics. That’s a great environmental story; they are wanting us to produce more for less, well we are going to have less animals but producing more. It’s in harmony with the environment.” “Switching to Sprayfo Primo Lamb solved our abomasal bloat issues straight away. I haven’t lost a single lamb to bloat since we started using it (back in 2013).” - Lynley Wyeth Sprayfo Primo Lamb 20kg NZ’s leading milk replacer for lambs (whey-based) Can be fed directly from colostrum Contains highly digestible protein sources Proven to reduce abomasal bloat and enhance rumen development Thinking about rearing with Sprayfo? Call Jaco on 021 370 222 for more information. 0800 64 55 76 www.agrivantage.co.nz Ready to work Smarter? Lets Talk Like you, we’re local. We understand what makes Wairarapa tick, and a big part of that is our rural businesses. As a member of your rural advisory team, we’ll help you achieve your business goals For a no cos t, no obl iga tion catch up, cal l Al istair McLennan or Mike Flower at 06 377 4139 or emai l admin@amrgroup.co.nz For a no cos t, no obl iga tion catch l l l i i i l i l i Formally Moore Markhams Wairarapa Limited Alistair.mclennan@amrgroup.co.nz Mike.flower@amrgroup.co.nz