Business Rural Summer 2021

24 | Mike and Janeanne Mouat took out the Supreme All-breeds Ram Lamb with their stud Hampshire ram lamb at the Gore A&P Show in 2020. They also received the Supreme Hampshire award and were presented with the inaugural Brian Brensell trophy. MEAT & WOOL » Michael Mouat Stud owner happy to shine the light on Sue Russell M ike and Janeann Mouat are third genera- tion farmers on their 174ha flat to rolling farm at Knapdale, near Gore. Proudly born and bred in Southland, Mike spent some time overseas experiencing other farming types, returning to pick up work again with the DSIR before eventually buying the family farm. “I had some wonderful farming experiences, such as working at Merrydowns Farm working for Graeme Robertson. He is a master stock man and I learnt a great deal working there for a couple of years.” Just prior to the world turning upside down with the COVID pandemic the couple won a new feature class, Carrfields Supreme All-breeds Ram Lamb with their stud Hampshire ram lamb at the popular Gore A&P Show in February 2020. They also received the Supreme Hampshire award and were presented with the inaugural Brian Brensell trophy. Mike says their farming district is mainly dairy- ing and their farm size is typical. “When we moved on to the family farm we needed a terminal sire to put over our Romney ewes. This is when I looked for the first time at Hampshires which I knew northing about.” In 1991, Bill Thayer sold Mike 10 Hampshire ewes and, as Mike says, the rest is history. Today, Mike and Janeann have 100 stud Hampshire ewes, 40 ram and 50 ewe hoggets. He admits that everyone has their particular bent toward sheep breeds and what they like to see in their stock. For Mike, it is about constitu- tion. “I like big, strong, bold animals with ter- rific bone and the Hampshire breed has this in spades.” At the time when, as Mike describes it, farming got pretty sick, in the 90’s with high interest rates the couple were running a commercial flock of 1500 ewes. To compensate, they sold half their sheep and opened up the farm to dairy grazing. “We then sold all our sheep and concentrated on dairy support, wintering 500-700 cows. We also have 300 service bulls and growing 450 tonne of grain as well. “We have to make 1000-odd bales of hay to see us through winter but when we have excess feed we buy in lambs, fatten them up and sell them.” The Hampshire stud is Mike’s pride and joy and today, he’s really pleased with the genetic gain he’s bred into the flock. The stud, is now 30 years old and Mike says the hard work and care he’s put into building up the stud is paying dividends. “There’s an old saying that if you look after your stock they will look after you and that’s certainly been the case.” Pleased to support Michael Mouat Alan Macdonald Jack Perniskie Erin Howes Tim Walsh Caleb Macdonald 03 203 9010 Your local transport specialist 03 203 9010 | hokonui.rural@hwr.co.nz find us on facebook | www.hokonuirural.co.nz Call us today to discuss all your transport requirements Proud to be associated with Michael Mouat For a competitive, no obligation, free quote, contact us today!