Sheep Industry Excellence Celebrated
Sheep Industry Excellence
Celebrated
The important role ram
breeders play in New Zealand’s sheep industry was
celebrated at the third annual Beef + Lamb New Zealand
(B+LNZ) Sheep Industry Awards.
About 230 people attended a dinner in Napier, where 10 genetics-based awards and five sector excellence awards were presented. Results of the genetics-based awards were calculated based on ram breeders’ performance in SIL-ACE (Advanced Central Evaluation) – the large-scale, across flock and breed genetic evaluation of more than 300 ram breeding flocks.
The Blackdale sheep industry supplier of the year award was presented to Mark & Rachel and Sam & Keri Zino of Zino Holdings Limited, who are suppliers to ANZCO. Dr Neville Jopson received the Focus Genetics sheep industry science award. The PrimaryITO sheep industry trainer of the year award went to the Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, based in the Wairarapa, while the Farmlands individual or business making a significant contribution to the New Zealand sheep industry award had two recipients this year – Steve Wyn-Harris of Hawke’s Bay and Roger Marshall of Marton. The Allflex sheep industry innovation award for 2014 was presented to Andy Ramsden of Wanaka. Within the genetics-based categories, two gold awards were presented. Mount Linton Station’s Suftex stud based in Southland received the Alliance Group Limited terminal sire overall award. The Telford dual purpose overall award went to Peter and Marion Black’s Blackdale Coopworth stud, Riverton.
B+LNZ Chief Executive Officer Dr Scott Champion says that, while the awards are only three years old, they are already a flagship event on the sheep industry calendar. “This event highlights the fantastic genetics available to New Zealand sheep farmers and how these can drive improved farm performance. It’s no wonder New Zealand is at the forefront of sheep farming internationally, with such passionate and astute individuals dedicated to progressing the genetic merit of our national flock. It’s also a great opportunity for the sector to get together, acknowledge the work of the winners and finalists, and to celebrate the sector’s contribution to New Zealand.”
Judging of the genetics-based awards was on the basis of individual animals with the highest rating or index. For each of the 10 categories, the top three rams were identified using results from the SIL-ACE evaluation and SIL standard indexes. Animals had to be in the top 25 per cent for a “basket of industry valued traits”, have been used as sires in the past three years and have a top ranking for the highlighted trait or index, as well as minimum levels of accuracy for these ratings. The Gold awards are for multi-trait index ratings – animals must be in top 25 per cent for all component traits and top in the overall index.
GENETICS-BASED AWARDS – FULL
RESULTS
GOLD AWARD: Alliance Group
terminal sire award for lamb growth and meat
yield
Recipient:
Mount Linton Station, Mount Linton
Suftex, Ohai, Southland
Mount Linton’s Suftex
flock consists of 530 mixed-age ewes and two tooths. They
run alongside the station’s commercial sheep operation of
39,000 ewes. Mount Linton’s breeding focus is to maximise
returns through increased meat and growth, without
compromising survival. Points to note include the fact the
ewe flock is not drenched. Mount Linton has also been
proactive in using CT scanning as a tool to progress
selection towards animals capable of generating higher value
cuts.
Finalists:
2nd – Kelso,
Kelso Terminal, Matt Holden, Hawke’s Bay
3rd – Focus
Genetics, Kepler Supreme, Landcorp, Te Anau
GOLD AWARD: Telford dual purpose award for
reproduction, lamb growth plus adult size and wool
production
Recipient:
Blackdale
Stud, Blackdale Coopworth, Peter & Marion Black,
Riverton
Blacks’ Coopworth stud is one of five
studs within the Blackdale operation – which, in total,
incorporates 2300 stud and 1500 commercial ewes. Blackdale
is an intensively stocked, all-grass, all-sheep operation
with a focus on breeding rams with the best genetics to
achieve optimal net returns for clients. Started in 1971,
there are now 215 stud Coopworth ewes – down from a high
of 1200. The Coopworth stud feeds into the operation’s
Texel-Coopworth bloodlines, which have grown to meet
commercial farmer demand.
Finalists:
3rd – Twin Farm, Twin
Farm TEFRom, Russell, Pam & Andrew Welsh, Gore
2nd –
Nithdale Station, Nithdale Romney, Heather & Andrew Tripp,
Gore
2014 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep
Industry Genetic Trait Awards
SIL-ACE terminal sire for lamb
growth
Recipient:
Mount
Linton Station, Mount Linton Suftex, Ohai,
Southland
Finalists:
•
Te Kawa Poll Dorset, Andrew Clifton, Kimbolton
•
Kelso, Kelso Terminal, Matt Holden, Hawke’s Bay
SIL-ACE terminal sire for meat
yield
Recipient:
Focus
Genetics, Kepler Supreme, Landcorp Te
Anau
Finalists:
•
Focus Genetics, Huirimu Supreme, Landcorp, Te Awamutu
•
Focus Genetics, Waikite Texel, Landcorp Rotorua
SIL-ACE dual purpose for
reproduction
Recipient:
Nithdale
Station, Nithdale Romney, Heather & Andrew Tripp, Kaiwera,
Southland
Finalists:
•
Mount Guardian, Mount Guardian Perendale, Tim Anderson,
Parnassus
• Edward Dinger, MNCC
Coopworth, Cambridge
SIL-ACE dual purpose
for growth (lamb growth & adult
size)
Recipient:
Twin Farm,
Twin Farm TEFRom, Russell, Pam & Andrew Welsh,
Gore
Finalists:
•
Blackdale Stud, Blackdale Coopworth, Peter & Marion Black,
Riverton
• Ashgrove, Ashgrove
Coopworth, Maungaturoto, Northland
SIL-ACE
dual purpose for internal parasite
resistance
Recipient:
Nithdale
Station, Nithdale Romney, Heather & Andrew Tripp, Kaiwera,
Southland
Finalist:
•
Mike McElrea, Gowan Braes Perendale, Tapanui
SIL-ACE dual purpose for facial eczema
tolerance
Recipient:
Focus
Genetics, Waihora Romney, Landcorp Waihora,
Nightcaps
Finalists:
•
Hinenui Genetics, Hinenui Coopworth, Brett Teutenberg,
Gisborne
• Steve Wyn-Harris, Marlow
Coopworth, Hawke’s Bay
Primary Wool
Cooperative dual purpose for
wool
Recipient:
Blackdale
Stud, Blackdale Coopworth, Peter & Marion Black,
Riverton
Finalists:
•
Edward Dinger, MNCC Coopworth, Cambridge
•
Emily & Sam Welch & Kate Broadbent, Nikau Coopworth, Tuakau,
Waikato
Progressive Meats dual purpose for
meat
yield
Recipient:
Newhaven
Farms, Newhaven Perendale, Jane & Blair Smith,
Oamaru
Finalists:
•
Mike McElrea, Gowan Braes Perendale, Tapanui
•
Twin Farm, Twin Farm TEFRom, Russell, Pam & Andrew Welsh,
Gore
INDUSTRY AWARDS – BACKGROUND
BIOS AND FINALISTS
Blackdale sheep
industry supplier of the
year
Recipient:
Mark & Rachel, Sam &
Keri Zino (Zino Holdings Ltd), Hawarden, Canterbury –
supplying ANZCO
The Zinos met - and exceeded -
the strict criteria for this award. That included at least
93 per cent of their lambs meeting processor specifications
and those lambs being bred and finished on their property.
The judges noted that Zinos showed an exceptional focus on
quality, supplying to specification and seasonal supply.
They demonstrated a good understanding of market
requirements and communicated well with their processor.
Zinos also put a high priority on animal welfare and whole
farm quality
assurance.
Finalists:
•
Dave & Kay Stanley (Rawiri Farm Trust), Taupo – supplying
Lean Meats Ltd
• Horizon Farming Ltd, Stuart
Ellingham (manager), Taranaki – supplying Progressive
Meats Ltd
• Martina & Shaun Lawlor, Gore –
supplying Alliance Group Ltd
• Bill & Sue
Garland (Rahiri Farm), Cambridge – supplying Te Kuiti
Meats
• Landcorp Wairio, Grant McGhie
(manager), Southland – supplying Silver Fern Farms
Focus Genetics sheep industry science
award
Recipient:
Neville Jopson,
AbacusBio, Dunedin
Scientist and AbacusBio
managing director Dr Neville Jopson’s unique ability to
provide sound advice from both a scientific and commercial
perspective was cited as the critical reason he is such a
deserving recipient of this award. Neville’s direct
involvement and leadership in the area of animal production
has been instrumental in many of the sector’s recent
technological developments. Neville was involved in setting
up – and the ongoing running of – the Central Progeny
Test and the recent addition of hill country sites. He was
also involved in the establishment of CT technology for
sheep, the Carwell gene and Lionmax, and the introduction of
DXA technology to measure meat yield. He has also
contributed to Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics and SIL-ACE
progress. Neville’s wide ranging and ongoing contribution
to genetic improvement has been crucial to the red meat
sector’s ability to remain
efficient.
Finalists:
•
Massey University, Palmerston North
• Paul
Kenyon, Massey University, Palmerston North
PrimaryITO sheep industry trainer of the
year
Recipient:
Taratahi Agricultural
Training Centre, Masterton
Established in 1919,
the Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre has evolved into a
major training enterprise for the New Zealand sheep and beef
industry. Taratahi’s programmes involve practical,
technical and theoretical study, with training carried out
on commercial farms. Its residential campus is based near
Masterton in the Wairarapa, with six other non-residential
campuses spread across the North Island. Taratahi provides
an opening to those who may not have the same opportunities
as others – or a chance for young people without a farming
background to gain a start in the sheep and beef
sector.
Finalists:
•
Waipaoa Station Training Trust, Gisborne
•
Smedley Station and Cadet Training Farm, Tikokino,
Waipukurau
Farmlands individual or business
making a significant contribution to the New Zealand sheep
industry
Recipients:
Steve
Wyn-Harris, Hawke’s Bay
Steve Wyn-Harris is
highly regarded as a sector communicator. He was named
Landcorp Communicator of the Year in 2012 and is a popular
Central Hawkes Bay radio host. Steve is an advocate for
sustainable farm systems and promotes the use of sheep
genetics. This award adds to previous industry accolades,
including being named Ballance East Coast Environment Farmer
of the Year in 2011 and Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year in
1994.
Roger Marshall, Marton
Roger
Marshall founded Kelso in 1970 as a Coopworth flock, soon
after the establishment of the breed. The flock was recorded
on New Zealand’s first computer-based recording system,
quickly achieving national prominence. A record sale in 1980
prompted the key decision to sell all rams “on farm” to
foster closer relationships with clients, learn from them
and to better understand their needs. In 1983, the
Government invited Roger to select Finn, Texel and Oxford
sheep with Dr Leyden Baker, and subsequently ran a
quarantine station on Tutu Totara farm.
•
Finalist:
Leon Black, Riverton
Allflex sheep industry innovation
award
Recipient:
Andy Ramsden, Wanaka
Andy Ramsden’s input to increasing the
productivity of New Zealand sheep over the past 20 years has
been significant. As an early experimenter with various
composites, he was a driving force behind the increased use
of alternative genetics in flocks. Andy joined forces with
the Absolom family and others to form Rissington Breedline
and the Highlander material composite was refined. With the
swing to dairying pushing high-performance flocks off better
country in the south, Andy saw a place for a more robust,
high-performance sheep that could prosper on tougher
country. With the input of several like-minded southern
farmers, Headwaters NZ was
created.
Finalists:
• Matt
& Lynley Wyeth, Wairarapa
• AbacusBio Ltd,
Dunedin
ends