4 | RURAL PEOPLE » Anglesey Farms Family farm thrives on Snowline strength Established by Bill and Lisa Anglesey, the home farm is 280ha, and they lease an additional 320ha effective neighbouring property which son Blair manages. Anne Boswell A commitment to proven genetics is paying dividends for Anglesey Farms, a family-run sheep and beef operation in the Sherry River Valley, an hour southwest of Nelson. The business has built its flock around Snowline sheep genetics - a decision that’s delivering consistent fertility, resilience and the type of high-performing animal that fits perfectly with their commercial farming system. Anglesey Farms is a true family concern. Established by Bill and Lisa Anglesey, the home farm is 280ha, and they lease an additional 320ha effective neighbouring property which son Blair manages. Blair’s brother Keegan rears the 50 dairy-cross steers that help tidy up after the sheep. Blair lives on the farm with his wife Lissie and their three children, working closely alongside his parents to share the workload between both properties. Blair’s journey back to sheep and beef came after eight years in dairy farming straight out of school - a return to his roots that’s proved rewarding. Together, the family runs about 4,600 sheep across the two properties: 3,600 mixed-age ewes and 1,000 replacement ewe hoggets. While Bill’s flock was originally Coopworth and Blair’s was Romney, Snowline has been the breed of choice for two decades on the home farm and around 15 years on the lease block. The benefits are clear, Blair says. “The Snowline ewes are very fertile - we scan at around 185– 200%,” he says. That fertility is matched by strong mothering ability, and an excellent cold-weather survival trait; all Snowline mating rams are DNA-tested for the cold tolerance survival gene, with the vast majority scoring the highest possible A.A rating. “On a cold wet day during the lambing beat there are fewer sad-looking lambs that need to be picked up,” Blair says. “The Snowlines’ cold tolerance really shows through.” Thanks to the breed’s bare pattern index, dagging and crutching is reduced. “They still get dags, but they are really easy to crutch,” Blair says. “It only takes about three blows on the ewes. Snowline genetics produce a nice-looking ewe.” Snowline sheep, developed by the McDonald family of Otago, are bred for commercial practicality. The breed’s compact body type, thick carcass, strong constitution and mid-micron fleece make it well suited to the varied conditions of New Zealand’s hill country. Snowline ewes can be run unshepherded under commercial conditions, producing high-yielding lambs with minimal intervention. The once-a-year shearing and reduced dagging and crutching are additional traits that make life on the farm much easier. Snowline also offers terminal sires, providing Anglesey Farms with a convenient one-stop source of breeding genetics that aligns with their commercial lamb finishing goals. For all your Transport and Logistics requirements 03 525 9843 | www.sollys.co.nz Freight | Storage | Bulk Cartage Livestock | Stock Feed | Fertiliser Proudly supporting Anglesey Farms Sales Enquiries: sales@filco.co.nz 141 Quarantine Road, AnnesBrook, Nelson (03) 547 2420 With over 36 years of continual service to our customer's needs and desires, we tirelessly strive to offer the ultimate motorcycling experience. 0274 517 134 www.hogarths.co.nz office@hogarths.co.nz For all your Fertiliser, Lime & Seed Requirements Supporting Anglesey Farms to grow our region For the Anglesey family, the combination of strong family teamwork and proven Snowline genetics is producing a thriving farming business - and the kind of resilient, high-performing sheep that any farmer would be proud to run. “The Snowline ewes are very fertile - we scan at around 185–200%,” he says.
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