SHEEPBREEDERS » Rangiatea Perendales
Business Rural
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Blair Gallagher, of Rangiatea Perendales, is on a mission – to source the best genetics available. PHOTOS – Top: A romney flock run by the Grays is involved in ongoing trials relating to a twinning gene called the davisdale gene. “The main focus of the davisdale flock is for our own replacement rams,” says Arnie Gray. The davisdale gene produces fewer singles and triplets, but more twins, making it ideal for a maternal flock, whereas sheep with the inverdale gene are ideal for a terminal flock. A further factor in Hillgrove’s genetic mix is that all suftex and texel rams are tested for the MyoMAX meat yield gene, which produces more muscling in the leg and loin, less carcass fat and a higher carcass weight. The stud’s texel flock now carries double copies of the gene. Hillgrove’s 350 SIL-ACE recorded suftex ewes are its biggest sellers, says Arnie.. “I’ve been line-breeding suftex since the early 1990s. The rams we use are all being used as
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terminal sires. Our main focus is on liveweight gain and yield.” The breed is also favoured because it is easily identified and, because it is early maturing, is also popular for producing store lambs. Texel and romney texel rams are sold either with or without the inverdale gene. Those with the gene are ideally suited for harsher inland areas where ewes cannot be flushed; the choice of rams is particularly important for farmers who are dependent on the store market. “They can use this gene and still get a good scanning, and grow the sheep out over the winter.” Arnie contacts his clients personally each year, to keep in touch with the performance of progeny and to discuss farmers’ needs.
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Quest for the ‘best genetics’ brings reward Russell Fredric Rangiatea Perendale Stud co-owner Blair Gallagher’s passion for sheep breeding has developed into one of New Zealand’s finest perendale studs. His quest to source the absolute best of genetics has led to Blair and his wife, Sara Gallagher, being recognised in this year’s Beef and Lamb New Zealand Genetics sheep industry awards where the stud received the Maternal Trait Leader for Lamb Survival award. The award means the stud was judged to have sire-rams with the best maternal genetics for lamb survival, based on figures supplied to Sheep Improvement Ltd, says Blair Gallagher. “It was thrilling really and it is based purely on the genetic merit that Beef and Lamb puts into the SIL programme. The exciting thing was that there were three perendales in that final award. It’s an accolade for the breed really.” The Gallaghers seek to select the best possible genetics to enhance bottom-line profitability in a commercial environment; all sheep are subjected to intense grazing systems, high stocking rates and are bred to perform. Blair Gallagher believes the award reinforces that perendales are good mothers and their lambs good survivors, particularly as the sheep population shifts into foot-hills and hill country situations. While much research in recent years into lamb survival has been connected to management and, environmental factors and traits such as mothering ability, the award is purely related to genetic merit for progeny which show a higher heritability for survival compared to other recorded rams.
It was thrilling and it is based purely on the genetic merit Beef and Lamb puts into the SIL programme. The exciting thing was there were three perendales in the final.
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