52 | MEAT & WOOL » Hampshire Ram Breeders Hampshire growth Colbion Downs ram lamb. Used over ewes. Russell Fredric Mike Mouat believes Hampshire is one of the most underrated terminal sire sheep breeds in New Zealand. Married to Janeann, the Gore farmer has been chairman of the New Zealand Hampshire for many years and describes the growth rate and meat yield of the breed as phenomenal. “If you go to any show and they have EMA (eye muscle area) scanning competitions the Hampshire win nine out of ten times, their meat yield is terrific, ” Mike says. The Mouat’s bought their first Hampshire’s in 1991 starting with 10 ewes bought from the late Bill Thayer who owned Granton Hampshire Stud and these ewes became the foundation flock for their own stud. “I saw the Hampshire’s at the Gore (A & P) show one day, I liked them and I thought if we’re going to start buying rams we might as well breed them. As they say, the rest is history.” That history now includes Mike and Janeann winning the new feature class, Carrfields Supreme All-breeds Ram Lamb at the 2020 Gore A & P show with their stud Hampshire ram lamb. They also won the Supreme Hampshire award as well as being presented with the inaugural Brian Brensell trophy by the retired Hampshire breeder. Developed in the county of Hampshire, England, during the nineteenth century, the breed arrived in New Zealand in 1861. In 1951/52 two new flocks were imported from England, followed by stock from Australia. Today’s New Zealand Hampshires are polled and have an open face, mature early, lamb trouble free, have a high survival rate and are highly regarded for producing heavy, quality lambs quickly, while the terminal sire transmits to its progeny more than 85% of its meat characteristics. Extensive trials conducted in Australia have also revealed marbling traits equal to Wagyu in beef breeds, Mike says. One vulnerability is that, like any down breed, the lack of wool at birth can can make them susceptible during a cold snap, but their high growth rate means they are “bullet proof” at a few days old, he says. Located about 10 kilometres north of Gore, the Mouat farm used to run 1500 Romney breeding ewes but no longer has these, but when it did the carcass weights of their lambs would typically average an impressive 22 kilograms. Their Hampshire stud today has 100 ewes, 40 ewe hoggets and 25 ram hoggets. The farm is a highly diversified operation comprising a 174ha home block and 80ha leased. Alongside the stud it supports 90 R1 and 145 R2 Jersey bulls, grazes 500 dairy cows over winter, grows about 500 tonnes of barley, 200 tonnes of silage and several hundred bales of baleage and straw. A key reason for the diversification was to reduce the amount of labour required, especially as Janeann works off the farm in retail. This system also provides steady cash flow through the seasons, but Mike is extremely concerned about the effect of the proposed emissions levy on farmers. “It’s absolutely bloody ridiculous. You can’t keep taking money off the producers. “How can (Jacinda Adern) make farmers reduce their stock numbers by 20% and dairy farmers by 5 or 6%; you’re finished, that’s your profit.” Colbion Downs Sire. P r o g r e s s i ve P e r e n d a l e s C r e s c e n t Hamp s h i r e s Our Hampshires are known for... • Breed Quality • Excellent bone, excellent constitution & excellent length • Strong, fast growth rates • Longevity • Top eye muscle scanning • Being one of the only sheep breeds that has marbling in the meat Rams & Ewes sold throughout New Zealand Live exporters of Hampshires to Argentina, Brazil & Mexico Mike & Janeann Mouat 250 Collins Road, Knapdale RD3 Gore 027 480 9570 l l i i i , il i Winner of the Carrfields Supreme All-Breeds Ram Lamb at the Gore A & P Show 2020 i l ll
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