Business Rural Spring 2021

52 | It’s all about breeding easy care sheep Kim Newth MEAT & WOOL » Nithdale Station B red for production and performance, the low input flocks that graze the hills of Southland’s historic Nithdale Station are also highly prized for their ability to handle tough conditions. Ram buyers know this is the place to find some of New Zealand’s most productive, dual purpose sheep. Breeding for over 40 years, Nithdale Genet- ics is an award winning stud operation practicing whole flock genomics. Gene testing everything in the flock is still comparatively rare in New Zealand, but it offers tremendous advantages. As every Romney and Suftex lamb is gene- tested at Nithdale Station, there is no guesswork on parentage and complete clarity on gene and genomic information, (such as MyoMAX gene status that influences meat yield). It means more accurate Breeding Values and by extension better selection decisions, all feeding through to faster genetic gain. Andrew and Heather Tripp, who are third genera- tion Southland farmers at Nithdale Station, are looking forward to welcoming clients to their No- vember open day (Friday, 19th November, 10.30am to 3.30pm). The couple expect to be busy with two-tooth ram sales through to Christmas. “We sell in different index groups – high, middle and low – for Romney and Suftex,” says Andrew. “There are more in each group than I know I’ll sell, so even new clients get to pick what they want.” Maternal rams from the stud are sold all over New Zealand. “We even have some going to the UK shortly. They will be flown over and get very special treatment!” Nithdale has two outstanding Romney flocks. Wairaki Romney, which is 100 per cent Romney and Nithdale Romney, which is 80 percent Romney and 20 percent Texel. Big gains in worm resistance have seen both flocks qualify for the WormFEC Gold Group, which means they rank in the top 18 flocks in New Zea- land for worm-resistance. Nithdale has achieved close to a 40% reduction in faecal egg counts over 25 years. “When we first started the Nithdale Romney stud some 40 years ago, breeding for easy care was our biggest objective and we have since made a lot of gain. We lamb everything on the hill and DNA test them so we don’t have to tag lambs. We can leave them to it and simply don’t breed from any animals with issues. “By breeding sheep that are resistant to internal parasites, it has enabled us to significantly reduce the amount of drenching we do and that’s a real advantage. It’s why we do dag scoring too, as we don’t want to dag them either. We have also been selected for facial eczema resilience, for our North Island clients. It’s all about having sheep that can handle that environment without a lot of manage- ment inputs or extra costs to the farm system.” Nithdale is a member of the Premier Suftex Group comprising 12 Suftex (Suffolk/Texel cross) breeders from throughout New Zealand, who have been involved in the South Island Genomic Cal- libration Flock at Duncraigen, Te Anau since 2014. This is paving the way for further improvements in productive traits as well as meat quality. Breeding values for intramuscular fat and tenderness have been incorporated into meat quality-indexing for the past five years. Nithdale will also have a small number of Romdale two-tooths (Perendale sire over Nithdale Romney ewes) available from November to give clients further options, while Romdale ram lambs will go up for sale in March. Russell and Philippa White and their three chil- dren, who previously farmed in the Catlins, have been at Nithdale since September 2018. Over the past year, Russell has stepped up from farm man- “By breeding sheep that are resistant to internal parasites, it has enabled us to significantly reduce the amount of drenching we do and that’s a real advantage” PROACTIVE ACCOUNTING YOU REALLYWANT P: 0800 427 739 E: business@harrexgroup.co.nz 0800 427 007 business@peerreview.co.nz www.peerreview.co.nz Business Transition Specialists INFORMATION - DECISIONS - DIRECTION PROUD TO SUPPORT NITHDALE STATION Gene testing Romneys at Nithdale Station. ager to share-farmer and is also actively involved in ram sales. Meanwhile, Andrew says a dry autumn has meant the ewes are a little lighter than usual but he is happy with scanning results to date. PETER CHISHOLM Mobile: 027 433 8943 Email: peterchisholm@xtra.co.nz LEIGH MCH CULTIVATION Ploughing Discing Power Harrowing Cultivator BALING Mowing Mower Conditioner Tedding Raking Round baling – with variable chamber balers Baleage Combination baler Individual wrapper CONTACT: CMC CONTRACTING CAN OFFER: SEEDING Fodder Beat precision sowing Direct Drill with rubber tyred roller Grass roller drill Heva 6m roller seeder PETER CHISHOLM Mobile: 027 433 8943 Email: peterchisholm@xtra.co.nz LEIGH MCH Mobile: 027 454 5139 CULTIVATION Ploughing Discing Power Harrow ng Cultivator Mole Ploughing BALING Mowing Mower Co itioner Tedding Raking Small Square b ling Round baling – with variable chamber balers Baleage Combination baler Individual wrapper Tube Wrapper CONTACT: CMC CONTRACTING CAN OFFER: SEEDING Fodder Beat precision sowing Direct Drill with rubber tyred roller G ass drill Heva 6m roller seeder Power harrow ridger combination Peter Chisholm 027 433 8943 • cmcadmin@xtra.co.nz | Leigh McHaffie 027 454 5139 Manager 027 770 4182 | Office Administration 03 208 5585 | Hours Mon - T ur 9am -12pm proud to support Nithdale Genetics Aerial fertiliser spread MacKENZIE AVIATION Pilot Kent MacKenzie PO Box 300, GORE Mob: 027 312 2824 Tracmap GPS Guidance P (03) 208 9193 M 0274 320 274