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Suftex
The 800 head Suftex flock is a stabilised breed of terminal genetics that incorporates a range of face colours, from pale to dark faced ewes, to reflect the focus on animal performance not a particular makeup of breeds.
The farming system although seperate from the Station is farmed under commercial type management. The young stock are specifically challenged to see how they perform under pressure at certain times of the year, particularly over the summer in relation to parasites. The ewe flock has a no drench policy and are farmed under commercial flock management.Sheep Genetics manager Hamish Bielski believes that as we move into the future it is as important to select terminal sires primarily for their growth and meat characteristics but they must still have the constitution and ability to perform within a typically run farming system.
Texel
Purebred Texel genetics have underpinned the genetic programs on Mount Linton since 1990, when they were first introduced. An intensive AI program has been used on the Sheep Genetics Unit for about 10 years to source some of the best genetics in the breed.
The Texel has featured for many years in the commercial flock run on the Station and there are currently 21,000 Texel-Romney cross ewes. The Texel has become renowned as a terminal sire breed with high meat yield and growth rates. But it has also been bred on Mount Linton as a dual purpose animal that has fertility and improved lamb survival.
It is these dual- purpose characteristics that the Station is seeking in a maternal sheep. In 2009 the recorded Texel flock was cross-bred to produce a stabilised Texel-cross animal, the NEW Mount Linton Maternal.
Industry Proven Performance (August 2008)
On the latest SIL ACE results, Mount Linton has:
- Nine sires in the top 5% on the Terminal Sire Index (TSO)
- Eight sires in the top 5% on the Meat Index
- Five sires in teh top 5% for Growth Index
- Six sires in the top 5% for Dual Purpose Index (DPO)
For more information on SIL ACE go to www.sil.co.nz and follow the link to ACE.
Leading edge technologies ensure maximum gentic gains for our clients ie.
Ultra sound scanning for increased information on animals carcass characteristics
- CT scanning for selection of animals with the highest meat yield and carcass qualities (more details below)
- Innervision identifies sires with the more meat, less fat qualities
- Innervalue puts pressure on sires by identifying those that have more meat in the high value areas i.e loin and leg.
- Animate breeding program to prevent inbreeding and maximise sire/dam genetic matches
- Electronic identification to maximise accuracy in recording and minimise time in yards
- Texel flock on WormFEC to ensure stock can still perform under an increased worm challenge
- DNA markers to identify specific production traits present in animals (more details below)
- MyoMAX® a DNA test for a gene which increases carcass weight and lean meat yield (up to10% increase in leg and loin muscling plus up to 14% less carcass fat);
- LoinMAX® a DNA test for a gene which increases loin muscling by 10%
- WormSTAR Identifies animals that shed fewer eggs onto pasture. Identifies animals that grow well in teh presence of parasite challenge. An environmentally sustainable genetic solution that draws on the animal's natural ability to counter parasites.
- Shepherd® an integrated DNA based parentage system that provides pedigree and family information from our extensive flock which is run under truly commercial conditions.
Contact:
Hamish Bielski
M: 021 779 485
T: 03 225 4689
E: texels@mountlinton.co.nz
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