| 115 Fresh genetics set to boost Hampshire Stud Karen Phelps Bushy Park Hampshire Stud is entering its next stage of development with plans to introduce new genetics from overseas and expand its breeding programme following a productive year for the Outram-based operation. Sam Young and his wife Emma have continued building the stud, originally started by Sam’s parents Debbie and Lindsay Young, which was previously being de-registered. The couple are still increasing numbers and maintaining a strong focus on quality with the stud currently selling around 10 to 12 rams each year from December. When the couple travelled to the UK for their honeymoon recently they took the opportunity to visit several sheep shows as well as a Hampshire breeders’ sale. “It was a good chance to meet with a lot of breeders,” says Sam. “They are getting a premium on Hampshire cross lambs at the meat works there because of the eating quality being so good. So that was interesting and could bode well here too. We are looking at introducing UK semen as the ON FARM » Sam Young and Emma Shaw Marshall Ag & Baleage Ltd - running 2 hard centred bailers individual wrap or tube - round bails up to 5 feet - Running claas jag 870 chopper - plough, power harrow, level-roll, discing, direct drill, roller drill - tip trailer - 027 464 3321 Sam Young and Emma Shaw bloodlines are getting pretty close in New Zealand in the Hampshire breed.” The Youngs have also been able to strengthen their genetics closer to home. Michael Mouat of Colbion Downs Stud in Southland recently held a dispersal sale where Bushy Park purchased a number of his stud ewes. Sam says Michael also has Australian semen that originated from lines connected to the Youngs’ original genetics and they are hoping to obtain some of that material. The next step could be an artificial insemination programme with the couple looking at introducing AI next year to increase genetic diversity and accelerate breeding progress. Meanwhile customer feedback has given the Youngs confidence that the stud is heading in the right direction. “Talking to ram clients, we’ve had some good feedback,” says Sam. “Last year we never had to advertise to sell our rams, it was all word of mouth. They seem to be happy and getting results. We will keep increasing stud numbers and working at keeping quality as good as we can.” The stud is part of a wider farming operation on the family’s 45-hectare property. Bushy Park functions primarily as a sheep and beef fattening unit. The Youngs farm 150 commercial Romney cross ewes with Hampshire terminals, producing between 300-350 lambs annually. Complementing this the farm also fattens approximately 20 cattle each year. The Hampshire stud itself comprises around 50 ewes run alongside the commercial mob with Sam and Emma employing strict selection criteria to maintain quality. “If a ewe doesn’t produce a lamb it’s out the door. Also if they are not producing good weighted lambs we get rid of them. We select our ewe lambs from the early heavy weighted lambs for replacements,” explains Sam. Sam grew up on Bushy Park and is the fourth generation to farm the land. In addition to working on the farm and developing the stud, Sam works part time for another local farmer doing casual shepherding and Emma works for Clutha Vets. For Bushy Park the coming year will therefore be about steady growth. Sam and Emma are still increasing numbers and maintaining a strong focus on quality with the stud currently selling around 10 to 12 rams each year from December.
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