Business Rural Winter 2021

36 | MEAT & WOOL » Cairnlea Poll Dorset Stud: Sam & Deb Stevens Ram called Ribeye has the right stuff Karen Phelps U sing semen from a ram called ‘Ribeye’ has proved to Central Otago farmers Sam and Deb Stevens that the animal’s name matches the results. Their progeny from Ribeye’s genetics scanned at an average of 25.8 EMA and an average liveweight of 72.7kgs. This has seen their average across the 108 sheep in Cairnlea Poll Dorset Stud lift to 4.1 EMA and an average liveweight of 67kgs as Ribeye has brought a lot of growth and meat into the stud. Their top ranked sheep had an EMA of 34.71 and a liveweight of 73kgs at 200 days old. To demonstrate the gains they have made in 2010 their top sheep’s EMA was 27.6. Sam says with the genetic pool shrinking in New Zealand due to the rise in popularity of dairy farming it made sense to head across the Tasman (Ribeye comes from Gooramma Poll Dorset Stud in New South Wales). “To put it in perspective, when we started 18 years ago we had 70-80 rams to choose from when we went to the sales in Canterbury. These days it’s more like 18-20,” says Sam. For the first time this year Cairnlea Poll Dorset Stud is also looking at intramuscular fat to keep ahead of the game and Sam says he will be inter- ested to see how this plays out in sales figures. Sam and Deb have built their farm business by combining their love of farming with teaching. Both are full time teachers with Deb holding a position at Poolburn School and Sam at Maniototo Area School. Sam hails from a long line of farmers – five genera- tions on his mother’s side. It was in 2003 the couple purchased their 240-hectare farm at Poolburn that runs Cairnlea Poll Dorset stud with 220 stud ewes and grazes 300 dairy calves and 100 dairy heifers. The couple started Cairnlea Poll Dorset Stud with stock from the stud of George Paterson (who is Deb’s father), which George started in 1972. Sam admits he got started with poll dorsets as that was simply what was available to them at the time but has gained a real appreciation for the breed over the years. “They are very hardy and will handle the dry particularly well. For growing lambs they are amaz- ing because the milk production of the mothers is incredible which gives lambs a very good start and results in great growth rates.” As a terminal sire stud they are primarily focused on growth and meat. Due to their busy off farm ca- reers they have also placed real emphasis on easy care sheep and cull aggressively to ensure they meet this target. The stud is achieving 145-160% lambing at weaning with minimal mothering and shepherding. They hold an annual on farm sale, which will be held December 10 this year. They will offer around 60 poll dorset rams, 15 poll dorset/suffolk cross rams and 15 dorset down cross poll dorset rams. Last year their average sale price was $1000. “This was surprising after Covid-19, which resulted in uncertainty in meat markets but lamb has remained steady so it’s a very positive outlook for the sheep industry.” “To put it in perspective, when we started 18 years ago we had 70-80 rams to choose from when we went to the sales in Canterbury. These days it’s more like 18-20.” Cairnlea Poll Dorest Stud’s Sam Stevens runs around 220 stud ewes at Poolburn with wife Deb. Both are also full-time teachers. Ryan Contracting Proudly Supporting Cairnlea Phone: 03 447 4080 | Mobile: 027 224 7540 | email: tim@dac.net.nz Registered Chemical Applicator RURAL CONTRACTORS NEW ZEALAND ® Qualified Contractor RURAL CONTRACTORS NEW ZEALAND ® Rural Contractors NEW ZEALAND ® Duncan Agricultural Contractors Ltd Peter 027 433 3522 | (03) 448 6378 | www.peterlyonshearing.co.nz Servicing wool growing clients in Southland, Otago & South Canterbury P ETER L YON S HEARING Ranfurly Transport Ltd Livestock Cartage Computerised Lime, Super and Seed Sowing Ready Mix Concrete • Gravel, Sand and Cement Supplies • General Cartage Phone: Richard 021 542 714 | Todd 027 449 2450 The Cairnlea ram lamb judged third in show at Wanaka A&P competing against fully grown rams. The same ram lamb from Wanaka show a couple of months earlier held by Ryan Shead, an Ag student from Maniototo Area school. Shearing underway at Cairnlea.