| 59 Great results across sheep & cattle The well-respected New Zealand stud, operated by Clayton and wife Jeannette from Peters Genetics at Beaumont, has reported impressive results across its sheep and cattle operations. Karen Phelps Peters Genetics has demonstrated the resilience of its breeding programme during one of the most challenging spring seasons in recent memory, with both lambing and calving exceeding expectations despite relentless wet weather, says Clayton Peters. The well-respected New Zealand stud, operated by Clayton and wife Jeannette from Peters Genetics at Beaumont, has reported impressive results across its sheep and cattle operations, validating its focus on breeding for survivability and maternal traits. “I was dreading my lambing percentage at our home farm Spylaw Farms at Edievale but it’s better than last year – it should be around 142% to the ram,” says Clayton. “Our sheep are easy care and good mothers. We don’t do a lambing beat, which is just as well this year as it was so wet.” “This spring really shows the survivability traits and how our genetics perform in real life conditions,” says Jeannette. Peters Genetics consists of Romney, Romtex, hotshot terminals and commercial ewes. Clayton’s focused on culling out the bottom performers leaving 1600 fully recorded and DNA tested stud Romney ewes. There are also 200 fully recorded Romney ewes that went to a Texel and 500 Suftex ewes in the stud. Clayton says that Peters Genetics strives to achieve increased survivability, fertility, growth rates, yield grading, and bright white wool across all stock. It incorporates a variety of breeds to suit the need of any farmer whether they are farming for meat, wool, breeding or a combination of all three. The stud’s commitment to transparency in its breeding programme allows farmers to make informed decisions when selecting genetics. “We show all our actuals on the day of each ram – weaning weight, 100 day rate, fleece weight and faecal egg count, eye muscle, skin thickness etc,” says Jeannette. A significant focus of the breeding programme has been developing natural resistance to worms, an increasingly important trait as drench resistance becomes more prevalent. “Obviously there is a lot of resistance to all drenches around now. MEAT & WOOL » Peters Genetics The less we use drenches the better,” says Clayton. Peters Genetics runs its stock in large mobs, accelerating the selection process for toughness and survivability. It implements a strict culling policy, which begins at scanning, ensuring only the most robust genetics are carried forward in the breeding programme. The operation has expanded since Jeannette and Clayton took over the family farming business following the passing of Clayton’s father Trevor, a stalwart of the Romney sheep breeding industry in New Zealand. The couple now manages 2,600 hectares and 23,000 stock units across their properties including Clutha Downs, which they lease, and their own farm Spylaw Farms. Jeannette and Clayton take an overseeing role in their larger business, working over both properties with the help of manager Justin Wallis, the stud master on Clutha Downs. Their business also includes an Angus cattle stud comprising 220 stud cows and 100 commercial cows, which also performed well during the challenging season. The cattle operation utilises top American, Australian and New Zealand genetics Southland and Otago’s Independently owned Ford dealership D Pleased to support Peters Genetics Alan Macdonald Jack Perniskie Erin Howes Caleb Macdonald Stephen Kornyei Gore Winton Queenstown Balclutha through an extensive AI programme. Peters Angus Stud is part of the legacy left behind by Trevor Peters who had a passion for the big black cattle. Each year the family gives other farmers the chance to benefit from their many years of investment in genetics. Peters Genetics will begin its ram selling by private sale in early December, offering approximately 400 Romney’s, 100 Suftex and 50 Romtex rams. The annual Peters Angus Bull Sale takes place at the end of May/early June, when around 30 top quality bulls will be offered.
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