18 | Five decades of passion still strong for Eualie Eualie with grandson Lincoln and dogs Jazz and Dixie. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Dawnlee Dorset Downs When most 12-year-olds were focused on schoolwork, Eualie Thwaites was getting out of bed in the dark to watch black-faced sheep jump off a truck at her family’s Edendale farm. That moment in 1977 sparked a passion that has endured nearly five decades and established Dawnlee Dorset Downs as a respected name in New Zealand’s sheep breeding industry. “I had a passion for farming right from when I was very small. Mum could never get out the door without me,” remembers Eualie. “I’d run home from school to help on the farm and the odd day I didn’t even make it to school as I was too busy on the farm.” The stud began when her father attended a sale to purchase a Dorset Down ram and told Eualie about some black faced ewes for sale as well. Those original eight ewes from Darenal Stud and Trackley Stud became the foundation of Dawnlee Dorset Downs. By age 15 Eualie was already selling rams, and the stud has remained active ever since. She married Neil, a shearer with 11 years’ experience, and together they began farming at Edendale with 25 hectares they purchased, along with leasing her parents’ farm down the road. The couple ran sheep and beef before moving to their current Glencoe property in Central Southland 27 years ago. Today the farm runs 1,700 crossbred Motunui sheep, 100 Dorset Down stud animals, and a few cattle, with lambs going to Blue Sky Meats. Eualie and Neil are in partnership with son Daniel in the family farming business, which also includes a 433-hectare beef and hunting block at Tapanui with 250 beef cattle. Eualie has consistently participated in the Otago/ Southland Ram Lamb Trial, with notable success. “A ram I’m using at the moment won it,” says Eualie, who also works collaboratively with Longridge Stud, sharing and purchasing rams to strengthen both breeding programmes. “I’ve always liked Dorset Down as they are such a good meat animal and the lambs grow really fast for commercial farmers to get good lambs to the works.” The stud’s focus on growth rate and meat production has delivered impressive results. Eualie conducts eye muscle tests on both ram lambs and ewe lambs to achieve genetic gain, consistently averaging up to 25 EMA. “I try and target eye muscle to liveweight of 400,” explains Eualie. The Otago/Southland Ram Lamb Trial has indicated the stud achieves lifetime growth rates for lambs up to 350 grammes per day up to weaning. “They usually yield about 50 per cent off mum and I’ve got clients that consistently send lambs to the freezing works at 21 kilograms. At our farm we averaged $173 for our works lambs last season.” While the stud previously sold around 50 rams annually, land use changes have reduced this to approximately 25, with dairying and pine plantations replacing traditional sheep farming in the region. Rams are sold by private treaty and Eualie will have Dorset Down rams available over summer. Her expertise is recognised beyond her own farm. She judges the Dorset Down Double Crown class at the Christchurch A & P Show each year. “That’s my holiday for the year. It’s something I really enjoy,” says Eualie, who also regularly shows at Wyndham and Winton A & P shows. Eualie also serves on the Dorset Down breed committee and is a past president. The Southland/ Otago Dorset Down Breeders Group hosts regular get-togethers, field days, meals and takes part in the tours run by the New Zealand Dorset Down Breed Society to visit Dorset Down sheep in different parts of New Zealand. “I remain passionate about Dorset Downs,” says Eualie. “Some people farm to live - I live to farm.” Incorporared in 1996 to provide a service for farmer's and quality cleaned seed for customer's. 582 Highbank Cairnbrae Road, Methven RD 12 Rakaia 7782 03 302 1724 | 027 667 1118 CONTACT US mclellanshearing@gmail.com • 027 739 7000 Servicing Southland and South Otago Mark Potter Ph.027 471 3053 potterspraying@gmail.com Know for sure. Know for sure. Proud to supply Veterinary Services & Animal Remedies for Dawnlee Dorset Downs
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