26 | Training cadets for success, farming for productivity Genetic gain has built cumulative advances in productivity. Kim Newth RURAL PEOPLE » Jeff Farm South Otago’s Jeff Farm is well-known for the excellent cadetships it provides to motivated young people, equipping them with a wide range of practical skills and experience needed to thrive in future farm careers. Run on behalf of the Salvation Army, Jeff Farm is very much focussed on productivity too, in turn helping to generate much-needed funding for its parent charity. Mike and Tarryn Benton, respectively Farm Manager and Farm Administrator, are dedicated to seeking out ongoing improvement at Jeff Farm. The productive 2433ha breeding and finishing property carries around 25,000 stock units with all the progeny finished on farm. Genetic gain has built cumulative advances in productivity. For some 20 years now, high performance rams have been sourced from Southland’s Duncraigen Farm. “As of last year, we’ve also started buying Texel rams from Hemingford in North Canterbury, as we’re going to start breeding a Romney-Texel B-flock,” says Mike. “On the beef side, we’ve also started getting some genetics from Umbrella Range Angus – Argyle Station, alongside the Angus genetics that we get from Delmont Angus. It’s all about targeting high producing, hardy animals. With the cattle, we also have a huge emphasis on temperament - so we have good quiet cattle for the cadets - as well as structural soundness.” Jeff Farm also works closely with stag breeder Peter Allan, of Maple Valley Deer Far, in Central Southland. Maple Valley breeds quiet, high growth rate stags that suit Jeff Farm’s breeding system. Cadets have good opportunities to learn about the farm’s genetics programme. They attend the Delmont bull sale every year and join the trip to select rams at Duncraigen Farm, giving them invaluable insights on EBVs and what to look for. • Drainage & Excavation • Gravel & Rock Supply • Site Works • Bulk & General Earthworks • Aggregate Cartage • High Pressure Drain Cleaning • Muck Spreading Ken Adams - 027 445 5813 Craig Ross - 027 224 4880 admin@k2kontracting.co.nz K2 KONTRACTING LTD CALL NOW FOR A JOB WELL DONE Phone Mark Spain or Martin Smith - 03 218 3712 Martin Smith 027 432 8930 or Email: o ce@spainsmith.co.nz Get the best for your sheep for e ciency & reliability Proud to be associated with Jeff Farm This year, cadets also joined a Beef + Lamb New Zealand session on beef genetics. Tarryn’s background in agricultural science from Lincoln University, with a focus on animal genetics, combined with her part-time role as Data Manager, SIL Bureau with Genetic Gains Ltd, means she can also give extra support to cadets wanting to learn more about EBVs, genomics, how to interpret stud data, and ways to increase genetic gain. Jeff Farm’s two-year cadetship programme
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