HBT Ram Catalogue 2015

RAM

CATALOGUE

2015

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RAM

CATALOGUE 2015

W

elcome to the 2015 Ram Catalogue and with it an opportunity to read about the news, recent achievements, a bit of history and some thoughts from the region’s top breeders. And let’s not forget the all-important ram sales information along with some sound advice from a local vet.

We have an interesting selection of articles this year that we hope will inform, entertain and provide food for thought. For the first time this year readers can also view the Ram Catalogue online via the Hawke’s Bay Today website. www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz

CONTENTS 3 4/5 6 7 8 9 10/11 12-14

Positive outlook for sheep and beef farmers New era for Te Whangai Romneys Wool app provides a fresh approach to learning Ram soundness First lambs born in Data Drive Dollars trial Farmers encouraged to attend Focus Genetics ram selection days Grassendale - a very challenging environment to breed stud rams The Evolution of Primary Wool Co-operative to CP Wool

This publication is distributed extensively to rural areas throughout the lower North Island reaching a wide and appropriate audience. If you’d like to advertise next year or if you have any news or views to share we’d love to hear from you.

FEATURES MANAGER

Shirley Randell

06 873 0834 shirley.randell@hbtoday.co.nz ADVERTISING FEATURES CONSULTANT

Jacqui Hancock

06 873 0838 jacqui.hancock@hbtoday.co.nz Okawa Sheep Dog Trials, and Hawkes Bay Centre Championships 7 February 2015 Hawke’s Bay Today Photograph by Paul Taylor.

PREDICTABLE PROFITABLE PERFORMANCE GENETICS Modern, relevant genetics backed by over 50 years of uncompromised selection and common sense stockmanship under high stocking rates in the driest district in the Wairarapa.

2012 Te Taumata Romney Sale Rams

2014 Te Taumata Romney Homebred Sires

ROMNEY Est. 1962 & BORDER LEICESTER Est. 1958

CONSTITUTION, GROWTH, MEAT, FERTILITY, LONGEVITY AND AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO TOP QUALITY WOOL

2012 Te Taumata Border Leicester Sale Rams

Alistair & Eileen McWilliam 06 372 7861 or Jim McWilliam 06 372 7718 Visit our website www.tetaumata.co.nz Like us on Facebook

tetaumatagenetics

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CATALOGUE 2015

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POSITIVE OUTLOOK

FOR SHEEP FARMERS H

awke’s Bay sheep farmers can expect a lift in lamb prices this season but this is being driven more by a weaker New Zealand dollar than an increase in market demand.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) Economic Service New Season Outlook is estimating the annual average lamb price to be 547c/kg, which is up 4% on the provincial figure for last season.

While a smaller than the average lamb crop is expected to tighten supply this season, much of this price strengthening is due to the weakening of the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) against other major currencies.

In the coming year B+LNZ’s Economic Service is forecasting the NZD to be worth an average .63 US dollars, .61 Euro and .42 British Pounds.

On the East Coast of the North Island tight feed supplies have affected both ewe numbers and ewe condition at mating which means this year’s lamb crop is likely to be smaller than average.

This suggests that for farmers in the region, revenue from sheep is likely to remain static as improved prices are likely to be balanced by fewer lambs being sold.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Eastern North Island Director George Tatham says it’s been a tough winter for farmers on the East Coast with very low feed covers throughout the region.

“While the recent rain has caused problems in some areas, it has provided farmers with a much needed boost and brought soil moisture levels back to a point where farmers will be able to maximise the spring growth period.

“With the lower NZ dollar, both beef and wool look strong for the current season while lamb will hopefully have some upside from last season.”

Wool is making its way out of the doldrums and B+LNZ’s Economic Service is predicting wool prices to strengthen further in the coming season, lifting by as much as 13% on the previous year.

Looking ahead, economies in many of NZ’s lamb markets are growing, with the US economy expected to grow at an average of 3% over the next two years due to lower unemployment and lower oil prices.

Despite the Greek crisis, economic growth in the euro zone is expected to average 1.5% in the year ending March 2016 which is the highest economic growth for five years.

In the UK economic recovery is predicted to slow down to 2.5% by March 2017 however low oil prices and a dynamic labour market are expected to boost consumer demand.

Uncertainty still shrouds the Chinese market and its demand for sheep meat.

While the Chinese economy is slowing it is still expected to grow at 6.8% to the year ending March 2016.

KAHARAU RAMS ROMDALES • ROMNEYS • PERENDALES • Big active Rams with strong bone, constitution and good bulky wool.

• All twin Rams for sale.

• Ewes mated under commercial conditions on steep hill country • Excellent mothers produce hardy, fast growing meaty lambs • Have strong genetic traits of survivability and longevity.

• Wool weights recorded.

• Kaharau accredited Brucellosis Free • Over 50 years of breeding quality Rams • Successful and satisfied clients throughout the North Island

Inspection welcome at Rimunui Station, Gisborne. Contact: Penny Hoogerbrug Ph 06 867 4232 or 027 655 7104 Kevin Hooper - Manager - Rimunui Station Ph 06 867 8061 or 027 276 8331

Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Eastern North Island Director George Tatham says with a weaker NZ dollar lamb will hopefully have some upside on last season.

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NEW ERA FOR

TE WHANGAI ROMNEYS T

e Whangai rams will be sold from a new site this year as the Central Hawke’s Bay Romney stud, established more than 40 years ago, continues to grow and evolve with three generations committed to producing easy care and parasite resilient rams for today’s farming operations.

Founder Bay de Lautour has focused on breeding for resilience since the late 80’s following a chance meeting with three Australian scientists, in New Zealand for an Australasian Society of Animal Production meeting.

“They told me how an Australian farmer had thrown his drenching gun

away and after twenty years had flock resilience to internal parasites.”

The findings struck a nerve with Bay and he went on to work with scientists at Wallaceville Research Centre who set up a trial for finding the heritability to “resilience”. Te Whangai has been selecting for this trait ever since 1991, resulting in a reduced need for drenching.

Now, more than ever, that resilience trait is becoming more and more important for farmers, says Hamish de Lautour.

“It’s no secret that New Zealand’s sheep flock is becoming resistant

to the drenches on the market and it’s been discovered that for most types of internal parasites it’s not the actual effect of the parasites that is the problem, it’s the sheep’s immune response which causes the loss of production, daginess and ill thrift that we see. Therefore selection of animals which display good growth while still under a parasite challenge is one of our key drivers – we are definitely producing a very robust animal, that’s for sure.”

Te Whangai is located at high altitudes in southern Hawke’s Bay with low fertility soils, strong westerly winds,

and unreliable summer rain. Given Te Whangai’s location the rams need to be hardy, in fact it would be tricky to find a more challenging farming environment, Hamish says.

Coastal farmer Mark Warren has been buying Te Whangai rams for 30 years and says the rams and their progeny do very well on his medium to steep country.

“They are efficient, no nonsense animals and they are bred for tough conditions. There have been times when I have brought in other sheep and I’ve expected them to perform like the Te Whangai sheep and they

TE WHANGAI Bay de Lautour ‘Tukipo Terraces’ PO Box 114, Takapau.

(06) 855-6827 tukipo@xtra.co.nz

TRY N U O C L L I H ROMNEYS

Hamish de Lautour ‘Te Whangai’ R D 2, Waipukurau.

(06) 857-7926 del@wnation.co.nz

HAPPY WITH YOUR SHEEP PERFORMANCE??

IF NOT - ask yourself this ...HOW DOES EVOLUTION WORK? At TE WHANGAI only the high achievers get to breed under our tough feed, parasite and culling regimes.

OUR AIM is to ruthlessly bred the most profitable sheep for our own

commercial flocks, using large numbers, heaps of recording but NO BULLSH-T.

IF THAT APPEALS TO YOU, GIVE US A CALL?

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CATALOGUE 2015

just haven’t been able to stand up to the conditions.”

Mark says he is also pleased with the hogget wool weights and the ability of the Te Whangai bred lambs to produce carcasses at the optimum weight required by the meat companies.

“Our highest value killing sheets have been from Te Whangai progeny.”

Hamish de Lautour says wool weights and longevity remain a key focus with all ram hoggets side sampled to build a database of information around the value of processing attributes - bulk, micron, colour and yield.

While resilience is a key ongoing motivator for the team, so too is producing rams known for high fertility.

By the early 1990’s the average number of lambs born to the recorded ewes was more than 190 per cent with only twinning two-tooths being retained.

Since the early 80’s the de Lautours have made ram buying as easy as possible for farmers with a central location at Tukipo Terraces providing a perfect distribution point. As the property is now moving into a new phase of farming, land has been purchased on Lindsay Road, just 5 minutes from Waipukurau, with a set of covered yards being built in time for the busy sales season.

“The new block will be good for wintering hoggets and early lambing ewes and the rams will come down off the main farm in early spring in time for buyers arriving from the middle of November.”

What started with a handful of buyers in 1970 has now grown to around one

hundred buyers with 20 per cent of those coming from the South Island.

“We have developed quite a unique selling system where we have canvased our clients and know what they require in terms of trait preference and animal type so we individually ensure clients are able to select rams to suit their needs,” Hamish says.

Different coloured tags are used for different traits to make the process as efficient as possible for buyers.

“It’s a lot of work but it means every buyer should be getting what they want.”

Staying in touch with customers and being involved with the latest scientific research has always been an important part of improving the stud for both Bay and Hamish, with regular trips together around the country in a Cessna 172.

“It’s been handy to be able to fly to Wairarapa Romney Improvement Group meetings, of which Te Whangai was a founding member, and there have been plenty of trips to animal science events around the country.”

Third generation Harry de Lautour has returned from overseas, including a stint playing rugby in Russia, and is working alongside Hamish running the day to day operations of the flock.

“Harry has done a few seasons selling now, so farmers are getting to know him. He is able to quickly interpret the data we are collecting and is coming up with new ideas to continually improve the flock, not to mention he and his partner Kate, have the energy and drive to sustainably take the stud into the future.”

Located near to you to provide prompt service and low transport costs.

All lots sold at auction are fully tested including length and strength.

Privately owned to keep charges low, always working on your behalf.

www.kellswool.co.nz

NAPIER (06) 835 6174 - TAIHAPE (06) 388 0001 - WAIROA (06) 838 3173

Staying in touch with customers and being involved with the latest scientific research has always been an important part of improving the stud for both Bay,left, and Hamish.

Harry de Latour has returned from overseas, which included a stint playing rugby in Russia, to work alongside Hamish at Te Whangai

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WOOL APP PROVIDES

A FRESH APPROACH TO LEARNING P

rimary ITO has teamed up with Wool Systems to develop a free mobile app that supports learning in the wool industry. Made up of three parts – a multiangle shearing video, a logbook and wool handling game – the app engages wool trainees in a new and exciting way, using new technology.

Interactive video The interactive video provides a view of shearing positions from multiple angles. It allows users to compare shearing styles and positions with those of an expert. This provides the ability to record or use a video of themselves shearing a sheep and then view it sideby-side next to the professional shearing video. Trainees can then compare techniques and body positioning in order to hone certain aspects of their technique.

“Apart from actual in-person training, it’s difficult to show the correct shearing positions in detail,” explains Robert McCrone from Primary ITO, who was involved in the app’s creation. “For example, a simple diagram or video of a sheep being shorn will not properly identify the positioning of the shearer’s knees. The goal of the video is to show this highly complex task that involves

several manoeuvres and body positions,” says Robert.

Log book

The ‘Work Log Book’ enables learners to record their experience, including the place, dates and duration of the time spent shearing. This is useful for those who need to complete set hours as part of their training, or who wish to note their experiences if they later wish to communicate this when applying for future roles.

Wool handling game

The app also features a wool handling game to help users identify the correct parts of a fleece and then, sort it.

“Books with large amounts of text are generally not the best way to get this information across to our trainees. So we came up with an engaging, yet educational, game that requires users to use their finger on the phone to slide certain parts of the fleece into the correctly labelled fadge. The aim of the game is to try and stay ahead of the incoming fleeces and last for as long as possible as the difficulty increases,” says Robert.

Mavis Mullins, Director of Paewai Mullins Shearing Ltd and supporter of Wool Systems, says the app’s

development was about having some technology for the sector that could be migrated into a real training record.

“The app is the perfect match for our people because they all have smartphones, and it’s a transient industry.

The app is going to evolve and develop over time, and so far we’re been very happy with the uptake,” says Mavis.

As well as a fun and interactive way to engage with trainees, the videos will be used as learning resources and directly linked to learning outcomes in our new training programmes.

Meldrum Romneys

S

T

To download the free Wool Systems app go to the iTunes store, GooglePlay or woolsystemsapp.com.

A

T

I

O

Bred on and for the hills Perendales Flock 34

N

Poll Dorsets Flock 335

55 years breeding and selection for low maintenance, sound performance and fertility.

• Robust performance selection ensures only the best 2th rams are available for sale • Growth rate; fertility; wool; parasite resilence; survivability; easy lambing

Enquiries John & Carol Wingate, Castlehill Road, Rd 3, Eketahuna Phone 06 375 0602

This year’s sale rams are sired

by FE tolerant sires.

Enquiries and inspections always welcome.

To progress your flock contact: Douglas Robbie ph/fax 06 376 7765 • Donald Robbie ph/fax 06 376 7250 Email: dcrobbie@xtra.co.nz • Tiraumea, RD 3, Eketahuna

www.otapawa.co.nz

Upskill your staff and develop your own management expertise to build a better business.

Boost farm efficiency with industry training

Our focus is to work alongside you to identify the skill needs of your team and develop a training pathway that’s tailored to your business.

Primary ITO provides a wide range of on-the-job, NZQA registered training programmes, from entry level through to business management.

Call and talk to your local training adviser today.

Register your team now!

SIL RECORDED STUD FAX

Agriculture National Certificates General Skills

2

Stockmanship

2

Breeding

3

Animal Health and Husbandry

3

Feeding and Pastures

3

Rural Staff Management

3

Dairy/Sheep/Beef Farming

4

Production Management

5

Diploma in Agribusiness Management

5

We also offer a range of short courses.

0800 20 80 20 I www.primaryito.ac.nz PrimaryITO_HBT_141015

Level

LK0077148©

• Meldrum has been producing hardy, productive hill country Romneys for 46 years with 900 SIL recorded ewes

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RAM SOUNDNESS

By Dr. Anyika Scotland

Vet Services Hawke’s Bay Ltd

Rams are the most expensive sheep on the property and what do they get? Dirty old holding paddocks, grass under the tree block or anywhere you can pop them into a corner out of the way?

I will concentrate on how we should treat our rams once we have carefully selected them from the breeder.

First of all, a lot of hogget rams are now brought and chucked in with the rest of the rams and what happens? They get bullied and beaten up and then we expect them to do the best job at mating time. It would be better to identify these younger rams and keep them in a separate mob or with other rams lambs.

This means they will not lose weight leading up to mating and will be rearing to go at mating time. Two tooth rams need space too so keeping them apart from the older rams may not be a silly idea before their first mating.

So what other health checks are required in these very expensive highly bred rams?

First we need to understand how the testes work. The production of sperm in the ram is most efficient when the internal temperature of the testis is about 4 degrees Celsius below body temperature.

So what factors will influence the temperature of the scrotum?

• Hot weather • Physical exertion-pushing them hard in the hot weather • Any scrotal thickening such as chorioptic mange • Fever-this can be caused by footrot, flystike, abcesses etc • Over-fatness • Heavy wool over the scrotum • Unfavourable transport-overcrowding and hot weather These conditions can cause the testicles to reduce in size and the sperm to degenerate. The degeneration of the sperm is seen after about a week. However the worrying factor is the cycle to produce new sperm takes approximately 2 months!

So what does this mean? We need to look after our rams, especially in the two months leading up to mating. They need to be 5 in 1 and salmonella vaccinated well before mating. Plus dipped for fly and lice to ensure you are covering all bases. Any lame rams need to be dealt with quickly and their feet trimmed to prevent any more problems in the lead up to mating. They need to be in a body condition over 3 so they can lose some weight over mating but also need to be fit so they do not break down once the pressure comes on. How would you like to face 50 wives when you have a beer belly!

They need to be checked by your local vet to ensure the testicles are the right size, two testes are present and they feel firm. They are checked for any lumps in the epididymis which can cause severe infertility in the ram. Often at this stage abscesses can be found from shearing cuts or other causes. We can also feel thickened skin on the testicles which once rubbed the rams start to nibble

or bite. This indicates active chorioptic mange lesions which can cause temporary or permanent infertility. I often find one abnormality in every 100 rams checked.

So the aim is to look after our most expensive sheep asset on our farm and let them be working at 100% when they are let out with the girls. Then there are no excuses!

EST 1950

Anui Romneys ARE YOUR SIRE RAMS VET CHECKED? Right now, with new spring lambs on the ground, you are exactly half a year away from needing your sire rams to do their job again.

And now is a really good time to get them vet-checked for a clean bill of health.

CONTACT US THE CLINIC TO BOOK IN FOR A CONSULTATION AND MAKE SURE YOUR SIRE RAMS ARE AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE If you have been part of our “Ram Runs” before, we will be in contact with you soon. If you have missed out previously and want your investment in rams to be guaranteed, please ring one of the clinics and we’ll make it happen.

801 Heretaunga Steet, Hastings 43 Takapau Road, Waipukurau 193-195 High Street, Dannevirke 210 Taradale Road, Onekawa, Napier

06 876 7001 06 858 9060 06 374 7021 06 843 5308

www.vshb.co.nz

Romneys Dorset Down Tefrom • Fully SIL & Studfax performance records • Romney NZ meat yield progeny test • Sires are DNA tested for sheep 5K • Worm resistance programme in place

Inspections Welcome WILLY PHILIP

102 Laws Road, Dannevirke P 06 374 8857 Email: anui@xtra.co.nz

JOHN PHILIP

923 Mangatuna Road, Dannevirke Ph 06 374 2861

DANDALEITH ANGUS

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FIRST LAMBS BORN

IN DATA DRIVE DOLLARS TRIAL T

he first lambs to prove if better genetics return greater profits have been born in Central Hawke’s Bay The lambs are part of the “Data Drives Dollars” trial which is a joint project between Massey University and red meat genetics company Focus Genetics, supported by Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics. The project aims to find out if there is a financial advantage in buying rams with high genetic merit, or not.

Led by Dr Rebecca Hickson of Massey University and Dr Richard Lee of Focus Genetics, the project involves two farmer working groups from the East Coast and Wairarapa, with the project running at Simon Wilson’s Mt Herbert Station in Waipukurau and Taratahi’s Glenside Station in Gladstone.

Mr Wilson said the mild weather had ensured a good lambing season with few stock losses.

The first of his Data Drive Dollar lambs were born on August 8 and all the lambs were docked on September 15.

The ewes scanned 179% and docked at 168% with twins weighing an average of 15.7kg and singles averaging 18.5kg.

All the lambs were DNA tested and tagged to identify the sire of each lamb, so performance can be directly linked to genetic make up.

The lambs will be weaned on 10 November and farmed for another month to remove any of the mother’s influence, before final weighing in December.

Mr Wilson said he was confident the final results will show there are real benefits in selecting rams on genetic merit.

“Personally, this trial has opened my eyes to the gains that can be made. If the results stack up, it could be a game changer – because it will be based on facts.”

Dr Lee said the group was considering extending the data to full slaughter information on the lambs.

“This will significantly boost potential ‘value differential’ between the two groups of rams – those of high and low genetic merit – which is the essence of this innovative trial.”

Data Drive Dollars involved using two teams of rams of high and low genetic merit over 500 mixed-aged ewes on each of the two properties, with Glenside Station lambing 17 days behind Mt Herbert Station.

Rams were selected based on estimated breeding values (EBVs) for live weight at eight months of age and the trial will compare the lambs’ live weight up to four weeks after weaning.

Interest in the trial continues to grow with more farmers wanting to be involved including new requests to see the trial extended to both slaughter of trial lambs and also a new trial utilising maternal traits.

The final two field days will be held in December and January consecutively, to announce the results. These days will be open to the public.

Mt Herbert Station Data Drives Dollars trail ewes pre-lambing August 2015

Ram Focus From left to right Dr Rebecca Hickson (Massey), Simon Wilson (Mt Herbert) and Dr Richard Lee (Focus Genetics)presents to the CHB Data Drives Dollars Group.

AUCTION

Friday 18th December 2015 Flock 489 SIL Recorded

at Stortford Lodge Saleyards

Starting at 1:30pm (following the MA Ewe Fair)

Offering: 85 quality Poll Dorset Rams.

r G fo A N I T TES ECZEM IAL FAC lerance To Top rams on display at the Hawkes Bay Royal Show Full Ram records available, see www.purelydorset.co.nz Weaning weights, growth rates and eye muscle areas all available

En Enjoy E njo oy the the Benefits Benefi fitss of of Future Futu ure e Markets.

Marke kets ts.

Use rams that are bred to produce sheep with Worm Tolerance, Parasite Resistance & Production, Fertility, Survival, Wool, Muscle & Meat Yield

Graeme & Sue Maxwell Ph: (06) 839 7412 Email: rangioratrust@xtra.co.nz

All rams grass fed only - no fancy crops Brucellosis accredited

For more information

Call Phil King

Phone: 06 856 5709 Mobile: 027 221 4816 Tikokino Road, RD3, Waipawa, Hawke’s Bay

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FARMERS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

FOCUS GENETICS RAM SELECTION DAYS F

armers keen to purchase rams from red meat genetics company Focus Genetics are being encouraged to view the rams during November’s selection days.

Dannevirke farmer and ram breeder Grant Massie, from Bonnie Glen, says he’s been impressed by the early farmer interest and several buyers have already visited to check out the rams before making an order.

Mr Massie is one of ten Focus Genetics ram breeders hosting selection days. He has been selling Highlander rams for 19 years and Primera rams for 16 years.

He’s noticed an increase in demand for rams from both breeds, the Highlander as more farmers are wanting to purchase genetics that can improve fertility and the Primera as their ability to produce fast growing meaty lambs is being recognised.

He has 90 Primera and 70 Highlander rams for sale and all have been used as sires as hoggets.

“It’s great to see farmers coming out to the property because it gives us the opportunity to show how the sheep and the breeding program are progressing and for us to learn how the sheep are performing on farm and to learn more about their businesses and challenges. It’s a two way street”.

Along with regular customers, Mr Massie says he’s seeing new buyers who are looking for higher performance and enquiring how the genetics might help them achieve their

goals. These are great conversations to be having and exactly where Focus Genetics and their ram breeders want to be, closer to their clients. It also demonstrates the breeds are becoming a more popular choice and farmers are putting more emphasis on genetic merit.

Focus Genetics maternal programme focuses on traits that are important for ewe replacements and an efficient ewe that can look after herself and rear healthy, fast growing lambs. The terminal programme focuses on traits that are important for meat production and quality.

Focus Genetics sheep programme manager Dr Richard Lee says with the lambing season underway, thinking about next year’s rams might not be top of mind, but it’s a great time to consider your ram requirements for 2016.

Farmers will be starting to get a pretty good handle on docking percentages, growth rates and ‘Prime Off Mum’ performance, and can start looking at what could improve for next year, he said.

Focus Genetics two tooth selection days start in November, with hoggets being selected in March.

“Regardless of your preference for proven rams in two tooths, or the latest genetics in hoggets, we invite all buyers to come to the selection days to view and select their own rams and meet the breeders and breeding team,” he said.

Goudies 2 tooth Romney rams

North Island selection dates are; Tate Road, Te Kuiti Tuesday 3rd November from 8:30am

Pohuetai Farms, Dannevirke Thursday 19th November from 8:30am

Waipuna Farm, Wanganui Tuesday 17th November from 9:00am

Bonnie Glen, Dannevirke Thursday 19th November from 1:00pm

On Farm Research, Poukawa Wednesday 18th November from 8:30am

Goudies Station and Waikite Station, Rotorua/Reporoa From 23rd November

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“IT’S A VERY CHALLENGING

ENVIRONMENT TO BREED STUD RAMS.” G

rassendale Genetics, owned and operated by George and Luce Williams, is predominantly Wairarapa hill country of some 1580 hectares on the Castle Hill Road between Tinui and Alfredton in the Wairarapa.

It’s a summer dry environment in which George and his small team aim to grow their lambs as fast as possible. It’s also a high wind area with the soil a combination of coarse sandstone, argillite and mudstone.

George describes Grassendale as “a genuine store breeding property,” with a policy of early weaning, some 75-80 days

as part of the drought mitigation policy.

Weaning early has a number of benefits such as giving the ewes a better chance at recovering condition and it enables them to offer very presentable store lambs in November. George aims to reduce numbers down to wintering levels by 10 December to maximize the ewe body weight before the dry.

The couple, who married in 2005, were born and bred in the Wairarapa and both have “farming in their DNA,” says George who started his working life aged 16 at Wairere.

Initially the couple were in a joint venture with Wairere Rams breeding Romneys.

They bought Grassendale Farm from Luce’s parents (John and Sue Dalziell) and also the Valley Coopworth stud from Ross Seymour in 2009. The couple seized the opportunity to secure the Coopworth flock, wound up the very successful joint venture and set out to breed and sell rams on their own.

The last decade has essentially been a building phase says George, who admits it’s been a busy decade with much goal setting and reviewing progress in association with advisors such as their manager at

Rabobank, their accountant at Markhams and farm advisor from Wairarapa Property Consultants.

The couple have three children Max, 8, Sofia 6, and Harvey 5, and Luce spends a couple of days tending to the administration for Grassendale Genetics then at least another couple of days assessing/ diagnosing and treating horses for varying musculoskeletal issues.

Since the recent acquisition of the Raho Ruru Romney stud from Marcus Edge and John Hume the couple have joined the Wairarapa Romney Improvement Group,

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11

or WRIG for short. WRIG, which comprises nine breeders, is the breeding base for 32,000 recorded ewes all in the Wairarapa, says George. Annually the group supplies 6,000 rams for sale. A best estimate is an excess of 30,000 WRIG rams will be used across New Zealand flocks. “The Warrens and the Daniells families are a source of great knowledge and are the biggest and the best at what they do.”

George and Luce’s key goal for their clients is “to breed and supply structurally sound, high performing genetics that ultimately make farming easier and more profitable.” Only their top 30% of rams make it to selling status.

There’s a strict nil drench policy on ewes, and a severe culling regime on various traits, in particular any with feet issues.

“We’re after something that’s able to withstand a harsh environment. So if things can thrive here they can thrive anywhere.

The grass fed platform is a very challenging environment to breed stud stock, which in my view is where you should be. The hill country is a good place to test mothering ability and if the stock make it to the top 30 % in difficult Wairarapa country conditions they are sure to thrive in less harsh conditions.”

Facts and figures 5,000 ewes including 1,000 recorded Coopworth, 500 recorded Romney and 500 recorded Romney Coopworths (Romworth) 220 breeding cows 100 R2 trading cattle 150 R1 trading cattle 1000ml rain (usually!!)

Millstone Poll Dorsets and South Suffolks All rams palpated, Brucellosis accredited free flock Selected for: Conformation Constitution Carcass

Rams available for private sale, Contact Heughan Gordon 068746195

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THE EVOLUTION OF PRIMARY

WOOL CO-OPERATIVE TO CP WOOL H

ow does a small band of Hawke’s Bay farmers become part of a 42year legacy, evolve into a partnership with the newly branded CP Wool and help change the face of the national wool industry along the way?

Some may recall – and even personally know – the Dannevirke farmers uniting together in 1974 with the intention of shortening the supply chain and getting the grower closer to two things: the end user and their fair share in the profits.

Decades later this forward thinking group has grown into Primary Wool Co-operative and gained first-hand experience in exporting, dag crushing, scouring, spinning, wool transport, international trade, brokering, marketing and manufacturing.

All of this while working to be a positive voice championing their fibre and a uniting force in the industry along the way.

So how did this happen?

The Evolution: Highlights of the early years

In 1972 a Dannevirke development group was looking into the prospect of setting up a wool spinning mill in the district, the area regarded as producing some of the best carpet wools in the country.

Reflecting on those days, founding member and current Primary Wool Cooperative Chairman and CP Wool Director,

Bay de Lautour says “I was very involved in reading and discussion from the mid 1960’s through the big ‘wool debate’ at that time and a very strong supporter of reform. In 1973 I was invited to take part in an investigating committee to check the feasibility and later plan the building of the New Zealand Woolspinners mill at Dannevirke.”

Out of this vision East Coast Wool Co-operative was formed to support the new wool spinning plant, New Zealand Woolspinners Ltd, to allow farmers to participate further down the supply chain in scouring, spinning and exporting.

East Coast Wool Co-operative did well for its members returning nearly $1,000,000 in rebates and dividends and 340,000 bonus shares on the original $190,000 invested. Over the next few years, the Cooperative continued to track successes and strategically move into other parts of the wool industry including scouring, transport, export, brokering and direct supply.

The Evolution Continues

Recognising the need to strengthen and expand wool services, in 2005 Primary Wool Co-operative entered into a joint venture with Elders New Zealand Limited.

Elders Primary Wool Ltd (EPW) was formed to take over the wool stores, wool trading and transport operations.

Bay de Lautour.

At this point, Primary Wool Cooperative Ltd, which can effectively trace its heritage back to 1972, became an investment company. The Cooperative has always been and still is 100% owned by farmers, but now gives them a stake in a major NZ wool business with a local and national reach, and international plans through the Just Shorn™ programme.

In this investment role, the Cooperative takes advantage of new opportunities to support industrywide activities that are working to unite, promote and make the industry better for the next generation of wool growers.

In August 2014, Elders New Zealand Ltd was purchased by the Carr Group of Ashburton, returning EPW to 100%

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CATALOGUE 2015

New Zealand ownership: 50% Primary Wool Co-operative and 50% Carr Group. EPW recently transitioned to Carrfields Primary Wool Ltd, trading under the brand CP Wool. By virtue of the 50/50 joint venture, Primary Wool Co-operative receives half the profits of CP Wool and the co-operatives’ 1200 plus farmer-shareholders receive the benefits of sharing in the ownership of CP Wool.

At the time of the ownership change, Group Managing Director of the Carr Group Craig Carr said “The change to CP Wool will align with the change across other parts of our own business to Carrfields. We are looking forward to a unified brand in the market and will continue to focus on growth and diversification within the industry.”

Bay de Lautour echoed the same sentiments when he said “I am confident the brand change will herald the next chapter in the growth of our New Zealand wool business for both co-operative members and our clients.

We are in a solid position for growth across the whole business.”

In further recognition of the value of the farmer-shareholder connection, Howie Gardner, long standing Director of Primary Wool Co-operative, has been appointed Chairman of Carrfields Primary Wool to help guide it into a successful future.

Primary Wool Co-operative is driven to carry out the founding farmers dreams of moving the grower closer to the end user and their fair share in the profits. They see this progressing through solid participation in the New Zealand market and through CP Wool’s

strategic investments in Just Shorn™ and the 58% ownership of NZ Yarn.

They firmly believe growth will be possible if the industry continues to unite and growers focus on delivering high quality product that meets the changing specifications demanded.

So, back to the question posed at the start. How does a small band of Hawke’s Bay farmers become a part of a 42-year legacy, evolve into a partnership with the newly named CP Wool and help change the face of the national wool industry along the way?

The answer is an unwavering belief in wool, a commitment to 100% farmer ownership, a willingness to respond to market needs and a determination to make a positive difference for the wool industry as a whole.

David Carter, left, Stuart Chapman and Karl Johnson.

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13

Hamish De Lautour.

Howie Gardner.

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a. Commercial traits i.e. open face, high twinning (also will be exaggerated by hybrid vigour from crossing with your flock) b. Selection for worm tolerance for over 37 years. c. Easy care traits. Selected for commercial traits not show traits. d. High yielding wool clip, averaging 83%. When run in conjunction with Romney stud for ten years Lincolns wool yield was 1-4% greater than Romney’s: Scientific Fact.

5. Wool sold at Auction in Napier has many times topped the crossbred market, aided by low Y-Z factor = Whiteness 6. Heavy clipping Lincolns are high twinning ewes.

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CATALOGUE 2015

PWC TO CP WOOL TIMELINE 1972

Dannevirke development group meet

1973

Investigating committee formed re Dannevirke wool spinning plant

1974

2005

Elders Primary Wool (EPW) created through a 50/50 joint venture between Primary Wool Co-operative and Elders NZ

NZ Woolspinners Ltd formed

2011

The Co-operative was the premier feature sponsor at the NZ National Fieldays

1975

NZ Woolspinners installs the North Island’s first grab sampling machine

2014

Carr Group purchases Elders share returning EPW to 100% NZ ownership

1974

East Coast Wool Co-operative formed with 350 members, being 100% farmer-owned

2014

EPW takes a 58% share in NZ Yarn

1980

NZ Woolspinners sold to Feltex

2015

Carrfields Primary Wool Ltd launches the CP Wool brand

1980’s

Supply contracts with Feltex make the Co-operative their biggest North Island supplier

2015

Primary Wool Co-operative has 1,300 members and is still 100% farmer-owned

1984

Wool transport joint venture between the Co-operative and McNicol Transport

1984

Co-operative participated with other major exporters in a wool for oil barter deal with Iran

1988

Wool brokering arm established

1992

The NZ Wool Board commissioned Arthur D Little report recommended that “fibre companies” be set up and the McKinsey Report quoted the Cooperative’s model as being ideal

1994

Farm to Yarn Ltd established a back to back pooling system between farmers and Feltex that was later to become the Fernmark QA scheme

1994

Co-operative registered under ISO 9002 quality system

2001

Elders Wools absorbed into the Co-operative

2002

AWE McNicol becomes wholly owned by the Co-operative

2002

The Co-operative acquired a half share in Hawkes Bay Wool Processors

2002

The Co-operative and CRT come together to form a national wool resource

2002

East Coast Wool Co-operative renamed Primary Wool Co-operative

2002

Primary Wool Co-operative had 800 members and was still 100% farmer-owned

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RAM

CATALOGUE 2015

15

NZ FARMING EXPERTISE

FOSTERS NZ-CHINA RELATIONSHIP

M

assey University animal scientists have been appointed as expert consultants to the XinBao farm, Urumqi, China to foster the business relationship between China and New Zealand.

Professors Hugh Blair, Steve Morris and Paul Kenyon from Massey University’s International Sheep Research Centre have been visiting China over the last 10 years to establish relationships with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shihezi University staff and, more recently chief executive officer of XinBao Dr Harry Gao. Their most recent visit involved visiting the XinBao sheep farming operation on Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps property. The immediate goals of this farm are to produce one million lambs annually from 500,000 ewes with year-round lambing, and to capitalise on co-products like methane from animal waste and electricity from shed-mounted solar panels.

During the visit the scientists designed a $NZ400,000 research project to collect baseline data which will allow the assessment of productivity and profitability of any proposed changes to the farming system. A total of seven research projects are being developed over the next three to six months for which XinBao will contract Massey

University’s expertise in sheep production and education.

Professor Blair said the rate of progress has been “incredible” and this comes down to sharing knowledge between the two countries.

“We are occasionally challenged

by New Zealanders who think we are giving away the country’s knowledge in sheep farming, however, we believe the opportunities for New Zealand to collaborate in Chinese tertiary education and on-farm research provide major opportunities for New Zealand to learn, improve and share.”

He says the benefits flow both ways “We are discovering things about indoor sheep farming systems that might have a place in environmentally sensitive parts of New Zealand”.

As well as environmental benefits, Professor Blair says there is huge economic opportunity for New Zealand.

“China is a significant trading partner for New Zealand and anything we can do to improve our relationship is beneficial.

This includes research mentoring and collaboration.”

“China will shortly be the powerhouse of science discovery – current projections have China overtaking the USA in the next 5-10 years (depending on what criteria you use). Massey wants to be part of that

Rohan.

Has a habit of spreading.

Professor Paul Kenyon (second from left) and Professor Hugh Blair (far right) inside the XinBao sheep facility.

knowledge generation, just as we have been part of the euro-centric knowledge generation for the last 150 years.”

In April 2015, XinBao was granted two billion New Zealand dollars of funding from the Chinese government to assist

with achieving the vision of increased sheep meat supply as part of the Central Government’s drive to substantially increase national red meat production.

Massey University

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