68 | MEAT & WOOL » Moutere Downs Moutere Downs has bred Romney and Poll Dorset rams since 1978. The farm runs 3000 ewes – a mix of Romney and Poll Dorset X – and 1000 replacements. Richard Loader I’m yet to meet a farmer who is not passionate about what they do; the care of their land and animals, the environment and helping to feed the hungry mouths of the world. Despite spiralling costs and a tsunami of legislation that challenges the farmers’ ability to farm, that passion drives why they do what they do, every day. Peter Moore’s passion is his sheep, and particularly the genetics side of producing high quality, top performing sheep at Moutere Downs, the 469-hectare family farm that he owns with his wife Cathy. Nestling the Rosedale Valley near Upper Moutere in the Tasman District, Moutere Downs has been in the family since 1959 when Peter’s father and uncle gradually cleared the gorse carpeted land using a small D2 bulldozer. Flat to rolling topography, with a northern boundary of steep hills, Moutere Downs is in an idyllic locality, perhaps better known for grapes and hops rather than agriculture, but lending itself to plenty of off-farm grazing. The farm runs 3000 ewes – a mix of Romney and Poll Dorset X – and 1000 replacements. All lambs are finished on Raphno, lucerne or a Tall Fescue/ Herb mix. Moutere Downs has bred Romney and Poll Dorset rams since 1978, originally for the farm’s own commercial flock, but then sold to other farmers as reputation spread. “Since the late ‘90s, we’ve focused on worm resistance,” says Peter. “Our Romneys are one of the top Wormfec Gold flocks and this year’s crop has a high percentage of 5 Star rams, meaning the rams are above average for New Zealand maternal worth and in the top fifteen percent for FEC. “This year we recommenced testing for facial eczema. In the ‘70s and ‘80s, there were several severe outbreaks in the valley. Now, using worm-and facial eczema-resistant rams, we hardly see any clinical signs of the disease. We were worried we might see a severe reaction to the test, which involves deliberately exposing the animals to the disease. But as yet, none of our rams are showing symptoms.” Selective Alexanders are proud to support Moutere Downs and Peter & Catherine Moore. TRUCK & DIGGER SERVICES — JASON BROOKS 027 274 3657 • Earthmoving • Forestry Roading • Section Clearing • Demolition • Driveways • Bulk Cartage • And more... For all your agricultural and horticultural spreading Proof of placement GPS mapping 0800 542 383 | Dean 027 431 4090 office@brooksspreading.co.nz www.brooksspreading.co.nz Proud to support Moutere Downs 03 544 1200 www.tcvet.co.nz Caring for “all creatures great & small”. Servicing farms across the Nelson/Tasman district We are very happy to support Moutere Downs 35 McGlashen Ave, Richmond 25 Edward St, Wakefield
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