![]() On Ashgrove, they run maternal Coopworth ewes mated to a terminal Suftex sire. What you need is a sheep that’s a mix of the two. The bigger, meatier terminal sheep are better if you want something delicious for the barbecue but aren’t the low maintenance breed most lifestyle block farmers want to own. “Terminal breeds, like Suffolk, Texel, and Dorset, have bigger carcasses and are selected for growth, but not mothering ability, disease resistance, and longevity.” “They have high fertility, are good mothers, produce ample milk, usually have higher disease resistance, and have a good white wool clip. “Maternal breeds, like Coopworth, Romney, and Perendale, are selected for their mothering capacity,” says James. There are two main types of sheep breeds in NZ – maternal and terminal. How to deal with (and prevent) an aggressive rooster “I simplified it so buyers could see at a glance what traits the breed possessed and how that ram ranked nationally.” She converts lines of complicated statistics into symbols that describe the top traits of each ram and its ranking on a national scale. “It’s about selecting (sheep) for the traits you want.”Įach year, Hayley and James carefully craft an easy-to-understand catalogue aimed at small flock owners. “There’s no such thing as the perfect sheep,” says James. James says their goal is to share information on breeding traits and help people buy the sheep that suit their needs. Hayley’s goal with the auction is to show every benefit of sheep, including wool, meat, and even manure.īut it’s not like a commercial sheep sale with bewildering statistics and farmers paying thousands of dollars with a twitch of their nose. Chandeliers hang above what was once a mechanics pit, and a modern kitchen accommodates caterers who feed guests.įrom L-R Hayley, Chris, Janine, and James. The couple have meticulously restored it on its new site overlooking the Manukau Harbour. The centrepiece is 111-year-old Huntly House, their 380m², native timber, two-storeyed mansion, originally from Palmerston North. James and Janine Parsons with their farm dogs on Ashgrove Stud.
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