26 | Glenrobin Beltex has carved out a niche The Robinson family’s entry into Beltex breeding was entirely unplanned. Karen Phelps MEAT & WOOL » Glenrobin Stud Rising sheep prices over the past year are providing much-needed relief to New Zealand’s sheep industry, offering hope that the ongoing decline in national flock numbers may finally be stemmed, says Southland breeder Michael Robinson. “People will be more inclined to stay in the industry rather than land being converted to forestry if they can make it work financially,” he says. Michael operates Glenrobin Beltex stud near Glenham alongside his parents Brent and Ann Maree Robinson. The family has witnessed firsthand the impact of land-use change, with a neighbouring property’s conversion to forestry removing approximately 17,000 ewes from the region this year alone. “The biggest challenge for my stud is the lack of ewes around now because of forestry taking over,” explains Michael. “There are too many ram breeders for the number of sheep in the country now which makes it a competitive environment.” But Glenrobin Beltex has managed to carve out a niche, focusing on the superior genetics of the Beltex breed to offer commercial farmers genuine value. The stud, launched in 2018, now comprises 380 stud ewes featuring Suffolk-Beltex and Poll Dorset-Beltex crosses. The Robinson family’s entry into Beltex breeding was entirely unplanned. They attended a Gallagher family sale - the first importers of Beltex genetics to New Zealand - purely out of curiosity. “We weren’t expecting to start a stud, but ended up buying a couple of Beltex rams and really liked what we saw,” says Michael. “We could see the potential in blending the high yielding double muscled Beltex with the fast growth of the Suffolk and Poll Dorset breeds.” The breed’s practical advantages are becoming increasingly apparent, says Michael: “A local butcher comes in and does a dozen or so lambs for us each year and they always say the Beltex are the best lambs they do in terms of carcass shape and meat,” says Michael. “When you hear that from a butcher when they see a lot of sheep in a year, that’s very satisfying.” The breed’s resilience has also proven valuable during challenging seasons. “Often other terminal sire breeds don’t have the best survivability. With a cold spring last year the Beltex lambs held up really well. They’re a tough breed,” explains Michael. Glenrobin’s breeding programme maintains careful balance between genetic improvement and practical application. The stud keeps Suffolk-Beltex lines stabilised at 50 per cent while gradually increasing Beltex percentages through the Poll Dorset programme. “We’re now successfully developing sheep that combine the Beltex breed’s superior muscling with the structural soundness needed for New Zealand conditions,” says Michael. The focus remains firmly on commercial viability rather than show ring success. As a terminal sire breed, the emphasis is on rapid growth and structural soundness that fits New Zealand farming systems. “We keep it pretty simple. Being a terminal sire it’s about trying to get lambs away as quickly as possible so we focus on growth and structural soundness,” explains Michael. He says market recognition of Beltex genetics continues to grow, with increasing numbers of commercial operators incorporating the breed into their programmes. “Beltex genetics are becoming more in demand. There is a lot of Beltex blood being used as a terminal sire. It’s an ongoing thing as people get more knowledge around the breed,” says Michael. The 650-hectare property, which has been in the Robinson family for five generations, also runs 5,000 commercial Romney ewes alongside a cattle operation. As farm succession planning gets underway, Michael’s commitment to continuing the family legacy remains strong. “The plan is to carry the farm on, like the previous generations have, for the generation coming after me.” Glenrobin Stud – Beltex Sheep Inspection Welcome Michael Robinson 027 210 5977 133 Robinson Road, Glenham, 1 R D, Wyndham 9891 or Brent Robinson 027 206 4958 Two tooth sale to be held on December 8th 2025 at Gore A&P Showgrounds incorporated with Bidr 50% Beltex X Lamb Carcases • Ease of lambing due to the double muscling not developing until after birth. • Vigorous and hardy in our cold southern spring weather, meaning good survival rates. • Sires with at least half Beltex, will give you lambs with good growth and an obvious advantage in carcase weight and meat yield. • The higher Beltex % you use will give you less fat and better meat yield. 03 206 4628 | 027 206 4051 | threeriverscontracting.co.nz 22 Cardigan Road, Wyndham | 287 Sparbush School Road, Northhope Proud to support Glenrobin Stud Baling Silage Harvesting Precision Planting Fodder Beet Lifting Cultivation Effluent Spreading Earth Moving Bulk Supplies / Cartage Feed Supplies
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=