40 | Mokoreta’s inaugural on-farm sale Mokoreta Genetics has grown steadily since launching its stud program six years ago. Bernadette Cooney Matt and Natalie McRae of Mokoreta Genetics, are gearing up for their inaugural on-farm sale this December. They remain staunch proponents of re - invigorating New Zealand’s national flock numbers at a time when alternative land uses, like trees and dairy, threaten to shrink the sheep sector. In the rolling hills of Eastern Southland, the McRaes, alongside their three children and Matt’s brother Joe’s family, are the fourth generation to farm Eilean Donan, a property that reached century farm status in 2008. “It’s now 650 hectares, plus 300-hectare lease blocks. We currently run 10,000 stock units including some beef and dairy support, but the core of operations is 5400 commercial Romtex ewes and the 600 stud ewes,” says Matt. The McRaes bought over 400 head from the Wharetoa Genetics dispersal sale in South Otago earlier this year. They bought 80 Suftex ewes at the terminal sale and 150 Cooptex ewes at the maternal sale, plus 113 ram lambs and 65 ewe lambs, split between the two breeds. This investment has lifted Mokoreta Genetics’ breeding numbers significantly, allowing them to increase selection pressure and expand their stud capabilities now across three breeds. Matt has long respected the work of Wharetoa founders, Garth and Chris Shaw and is happy to carry part of their legacy forward. “We’re breeding a commercially focused sheep that will remain relevant and profitable in a challenging industry,” says Matt. “We’re selecting for traditional maternal traits like growth, meat, reproduction, survivability, and keeping good records of health traits such as faecal egg count, dag scores, body condition, and intramuscular fat.” With national flock numbers in decline, the McRaes are playing their part in upping numbers. “Holding sheep numbers nationally is important, and I think if we can play a small part in helping make the sheep easier to run and more profitable, then maybe we can help keep the national flock above 20 million. We can’t just wait for better prices; farmers need to continue to make real productivity gains.” Mokoreta Genetics has grown steadily since launching its stud program six years ago, with ram sales increasing from 15 to over 60 annually and climbing. Their first ever ram sale this December offers buyers a chance to see the rams in the environment they were bred for. “When buying a ram, there is nothing quite like seeing the environment they come from.” The sale will feature Cooptex and Suftex rams, including ones purchased from Wharetoa, plus MEAT & WOOL » Mokoreta Genetics selected rams from their own breeding program. With a mob currently over 200 ram lambs to choose from, Matt expects to refine that down to a strong offering that reflects the best of their genetics. Selection is strict, with heavy culling based on constitution, type, and genetics. “We aim to breed sheep that thrive in our Southland and Otago conditions.” Some Romtex rams may also be included in the upcoming ram sale, pending final decisions. Mokoreta Genetics sticks to a simple goal; to breed a healthy robust and efficient sheep that pay their way while giving the next generation of sheep farmers an opportunity to farm the land. Mokoreta Genetics Proud to supply Veterinary Services & Animal Remedies for Mokoreta Genetics
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