20 | Glenross Station building on a Wiltshire stud The philosophy has always been centred around attaining quality, not mass production. Sue Russell RURAL PEOPLE » Glenross Station Manager of Hawkes Bay’s Glenross Station, Marcus Hildreth, leads the day to day operation at the sprawling 830ha sheep and beef property, 40 minutes inland from Napier/ Hastings. He returned in 2016, following time overseas to take over general operation of the station, home to Hildreth Ram stud, following a stint overseas, which included time cattle ranching in Canada. Glenross Station is a family business. Marcus’s father David, has had a long association with the Romney breed and is considered an expert within the industry given his understanding of the part good genetics plays in producing fit-for-purpose rams, suited to the demands of commercial clients. “Dad looks after the processing of data to SIL, who provide very detailed data on each ram’s genetic worth. With the use of evolving technology and research we’ve been able to increase our genetics significantly and I put this down to the quality and scope of information we gather and record from every ewe and ram.” This is the third time Rural North has spoken with Marcus. Earlier conversations have focussed on strategising a farm environment plan and the ongoing focus on building natural worm resistance in the stud, which today numbers 2200 mixed age stud ewes and 1000 ewe hoggets. Another recent addition to the fold has been in purchasing and building on a Wiltshire stud, a breed noted for their self-shedding capability. “They’re a phenomenal ewe flock, even type and high performing. We’re keeping the flock quite small and focussing on their productive value, in terms of fertility and lambs weaned and constitutional qualities,” Marcus says. He stresses that the philosophy has always been centred around attaining quality, not mass production. Rams need to deliver in the commercial situation for clients and be relied on to perform admirably for several years. “We have a very well-established client base, given the stud has been in existence for so long. With a lot more clients coming on board, there seems to be a big push back to Romney.” As Marcus puts it, ‘Genetics and Time, love each other’, with the former benefitting by an understanding that things can’t be rushed. “You’re always balancing traits and genetic gain. You have your key traits, fertility, survival, growth while other traits such as worm and FE tolerance, evolve over time. Pushing one too much, will impact the valuable base traits.” Along with the sheep, Glenross Station has 180 mixed-age black angus cows, considered an important ‘tool’ in creating optimum pasture quality for the sheep to enjoy. “We’re 78% sheep on the farm and our numbers are pretty well spot on for what we’re looking to achieve.” Sheep are exposed to worm burden and Marcus says its been pleasantly surprising to see the natural worm tolerance capability of the Wiltshire sheep. “Their lambs are enjoying the best of both worlds, in terms of wool shedding and inherent worm resistance. We’ve had some overseas stud breeders looking to buy some Wiltshires and interested in getting some of our genetics, which is encouraging.” Know who’s who, fast NEW& IMPROVED PRODUCT NEWKIT RapID Evo Tag RapIDmatic Evo RapID Tagger Evo ÈÐ áÐ ØÌÏÐ ×ÚßÞ ÚÑ ÞØÌ×× ÐáÚ×àßÔÚÙÞ ßÓÌß Ì×× ÌÏÏ àÛ ßÚ Ì ÍÔÒ ÏÔõÐÝÐÙÎÐ ÅÓÐ ÙÐâ ÃÌÛºµ ¶áÚ ÔÞ ÏàÝÌÍ×Ð ÝÐ×ÔÌÍ×Ð ÌÙÏ ÐÌÞä ßÚ àÞÐ ÞÚ äÚà ÖÙÚâ âÓÚ Þ âÓÚ ØÚÓÌâÖ ÚÝ ÙÚß ÈÔßÓ ÐáÚ×áÐÏ ÎÚÙÙÐÎßÔáÔßä ÌÙÏ ßÝÌÎÐÌÍÔ×Ôßä Ôß Ì×ÞÚ ÞÌáÐÞ äÚà ßÔØÐ ÚÙ ßÓÐ ÒÝÚàÙÏ ´ÚÛäÝÔÒÓß [ _]_b ¾ÐÝÎÖ ´Ú ºÙÎ ÃÌÓâÌä ¿» ÆIJ ÌÙÏ ÔßÞ ÌùÔÌßÐÞ ²×× ÝÔÒÓßÞ ÝÐÞÐÝáÐÏ ¿Ë#²××÷Ðã#_b^]]]]]a Allflex is proud to be a trusted partner of Glenross Station
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