MOUNT LINTON GENETICS FIELD DAY REPORT

On Wednesday February 22 Mount Linton Station opened its gates to the public for the first time in 13 years. The Mount Linton Field Day show cased the company’s genetics as well allowing a closer view of one of New Zealand’s largest and oldest privately-owned, pastoral agri-businesses.

Speaking at the event General Manager, Ceri Lewis said “We are not a model farm, and do not pretend to be. What we are is a large commercial unit with an extremely sound genetic base”

“We want to show the farming public how these genetics work for Mount Linton on a large scale, both in extensive and intensive situations in a challenging climatic environment and what our genetics can offer them”

The Field Day attracted around 600 in attendance that we divided into four 4x4 convoys to “Follow the Leader…” around the station stopping at various focus sites hosting key industry speakers.

(click on the speakers name to view full speech)

Meat and Wool New Zealand, Geneticist, Russell Priest outlined the aspects of Mount Linton’s number one breeding objective, the Self Replacing Index. The index, with a strong focus on maternal traits, ranks animals on profitability for specific production systems. Gestation length, in-calf rate or fertility, direct and maternal calving ease, milk and early growth as well as moderate mature cow weights are assessed. Mr Priest also discussed herd profitability

Five Star beef feedlot, General Manager, Jamie Gordon talked about markets, marbling and growth. He also outlined the role that breeding and genetics has to play and what his company looks for when procuring cattle. Five Star supplies the high-value, quality end of the market to places such as Japan and Korea. MountLinton and its Angus Genetics clients are one of the major suppliers of quality steers to Five Star.

PGG Wrightson, North East Stud Stock Manager, Kevin Ryan discussed about structural soundness , phenotype and the importance of using figures or the right balance of genetics, when selecting herd sires.

Alliance Groups, Livestock Manager, Murray Behrent explained the introduction of yield payments and how it will work for farmers, in particular the benefits of utilising a breeder who has invested heavily in the research and development of meat genes.

Abacus Biotech Ltd, Scientist, Neville Jopson will describe how technology such as carcass scanning can be used to select breeding rams and increase profits.

Balance Agri-Nutrients, Warwick Catto talked about sustainable hill country development put into practice at MountLinton.

Environment Southland’s, Garry Morgan spoke on the advantages of shelter belt planting and Milligan Nurseries, Graham Milligan discussed putting these theories into practice Southlands largest ever planting project.