26 | RURAL PEOPLE » Tokorangi Farm The start of a new era at Tokorangi Farm Tokorangi Two-tooth rams. Tokorangi Farm held their first esheep. ram auction in December with great success. Randall Johnston The team at Tokorangi Farm, located 50 kilometres north-east of Whanganui, held their first esheep. ram auction in December to great success, having been selling privately prior to that. Kate Kellick says the event, led by PGG Wrightson stock agent Jimmy Mcdonald and auctioneer Callum Stewart, went even better than she had hoped. “It went off! There were even some bidding battles, with many people competing for the same ram. The top ram went for $8,000, so that’s a really encouraging result for us. It feels like there are plenty of people ready to change, not just due to the (low) wool prices but with the high costs of farming as well.” The auction showcased 42 rams, with only one remaining unsold. It drew in both established patrons and new- comers, indicating an increasing enthusiasm for shedding sheep within the industry. “We brought in Exlana semen from the top UK shedding stud, and I believe that’s really attracted people wanting to change to shedding sheep. Our rams are recorded with SIL (Sheep Improvement Limited). We came upon Exlana when we were changing over to Wiltshires. “We sourced what we could find in New Zealand grading up from our existing Perendale-Cheviot ewes and buying in Wiltshire ewes. We found that the gene pool for Wiltshires in New Zealand was really limited. That’s when we stated looking overseas and my husband Alex found the Exlana breed.” “They have been more focused on the easy care shedding sheep in the UK, because their wool prices have been bad for even longer than ours have. We found a flock over there that had been recording for a long time and looked a lot meatier. “The focus has shifted, we are breeding purely for meat now and the results just speak for themselves really. “Farming doesn’t have to be exhausting (if you have the right system in place and make use of the technology and advancements that are now available). With esheep, we’re making it easier, more sustainable, and more fulfilling.” Through the promotion of shedding sheep, Kellick tackles significant challenges including drench resistance and the unpredictable wool market. As detailed in her Kellogg report - Shed or Shear? Changing the path of New Zealand sheep farming- they reduce reliance on labour, enhance efficiency, and support the industry’s shift towards sustainability. esheep. represents the result of 14 years of commitment to breeding shedding sheep that naturally lose their wool, thereby removing the necessity for shearing, crutching, and other labor-intensive methods. “By employing ethical and holistic farming practices, we are developing sheep that are more resilient against on-farm parasites and disease. This approach not only addresses financial and production challenges through genetic improvements and effective farming policies but also frees up a lot of time for farmers to focus on other aspects of their businesses and family,” Kate explains. The 150-year-old family operation spans 700ha (660ha effective) and in addition to conventional sheep and beef farming, she has established a shedding sheep stud and commenced the production of manuka honey. 117 hectares are dedicated to regenerating manuka as part of the Emissions Trading Scheme, while an additional 76 hectares are leased for maize cultivation for grain. We are proud to support generations of the Kellick family on Tokorangi Farm. We are a firm of chartered accountants offering, Financial Statement, Taxation, Business Advisory and Bookkeeping services to a range of clients, both on and off the farm. 06 345 8474 Whanganui | Marton admin@tpco.co.nz www.tpco.co.nz Breed for better host resistance to parasites with CARLA® The easiest option for breeding animals capable of maintaining productivity under a parasite challenge. Contact AgResearch to order your CARLA® Saliva Test kit today www.agresearch.co.nz/CARLA Kate says she is lucky to have a fantastic team of casual staff who help out on farm, special mention going to Mum Jill and Phil Wills, who she says has been a huge support. “Excitingly we are headed to the UK soon for more top Exlana genetics. There will be another auction this December and the team is hoping to have an Open Day a few months before that.”
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