|
The Flock
The Genetics unit at the front of Mount Linton Station is a seperately run farm that breeds the terminal sire Suftex and Texel sheep for the Station. Finishing cattle provide a complementary role to the flocks on the unit.
The Texel influence was established in 1990 and has become a major feature of the Station's ewe flock performance due to its excellent terminal and maternal traits. A proportion of the Texel flock is centred solely on producing terminal sire and the balance is selected for performance in maternal traits.
The Suftex flock was started in 1995 and has become a predominant focus for the Unit as demand is ever increasing for its growth and meat characteristics.
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.
Mount Linton's flocks have been utilising technologies for a number of years which have enabled it to maximise genetic gains and provide leading edge genetics for both the company and external clients throughout NZ. In particular Mount Linton is one of only two breeding programs in the country that utilise CT Scanning to strengthen the selection of terminal sires. Both Innervision and Innvervalue CT are used to identify potential sires to utliise in their breeding program.
Mount Linton continues to work closely with all parts of the industry to ensure it retains a strong commercial focus. It works closely with Catapult, who develop and market DNA tests for specific production traits in sheep. In particular the MyoMAX gene is present in almost all animals in the flocks on Mount Linton. Mount Linton is also involved with AgResearch and Ovita led research to identify the lamb survival gene.
Why Choose a Mount Linton Ram?
- Over 1600 SIL recorded ewes
- Only top 25% of ram lambs born are offered for sale
- All the top Mount Linton genetics are available to external clients (after selecting its sires)
- Two year replacement guarantee for structure (provided they are incapable of successfully serving ewes/hoggets)
- Brucellosis accredited
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.
Don't Just take Our Word For it ...
David McEwen, Manager at 14,000su Rainbow Station near Nelson (part of Lonestar Farms)
"Mount Linton rams produce our premium grade lambs. We notice the difference in our kill sheets and are confidient when yield payments are introduced that our lambs will be in demand"
Contact:
Hamish Bielski
M: 021 779 485
T: 03 225 4689
E: texels@mountlinton.co.nz
|
