54 | Methane research Sue Russell Canterbury sheep, beef and pig farmer Hamish Cottle can still remember the excitement of travelling, as a nine-year-old, from the North Island to the family’s new farm, near the Hunter Hills, on the outskirts of Timaru. “Mum and Dad bought this farm in 1989 and along with all our possessions they also brought down Dad’s six Clydesdale horses and four ponies, who made the journey by boat to Picton and then hooked up to a wagon we travelled down through the back-country stations to where we are now. Quite an adventure,” Hamish says. Once he finished school Hamish completed a butchery apprenticeship at Verkerks in Christchurch and then spent time overseas in Australia’s outback, followed by a stint in Scotland, working on farms. He returned to the family farm in 2006 and is now part of a strategised succession plan. The farm extends across 350ha and is home to 1600 Texel/Perendale cross commercial ewes, 450 mated hoggets and a Texel stud consisting of 200 ewes. 40 head of Angus/Hereford type cattle that go straight to the Angus for mating and a thriving freerange pork business are also part of the farm. The Texel sheep stud was established in 2007 and some 50-60 rams are sold each year. Hamish says his friend and fellow Texel breeder Peter Irvine has recently played a big part in enabling the stud to grow. “Peter had a farm to the west of Timaru. When he sold his farm, his stud ewes came onto Highgrounds Farm and were joined together with the Highgrounds stud and are now farmed together under a partnership arrangement. This arrangement has worked out great for both of us as its given Peter something to continue to focus on after the sale of his farm as well as the opportunity for me to tap into Peters knowledge of the Texel breed,” Hamish explains. “The breeding focus is all about building up the Texel ewe flock to display strong maternal traits with good functionality and muscularity. Another important focus we have is longevity, a trait often lost or overlooked in the quest to breed high performing sheep. “Texels are sheep with durability, they are very efficient animals with adequate growth as well as being very high-up on efficiently converting feed into meat.” Rams are sold through private sales, generally with the stud stock first sold early on in November and through December, followed by the commercial rams. Hamish says Texel genetics are sought after by farmers as a standalone maternal option or for cross breeding over other breeds such as Romney and Perendales. “Especially if you’re wanting to add a bit more meat and hardiness. Texels give you a bit more grunt. “Both Peter and I are really focussing on selecting sheep that display real Texel character as well as being powerful athletic and mobile to get across the country, easily to forage and perform (fit for MEAT & WOOL » Highgrounds Farm purpose). They must have good wide backends for ease of lambing and increased yield. We also look closely at finer detail like nice flared nostrils to maximise oxygen intake, adequate bone and a good strong jaw with a wide muzzle. These type of sheep tend to have a stronger row of teeth which last. The power and presence of a sheep often starts with the head and I think these characteristics are also closely associated with constitution and longevity” AgResearch has visited the farm to conduct Methane emissions monitoring on the Stud Texel flock. Enteric methane is produced by ruminant bacteria which produce methanogens which are found in all ruminant animals. “Methane is a heritable trait and from research back in 2019, a research breeding value for the trait has been established and added onto the SIL database.” So far, research is pointing to the positive link between low methane emitting animals, such as Texels, and overall efficiency, worm resistance and animal health. In the 14 years AgResearch has been investigating low emitting sheep breeds they have discovered that they tend to have a smaller rumen, with more stomach villi and a stomach which harbours a slightly different micro biome which more effectively breaks down feed creating greater conversion efficiency from grass to meat. “I have been told that they also tend to have more volatile fatty-acids in the milk, so it is all good news.” Hamish says that the methane testing is only the start of a journey “but we are wanting to see if it links positively with the type of sheep we are already breeding.” AgResearch has been able to put a dollar value on low-emitting sheep. “Between the low and high emitting lines at Agresearch a value of $13/head in terms of efficiency has been estimated. This includes traits such as feed efficiency, worm tolerance, and lamb survival. “It’s going to mean that in the future, buyers will be able to buy low methane emitting genetics to introduce into their commercial flock.” Hamish says he and wife Angela, who is the South Island PGG Wrightson Soil and Fertiliser Technical Specialist, know how fortunate they are to be farming where they are, enjoying an environment second-to-none. Their farming is driven by pillars around sustainable environmental care and animal welfare. “We want all our stock to have the best quality life possible while with us.” “It’s going to mean that in the future, buyers will be able to buy low methane emitting genetics to introduce into their commercial flock.” ag research technician Barry Veenvliet taking methane readings (top). Angela and Hamish Cottle (bottom). MAUNGATI LIME CO LTD Supp l i er s of Hi gh Qua l i t y L ime • Track Rock • Lime & Fertiliser Spreading • Lime Chip • Aggregate • Owner Operated Spreaders Alistair Johnson 027 433 8735 Sean Johnson 027 653 1722 Holme Station, RD2 Timaru Ph 686 4859 Main Road, St. Andrews PO Box 137, Timaru Cell: 027 4329 555 Phone: 03 612 6605 Fax: 03 612 6614 Email: www.standrewstransport .co.nz satrans@xtra.co.nz Proud to be associated with Highgrounds Maize & Fodder Beet Precision Plan�ng Chopping - Grass, Maize & Wholecrop Baling - Squares & Rounds - Balage, Hay, Straw Ag Work - Ploughing, Ripping, Direct & Roller Drilling Cartage - Feed Sales - Woodchip Jamie: 027 200 8872 Bryce: 027 200 8871
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