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."
Kereru Station, Bob & Anne Steed, Rhys & Helen Dackers
Bob and Anne Steed farm in partnership with daughter Helen & son-in-law Rhys on 272 ha at Tangiteroria, Northland. They have been involved in the ARDG (Auckland Romney Development Group) for many years, focusing on animal performance and high FE tolerance in their flock. Having introduced Finn genetics over the past 10 years, they have now joined forces with Rissington Breedline. Being a Genetic Breeding Partner has enabled them to introduce Highlander® rams into their breeding programme and well as wintering Primera® terminal rams to supply Northland clients with the full compliment of sires.
"After moving to the Finn X, I still felt there was something missing. We looked around and realized the Texel offered the best mix, and seeing the background of the Highlander® saw that as the way of the future for us. The other programmes that Rissington Breedline offer have created a new dimension for us with a whole raft of options"
Rauroa, Brian & Andrea Hanna
Brian and Andrea Hanna farm at "RauRoa", a 470ha effective property, near Mahoenui in the King Country. They have a commercial Highlander® ewe flock of 2,400, all mated to Primera® terminal sires, supplying the M&S program. Replacements are sourced from Rissington Breedline's Highlander® 2-TH programme. Since 2004, using embryo transplants they have established a Primera® multiplier flock of 600 ewes, with plans to grow this to 1,000 ewes. 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. The M&S programme may well prove to be one of the pivotal points of my farming career. 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."
Greenhill Farm, Warren & Andrea Leslie
As owners of Greenhill Farm, Warren and Andrea operate 7,500 stock units on 600 ha of land at Cave, South Canterbury. The majority of the property has been in the Leslie family for three generations, with an additional neighbouring property being purchased two years ago.
Warren and Andrea have a close association with John Holmes who owns and farms 900 Primera® ewes in partnership with them. The farm also runs 5000 Highlander® ewes which are all mated to Primera® rams.
"We have been working closely with Rissington Breedline for a number of years now. We are seeing fantastic results in both the breeding performance of our Highlander® and the yield of the Highlander®/Primera® cross lambs. We are right behind Rissington Breedline's marketing initiatives and are looking forward to a positive future."
