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Dr Steven Johnston

Dr Steven Johnston. Utilising the genetic pool. NI Red Meat Task Force Strategy. 1 full time job = 2000 ewes Annual stocking rate 10 ewes/ha Use of easycare selected genetics Grass/forage based systems Minimal fixed costs 1.75 lambs reared per ewe to ram. What is global reality ?.

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Dr Steven Johnston

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  1. Dr Steven Johnston Utilising the genetic pool

  2. NI Red Meat Task Force Strategy • 1 full time job = 2000 ewes • Annual stocking rate 10 ewes/ha • Use of easycare selected genetics • Grass/forage based systems • Minimal fixed costs • 1.75 lambs reared per ewe to ram

  3. What is global reality ? • In NZ productivity as measured by kgs of lamb/ewe has increased by 3.7% per annum during recent years. (NI at best 0.4%). • Less than 5% of rams are sold at ram fairs (Feed them for sales attitude persists in NI). • Genetic evaluations are across breed (Within breed in NI). • Typically2000+ ewes per labour unit with low fixed costs (NI – High quality lambs at any cost).

  4. What are the characteristics of a good ewe? • Mated early in the 1st cycle • 60kg ewe cheap on winter feed • Trouble free outdoor lambing • Twin lambs vigorous from birth • Grass fed achieving 300g/day until weaning • Wean 1kg lamb/kg ewe to ram • Less animal health treatments

  5. What are the characteristics of a good ewe? • Mated early in the 1st cycle • 60kg ewe cheap on winter feed • Trouble free outdoor lambing • Twin lambs vigorous from birth • Grass fed achieving 380g/day until weaning • Wean 1kg lamb/kg ewe to ram • Less animal health treatments

  6. Creating a Maternal Composite Combine complementary breeds NZRomney – Can perform in a wide range of outdoor lambing grass fed conditions, good feet + Finn – fertility (too much?), small lambs, lambing ease, free from prolapse, high fat milk, medium udder small teats(<mastitis), hard teeth + NZ Texel – increased lamb birthweight, wool bulk & survival, carcase conformation = Highlander Maternal Composite

  7. Stock are selected on performance not looks

  8. Highlander™ EWE EFFICIENCY INDEX Number of lambs born x Survival rate Carcass weight x Length of reproductive life x Mature ewe weight

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