30 | Meat marbling sets Hampshires apart Hampshire lambs at weaning time. Colbion Downs’ top Hampshire sire. Sue Russell Michael and Janeann Mouat operate Colbion Downs Hampshire Stud, in Southland Knapdale, in the Gore District. This year, Michael admits, has had its challenges in the market, describing prices of stock sold as ‘sticky’. “We had to pull prices back a bit and we haven’t sold a stud ram this year. We do have a few local clients and we send semen and embryos to South American through Arthur Blakely.” Arthur has had many years working in the sheep genetics sector and as a former breeder himself understands what the market is looking for. In April Michael received a call from a woman keen to establish her own stud, purchasing 10 lambs from Colbion Downs. “She just loves the Hampshire breed and its good to see new interest in growing our Hampshire MEAT & WOOL » Colbion Downs genetic base.” It’s the breeds constitution, longevity and meat yield that pip it above many other breeds. Michael says its really important that farmers look after their rams. “It’s the age-old truth that if you look after your animals they will look after you.” Hampshires are one of the only sheep breeds that have marbling in their meat equivalent to the sort-after Wagyu beef, so popular in the market. “Adding Hampshire genetics into the mix is just another string to their bow. There have been quite extensive trials in Australia to assess meat marbling and Mt Linton are also undertaking trials here in New Zealand.” Michael is still very involved in the NZ Hampshire Breeders Assn as President for many years now but these past two years, impacted by COVID, has meant tours by members to visit farms in the North Island haven’t been able to take place. Michael’s optimistic this will change and a tour will take place next year to breeders further north. Lambs born at Colbion Downs are graded at birth into four categories. Michael says its interesting to look back on records kept from initial grading to see what a lamb grows into. “We’re pretty good at making those initial gradings. When you’ve been doing this for many years it becomes second-nature. Some lambs when they pop out, well they’re just a top-looker with great constitution.” As a breeder Michael says the decision to still lean toward the stud-quality attributes of the sheep has propelled the stud’s success in South America. Michael got his taste for sheep breeding from his father who had a Romney Stud on the home farm of his late father Jim and then as a married couple for Graeme Robertson who had the Merrydowns Stud. “You have to start with a good foundation and grow from there. You can’t make rats from mice.” He’s been in the game since 1991 and in a strange full-circle moment Michael says the woman who recently bought the 10 ewe lambs was the granddaughter of Bill Thayer who sold Michael his original breeding stock of 10 ewes. “I think Bill must have seen something in me that I didn’t know back then. Bill was a great mentor to me.” Hampshire Sheep were rst imported to New Zealand in 1860, essentially as a meat breed. The breed has remained a minor contributor to the national ock but its genetic impact has been signi cant. Now a third-generation farmer Michael says he’s proud of his contribution to the breed’s impact and hopes to see more people interested in the bene ts of owning Hampshires develop their own studs in time. “As an association we’re always keen to hear from anyone who would like to know more about the breed. Our members are all passionate breeders and we’re very much looking forward to our next tour away.” Earthmoving and Farm Maintenance Done Right 30 years of local knowledge and experience makes us the right people to talk to when it comes to earthmoving and farm maintenance. We explore every angle of a project upfront to ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently. For us, being the best isn’t about getting a job done fastest, or cheapest, it’s about getting it Done Right. Find out how we will get your project Done Right at tarbotton.co.nz Pleased to support Colbion Downs Alan Macdonald Jack Perniskie Erin Howes Tim Walsh Caleb Macdonald
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