64 | Kelly Deeks The next generation of terminal sires is taking shape at Cordyline Sheep Genetics, where breeder Dave Robertson is combining leading Australian White Suffolk genetics with proven New Zealand performance data to push prime lamb production forward. As mating gets underway, Dave is putting another year of breeding decisions into action, with the focus on developing terminal sires that deliver easier lambing, faster growth, and improved carcass performance for commercial farmers. This season, half of the stud ewes and most of the hoggets have been inseminated with newly imported White Suffolk semen from Ashmore Stud in South Australia, using two sires recognised as Australian trait leaders for key profit drivers. “The two sires have more than 30 years of performance-recorded breeding behind them,” Dave says. “That depth of data is what interested me because we are looking for genetics that can genuinely move the dial.” One of the imported sires, Ashmore 24808, has strong figures for post-weaning growth and carcass yield. Sheep consultant Dr Jason Trompf described him as “a real meat wagon”, with genetics from an influential Australian bloodline known for producing trait-leading animals. “That was the bloodline we went over for, so it is pretty exciting to get the first pregnancies going in New Zealand.” The second sire, Ashmore 240404, offers a different balance, combining impressive growth and meat traits with lower birth weights and strong lambing ease figures. Dave says seeing the ram and his progeny on farm before using him gave confidence the genetics would complement what Cordyline already has. Alongside the imported genetics, Dave is continuing to assess home-bred ram hoggets from previous artificial insemination programmes. Standout performer 5003.74/25, nicknamed “Mongo” after the character from Blazing Saddles, weighed 73kg at 120 days old and ranks in the top 3% in New Zealand for growth, meat, and lamb survival. Another standout, 5003.90/25, represents a more traditional White Suffolk type and sits within the top 10 per cent of the NZ SIL database for carcass weight and post-weaning growth. Dave’s focus on measured performance continued through summer, with eye muscle scanning of the 2025 White Suffolk Rocket Rams brought forward after the hoggets showed strong development. The ram hoggets averaged an eye muscle area of 22 square centimetres at an average liveweight of 57kg, with the best animals recording an EMA of 29 at 74kg and 27 at 57kg. “Looking at the raw data and liveweight trends, the investment in some of Australasia’s leading carcass genetics is coming through in real terms.” Client feedback has also been encouraging, with Rocket Ram progeny producing strong weaning results and autumn kill weights exceeding 20kg carcasses. Fine wool farmers using the rams have reported straightforward lambing, heavier weaning weights, and animals that fit well within their existing systems. For Dave, the challenge is balancing breeding values with what can be seen in the paddock. “Breeding values remove the variables and help us find the truth, but farmers also want to see the sheep perform. It is always that balance between trusting the science and looking at what is actually in front of you.” “Genetic improvement is about where the average is shifting. You keep measuring, keep selecting, and eventually you create a new level of performance that farmers can see.” Between 70 and 90 rams will be for sale at auction in Oamaru in December. Very pleasing results Prime lamb production Sue Russell Since the last time Rural South caught up with South Canterbury sheep and beef farmers Duncan and Amy Scott, the annual ram sale, produced from their Dohne stud took place in December, a sale Duncan says delivered pleasing results. “Each year we hold our ram sale. It’s an occasion we all look forward to, given we really start eyeing potential rams to stand up from the day they are born. It’s interesting to see how they grow out. They can change week from week, so the selection process is quite dynamic.” Last year was the Dohne Stud’s third annual ram sale, now going under the name of Ballandean. Dohnes are true dual-purpose sheep, delivering on both the meat and wool fronts. “Our ewes averaged 19 microns this year and I don’t want to go much finer as this seems to be the sweet spot for optimum meat and wool production on this farm. At last year’s sale, held on 4th December under the Helmsman system, 37 Dohne, 21 Border Leicester and 8 Suffolk 2T rams were put up for auction and while the Dohnes sold for solid values, it was two of the Border Leicester rams sold as studs, that Duncan was especially pleased about. “It was super-pleasing to see these two rams shine at the sale. We’re very proud of the longevity of our Border Leicester stud, which was registered in 1938. One of the benefits, Duncan says, of the Dohne growing such a fine wool, is that when significant rain falls for an extended period, the wool handles it well. The fleece seems to drain well, and very little damage is done. Asked about plans for this year’s sale, Duncan says he’ll be putting up around 40 Dohnes, 20 Border Leicesters and 10 Suffolk 2T Rams The breeding programme is driven by the Scott’s simple philosophy to grow an animal that they would want on their farm and are therefore the studs farmed in a conventional, commercial style, so that the better animals shine through naturally. RURAL PEOPLE » Ballandean Ltd RURAL PEOPLE » Cordyline Southdowns Buyers come from a range of commercial farming situations and are looking for specific capabilities, however Duncan says by sticking to what they themselves like to see in an animal, the breeding programme delivers a solid all round good performer for others to select from. “People seem happy. I always ask for feedback after every sale and its always great to know how the rams are performing for their owners.” A lot of data is presented in the sales catalogue, though Duncan says that farmers like to see the sheep first-hand, using the catalogue to confirm and support their purchasing decisions. Duncan says the Helmsman style auction is loved by some buyers and hated by others. It’s an efficient way for bidders to make their decisions. The Helmsman process puts all animals up for sale at the same time, allowing bidders to choose multiple animals and to see, in real time, where their bids stack up compared to others. And while the Dohne performs admirably in wet conditions, they can also handle the dry, making them all round good doers, a reason, Duncan believes, that there’s growing interest from buyers in the breed, reflected in the good prices reached. Often, it’s the crossbreeding capability that commercial farmers are after because this is where progeny produce the meat. “The people we breed for have high country dry situations and this is where the stamina of the Dohne crosses are delivering results.” The Scott’s are looking forward to this year’s ram sale as selection time draws closer. “We’ve been pleased with the increased interest in our sales. It gives us the confidence to continue our breeding programme as we see fit and tells us we’re producing rams fit for a range of situations.” And away from the stock on the farm, another strong interest has grown in honey production. “My father started the interest in honey and managing hives but now we’ve made the decision to purchase the processing equipment and do this ourselves. I’ve worked on this machinery for 35 years, so it just made sense to do our own production. Our honey is sold to Airborne in Leeston.” THURSDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2026 Simon Eddington - PGGWrightson 027 590 8612 Lachie Crafar - PGG Wrightson 027 288 7529 PROUDLY ASSOCIATED WITH BALLANDEAN LTD OFF-ROAD LIVIN’ PROUDLY SUPPORTING BALLANDEAN LTD 03 688 7517 www.eastcoastpowersports.co.nz 3$''2&. %< 3$''2&. &251(5 %< &251(5 ˄ ¢ ˔ ʠ ¡ʠ ¢ ¤ ʠ ¡ ʟ ¤˄ ¤ ʠ ¢ ¤ ¢ ¢¤ʟ ¤ʟʟ¥ ŬŎƀûĺƛ ƀŨŨŎŬŹĤŅę !ŎŬûƛĺĤŅă ŎƀŹĠûŎƕŅŰ
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