Business Rural Spring 2021

68 | MEAT & WOOL » Te Rae Genetics Te Rae Genetics anticipate strong ram Te Rae Genetics Texel Poll Dorset rams (top); SuffolkTexel poll Dorset rams (below left). Kim Newth C hris Wilson is a fifth generation Southland farmer who is proud to own the Coopworth stud started by his grandparents Lance and Bev Wilson more than 40 years ago. Over the years, they developed the stud to breed Coopworth-Texel as well as Texel Poll Dorset cross sheep and Chris kept that stock when they sold the stud in 2013, (with the Coopworths going to Moeraki Downs Genetics). Building on his grandparents’ diversified ap- proach, Chris has since developed the stud – Te Rae Genetics – to include Coopdales and has recently added black-faced Suffolk over Texel Poll Dorset to provide another terminal breed. He even breeds a few Coopworths to honour his grandparents’ legacy. “There are still a handful of people who farm them – it’s about trying to keep this tradition going into the future,” says Chris. Today, the Coopworth Texel and Texel Poll Dorset are the stud’s two most popular breeds because of their good yields and strong growth rates. Rams raised on the hills on the family farm – South Hillend – have a robust reputation. The solid, high yielding sires are well suited to farming conditions in South Otago and Southland. “I have 120 to 125 two-tooth rams coming through for the summer ram season from mid-De- cember,” says Chris. “We’re breeding for hardiness and for low inputs – they can handle our rolling hill country very well.” Chris’ parents, Kerry and Sharyn, were sheep farmers too through to 2007 when they converted the farm’s flatland to dairy. Chris manages the remaining 322ha hill block as a sheep, beef and dairy support operation. “The beef and dairy side works out well by help- ing with worm burden and grass growth during that spring flush.” Malloch McClean is proud to support Te Rae Genetics. Te Rae Genetics Rams are solid, high yielding, versatile sires suiting any property and flock, bred on rolling hill country in Central Southland. Coopworth • Coopworth Texel • Coopdale • Tagged at birth for accurate parentage • Single Sire Mated • S.I.L. recorded • Myomax Tested • E.M.A. scanned • Hoggets mated & lambed with ease • Competitive, affordable sires • Strong bulky fleece—37 microns i for accurate parentage Si gl ir at • l i i i l i l i MATERNAL BREEDS 027 444 7072 chris.terae@gmail.com www.teraegenetics.co.nz Te Rae Genetics KEY TRAITS I CENTRE BUSH. SOUTHLAND Ph. (03) 236 0759 Fax. (03) 236 9759 Cell. 0274 328 988 Email. office@scullystransport.co.nz Rural Transport Operators Specialising in: • LIME & FERTILISER SPREADING • L ivestock & Ge neral Cartage • Trained Operators • Certified Bins • Equipped with GPS units • Seed sowing with modern spreaders Proud to support Te Rae Genetics Proud to be a Spreadm rk Registered Company