Genetic Breeding Partners
Without this team of Genetic Breeding Partners, Rissington Breedline would not have been able to achieve the scale necessary to provide scientifically superior breeding programmes. Each of them are well regarded operators in their region and have themselves been able to benefit from productivity gains in the commercial environment.
Beamish Farms, Simon Beamish
As General Manager, Simon operates 26,000 stock units on three properties west of Hastings comprising of 2,954 ha. Simon is the 5th generation of the Beamish family to farm the historic Awapai and two properties which have subsequently been added to the operation. About 15% is medium to steep with the balance being easy hill country. Beamish Farms now run the Primera® elite flock owned by Rissington Breedline along with 12,000 commercial ewes mated to Primera® rams. A balance of breeding cows and trading cattle make up the rest of the stock units.
"Our involvement with what is now Rissington Breedline started with a frustration with production levels sitting around 140 - 150%. With the extra genetic horse power we have jumped our weaning percentage to 172% in the commercial flock. In the driest 12 months for many years on the east coast we have still managed to wean over 150%. We've proven it to ourselves so there's no reason why that can't be replicated out there in the wider commercial farming environment."
Pohuetai Farms, John Heald
As Manager of Pohuetai Farms, John winters 29,000 stock units on 2,650 ha of land in Dannevirke, Southern Hawke's Bay. About 1,200 ha is finishing country with the rest being hill country. Pohuetai Farms hosts the 4,150 strong elite Highlander® flock.
"The Highlander® ewes are giving us increased production, more lambs and higher weaning weights. Being involved with an improving genetic programme and the potential advancements associated the genetic markers is a real driver."
Rosebank Farm, Barry & Julie Crawford
Barry and Julie's property 'Rosebank' is nestled in the Waikaka Valley near Gore. This property is the southern breeding base for the Primera® elite flock with 750 ewes. These are farmed alongside 3,000 Highlander® commercial ewes. The Crawford's also graze another 210ha property in Southland, which runs 1,000 Highlander® commerciqal ewes, along with Highlander® ewe hoggets for SheepLink.
"After proving ourselves that the Highlander/Primera lambs gave us the fertility and growth rates we wanted to achieve, we accepted the challenge of breeding the Primera® rams. We like the fresh, innovative approach of all the Rissington Breedline team, and look forward to a successful future working together."
Bonnie Glen, Grant & Brenda Massie
As part owners of Bonnie Glen, Grant and Brenda operate 9,500 stock units on 760 ha of land over two properties in Dannevirke, Southern Hawke's Bay. 600 ha of hill country on the Bonnie Glen property is complemented with 160 ha of finishing land at Raumati. Bonnie Glen hosts 2,200 recorded Highlander® ewes and 1,800 recorded Primera® ewes.
"This is steep hill country. People come here and see the sheep and know they're definitely not pampered. That's a good environment to breed genetics from. When I was at Lincoln I was taught that feeding is 90% and genetics 10%. I'm not sure that's the case now. The potential of genetics is where the next level of profitability is going to come from."
Waipuna, Donald & Liz Polsen
The Polson family has been farming at Mangamahu, Wanganui since 1873. Today Donald and Liz operate three properties totalling 2813 ha. The combined land is a mix of river flats and terraces, steep hill country, volcanic flats and easy hills. This land hosts a total of 25,000 stock units. Waipuna is home to the Highlander® DNA and Primera® multiplier flocks. Te Tui on Fields Track hosts a Highlander® Multiplier Flock and Awarua at Raetihi, a joint venture farm, specialises in taking ewe lambs through to 2-TH's.
"We were involved in the Romney Development Group from the late 70's and have been involved with Rissington Breedline since it's formation in 2001. Rissington Breedline fits in well with the philosophy of the Romney Development Group - a large gene pool of sheep & willingness to use science but without the disadvantage of being tied down to one breed."
Tate Road Farm, Brian & Andrea Hanna
Tate Road Farm station is a 225ha property, gently rolling contour at approximately 300m altitude, 6 kms east of TeKuiti. Brian and Andrea run a Primea multiplier flock of 500 ewes, with another 200 Highlander ewes in a 1 year ewe terminal flock, mated to the Primera. Approximately 500 cattle make up the balance, with a mixture of dairy support and trading cattle. With a traditional summer safe King Country climate. As a Genetic Breeding Partner with Rissington Breedline they supply Primera® rams to clients from the King Country north.
"It is stimulating to be involved with an organisation that is vibrant and passionate. I have seen the results of the breeding programs in our environment, and believe, with good management, they are unparalleled in our industry."
Rissington Station, Ben & Katie Absolom
As managers of their family farm, Rissington Station, Ben and Katie run 12,000 stock units on 910ha west of Napier, Hawke's Bay. The land is which predominantly medium rolling to flat country hosts 350 Red and Black Stabilizer® cows as well as 60 Simmental cows. In addition they run 500 Primera® ewes from the multiplier flock and elite rams when they are not in use.
"Being able to see the genetics perform under all conditions has been a real eye opener for me. I have 100% confidence in what the stock can do and the potential that we still have to harness. The more I learn the more I think we can do things better on farm to help the genetics reach their potential."
