| 33 Breeding for fast growth in West Otago Terminal ewes on Swedes (top) on the Howden family farm at Waikoikoi in West Otago. Ram Lambs (above left); Terminal ewes spread out for lambing. Kim Newth Romneys used to rule the pastures on the Howden family farm at Waikoikoi in West Otago. It’s the breed that Brian and Nola Howden started out with, but their search for better lamb survivability ultimately drew their attention to Texels. Buying the Meba Texel stud in 2005 was a gamechanger that paved the way to a half-Texel half-Romney commercial ock and set the scene for today’s productive operation. The Blythburn Genetex stud was added in 2009 and that same year another 121 hectares was acquired, bringing the farm’s total working area to 387 hectares. It was around this time that Brian and Nola’s son Nathan and wife Charlotte joined them on the farm, representing the family’s fourth generation on the land. “Today, we’ve got half-Texel/half-Suffolk, a Beltex cross and a few with Poll Dorset as well,” says Nathan. “We also have Charollais genetics and have got half-Charollais /half-Texel too. The objective is to get the fastest growth rates – that’s where farmers want to be.” The Howdens are looking forward to showcasing their quality two-tooths at an on-farm ram sale in the second week of December with up to 110 rams on offer. Texel, Genetex and other favoured breeds will be represented in the line-up. Romney-Texel ram lambs are also sold every year. With the farm heading towards lambing season, Nathan says scanning percentages are a little down on last year following a dry autumn that left feed on the lighter side. “Fortunately, we had a good May that got us out of jail so we’re looking a lot better than this time last year and the ewes are in better condition. So far, winter has been pretty mild.” To spread the risks of any potential bad weather around lambing, Nathan says they will do split lambing starting on September 1st, with the second lot of lambing starting on September 10th. “We’re hoping we’ll get nice, settled weather all the way through.” The objective is to get around 4500 cull lambs away to the works and keep 1200 as replacement ewe lambs. This is still very much a family farm with Brian, now 70, continuing to be actively involved though he prefers to leave the more physical jobs like crutching and drenching to Nathan. “He’s still out there shifting break fences and helping out wherever he can. Last year we trialled leafy turnips for fattening lambs and that’s been quite a game changer for us. We still use 17 hectares of swedes with three paddocks going into leafy turnips and another one to kale, (followed by oats as a cover crop). The lambs did really well on the turnips.” Nathan and Charlotte share the farm lifestyle with their children Augusta, 11 and Henry, 8. Charlotte, a landscape architect, also enjoys using her landscaping skills on various private projects in the area. MEAT & WOOL » Howden & Co Giving back to the community has always been important to this family. Nathan has played cricket with the local Waikoikoi club for many years and coaches rugby for the Eastern-Northern Barbarians. Looking ahead, Nathan says rising input costs are going to be “tricky” for many farmers over the coming months. “My advice is ‘take care with your spending’ because I think it’s going to be quite tough.” Proudly supporting Howden & Co Ltd Dale Paikea 027 204 2151 - Heriot Proudly supporting Howden & Co Ltd. Maitland Contracting Ltd Call Willy: 0276309032 Email: maitlandcontractingltd@gmail.com • Agricultural Work • Baleage • Hay • Straw
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