| 37 MEAT & WOOL » Middlehurst Station Ltd Middlehurst Station. Photo: Peter Eastway Pip Wilson 027 207 2882 MONTANA PERENDALES FERTILITY, SURVIVAL, WORM TOLERANCE AND VIGOROUS GROWTH “Such as, EBVs for foot rot and worms,” says Henry, “developing a sheep that can handle being under the challenge of foot rot, and obviously with the way things are going with drench resistance - getting a sheep that you don’t need to drench nearly as much, would be highly beneficial. So that’s where our focus is currently,” he says. Drench resistance is of increasing concern to NZ sheep farmers, as it results in production loss and increased parasite control costs. The Macdonald’s have already improved wool and carcass traits massively, through the power of genetics and EBV’s, and are already seeing good results in improved health and welfare traits. “We are maintaining good carcass traits and excellent wool, whilst focusing a lot on health and welfare traits which include foot rot and worm resistance.” The Macdonald’s started selling their merino rams through private treaty 20 years ago, and in 2019 held their first annual on-farm auction offering 80 rams. This number has since grown to 100 rams, eagerly sought after for their purpose bred genetics. Their upcoming ram sale is scheduled for January 30, 2025, and promises to be a worthy offering of quality two-tooth rams. Catalogues will be uploaded to the Middlehurst Station website from December.
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