New Zealand Merino Stud Breeders: News

Buscot's Merinos the Best Hoggets in NZ

Although dairy cattle now graze the flats of Buscot Station near Omarama, Merino sheep continue to be an important part of the farming operation.

Since the property’s owner Richard Gloag began installing pivot irrigation at Buscot in 2006, the farm has been transformed. The 350 hectares of once brown Hieracium infested flats along the Omarama-Twizel Road and over the hills in the Ahuriri basin now grow rye grass and clover all year round. Grazing dairy cows is the single biggest income source for the station. However Merino meat and wool still contribute well over half of the station’s income.

Buscot’s Merino hoggets drew national attention this year when they won the New Zealand Sheep Breeders Association’s annual New Zealand Ewe Hogget competition. The objective of the competition is to encourage farmers to produce productive and profitable hoggets as replacements for their ewe flocks.

Richard won the fine wool class of the ewe hogget competition in 2006 and 2007. But 2009 was the first time Merinos have won the competition outright since it was established 12 years ago.

Twenty flocks of various breeds made the finals. The judges commented the top flocks were very good but the Buscot hoggets were exceptional, especially considering the class of stock and class of country.

Buscot Key Facts:

Breeding objective: produce big framed heavy fleece cutting dual purpose merino ewes.

Scanning % ewes 140-150
Lambing % ewes 105-110

Wool production 2009 (greasy) 30722 kg @ $8.10/kg net
Ewes 5.2 kg/head, 18 ave micron, $42/head net
Hoggets 3.6 kg/head, 16.5 ave micron, $30/head net

Lamb production 2009
2600 lambs, 18.3kg ave weight, $101 net

The climate at Buscot is extreme--the summers are very hot and dry while the winters are cold and frosty. It is traditional sheep farming country and Buscot has farmed Merino half bred ewes since it was established in 1916.

Richard is the fourth generation of the Munro-Gloag family to farm the property. Each generation has sought to improve the property but the 2300 hectare property was economically marginal until large scale irrigation was developed.

Buscot gained access to irrigation water when the Benmore Irrigation Company secured rights to extract four cumecs of water from the Ohau River. Buscot is a shareholder in the company and one of six properties in the Omarama/Twizel area to have access to the water. The water consent was secured in 1998 and construction began in early 2005.

The irrigation helps ensure the hoggets are well fed all year round. The lambs are born on the 1700 hectares of dry hill country but are weaned down on the irrigated flats. They are moved back up into the hills for the autumn then in late autumn go back under pivots until the grass runs out and they go on to turnips and grass with Lucerne balage. In spring the lambs are culled, shorn and put back on the pivots until the grass comes away again on the hill country. The hoggets are also used as a tool to eat off sprayed out paddocks.

Eight hundred replacement ewe hoggets go into the breeding flock. The cull ewe hoggets and wether hoggets are sent to Canterbury Meat Packers for meat production.

Alan Paterson of Armidale Merino Stud supplies mixed age rams to Buscot and this is part of Richard’s success. Alan classes all the sheep so knows exactly what sort of rams Richard needs. The sheep are classed into three lines:
• The main line
• Cull ewes to be mated with a Border Lester terminal sire
• Heavy skin sheep that need to be plained up

The judges commented a number of contestants had unsuitable rams sent to them but didn’t send them back to the breeder.

“It is so important to make sure the ram breeder is on the same wave length as the grower. Richard liaises closely with his breeder and that is important,” said the judges.

Since installing the pivot irrigation the ewe numbers have been cut back in favour of the more profitable dairy grazers. A dairy conversion of 450 hectares is also going through the consent process as well. However Richard believes Merinos will always be part of the Buscot farming business.

“Merino sheep suit the dry hill country and I am very passionate about the fibre they produce. They will always have a place on Buscot,” says Richard.

Richard also takes a keen interest in what happens beyond the farm gate. His Border Leister Merino meat has been a finalist in the Glammies--a competition to find the best tasting lamb in the country. This year he also travelled to Italy as a Biella ambassador to study how New Zealand Merino fibre, including Buscot’s Merino, is processed into exclusive men’s suiting.

“I really enjoy working with merinos and I think merino has a big future in New Zealand farming as a dual purpose sheep breed.”

>> Click here for information about Armidale Merino Stud
>> Click here for information about the NZ Sheep Breeders Association

Portrait of a Merino Artist

Wearing boots as parched as the golden hills around her, Kate Calder strides out to welcome me to The Rocking Frog art gallery, gift store and café at Waikari in North Canterbury.

Like hundreds of Christchurch day trippers and independent overseas tourists, I’m intrigued by the building with the giant frog on top and keen to take a look inside. The gallery displays the work of artists from all over Canterbury and the South Island, but it is Kate’s water colour paintings of merinos I’ve come to see.

There’s only a couple there today because Kate doesn’t have much time to paint. As well as running The Rocking Frog she is mother to Tom 11 years, Sky 8 years and the youngest Fred at 4 ½ years. In her free time she helps husband Duncan Calder on the farm. The couple own The Forks (1000 acres) and lease another 1000 acres, running merinos and grazing dry cows in winter.

Kate started painting when she and Duncan lived down south at Glen Lyon Station, inland from Twizel. She didn’t have any art training but surrounded by merinos and living in such magnificent high country, was inspired to paint.

“Being surrounded my merinos and the high country it was easy to get into the subject. Duncan is quite a good photographer and my biggest critic. He’ll look at a painting and say that leg isn’t right. You’ve got that wrong lovey.”

When the couple moved back north home to North Canterbury Kate began hand painting big picnic mats. Decorated with country themes such as pig’s bottoms and fat ladies on beaches, they sold well at the local Culverdan Fete.

But it was merinos that inspired Kate the most, and five years ago she had a successful exhibition at Merivale Fine Arts in Christchurch. Later she sold more paintings at the Culverden Fete.

However there still remained the problem of how to display and sell her art on an ongoing basis. She was disillusioned by how little artists receive for work sold at galleries, so three years ago she teamed up with another local woman Vicky Radford to open The Rocking Frog.

“This area is oozing with talent. The whole idea was having somewhere central to centre display it all and not charge a fortune in commission so the artists got more money in their pockets,” says Kate.

They wanted to have a purpose built facility in the front paddock at The Forks but Transit NZ wouldn’t approve the access off the state highway. Instead they bought a very dilapidated house in the Waikari village, gutted it and turned into a small gallery space displaying work of artists throughout the South Island including Jane McIntosh, Anna Dalziel, Phillip Beadle, Ben Woolcomb and Sarah Rutherford.

The Rocking Frog has also become an important part of the community. Two auctions fundraised $4,500 for the medical centre and $5,500 for St Johns Ambulance.

Through her increased profile at The Rocking Frog, Kate has more demand for commissions too. But the children are her main priority at the moment, followed by running the business and helping on the farm.

“There is going to be time for my painting in the future. It is a passion. For now, when I can find time it is a real treat.”

Armidale Stud Stars at 2009 NZ Royal Show

Assisted by his son Simon, Allan Paterson of Armidale Merino Stud was a star performer in the merino ring at the 2009 Royal New Zealand Show in Christchurch this week.

Allan was the most successful merino exhibitor taking out the prizes for Allan was the most successful merino exhibitor taking out the prizes for:

Champion medium ram
Champion fine ram
Champion poll ram that went on to Grand Champion Merino Ram
Champion fine ewe that went on to be Grand Champion Merino Ewe.

“This is one of the best years we have had at the show. We brought 18 sheep to the show and every one has a ticket. We are quite thrilled about that. They included 12 firsts, four seconds and two thirds.”

In a repeat performance of last year, the prize winning poll merino ram, owned by Mark Urquhart of Grays Hills Stud in Fairlie, went on to win overall Supreme Champion Merino of the show. Both rams had the same sire. Last year’s Poll Merino Grand Champion Ram was put to 100 ewes. They pregnancy scanned at 167% and produced 147 live lambs.

This year in the group classes, Allan also won the Woodchester Cup for a group of five sheep and Merial Ancare Pairs Final (1 one shear Ram and 1 one shear Ewe).

Allan’s grandfather George established Armidale stud near Ranfurly before the Second World War. It lapsed because of the war but Allan’s father Bruce restarted it again in 1954. He started showing at Christchurch in 1961 and the family has consistently done well since then. These days Allan’s son Simon is a great help with the stud sheep and showing.

“In previous years we haven’t been showing to the same extent but having Simon home helps because of his enthusiasm.”

From its earliest days Armidale has always looked for size, conformation and plenty of wool. It largely still sticks to these criteria.

“We still want to breed big good doing productive sheep. We are definitely trying to produce a dual purpose sheep. We want to breed young sheep which grow out to good weights early.”

In the commercial flock the Patersons have been killing merino hoggets in April and May at 18kg instead of taking them through the winter.

“With wintering costs if you grow them out to these weights early it is more profitable although there is still good money for people who want to take them through the winter and shear them. Either way you still need an animal to grow out quickly to 19 or 20 kg,” says Allan.

Allan is increasing his focus on breeding poll merinos because the genetics are improving, producing slightly more fertile quicker maturing sheep.

"We want to build up a ewe base of 200-300 ewes that are poll dominant and run them as a separate entity within the stud."

There were 120 entries in the merino classes, up four from last year. Australian judge Steven Phillips, who has judged at all the major sheep shows in Australia, said the standard at Christchurch was on par with back home and the NZ sheep had particularly good quality well nourished wool.

Allan’s nephew Mike Paterson from Goldwyn at Kurow won the merino junior judge competition. Mike says his uncle has been a great help teaching him how to class sheep and he hopes to become a farm manager in the future. Mike’s prize will be to compete at the Melbourne Show next year.

Merino Show Results:

Merino - Superfine Combing Ram, over 30 months. (4): Paterson A D 1, Matangi Station 2, Blairich Merino Stud 3. Ram, 18 to 30 months. (8): Gibson R W 1, Matangi Station 2, Matangi Station 3. Merino Breed Committee $100 Prize - Best Ram 18-30 months: R W Gibson. Ram, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form). (5): Blairich Merino Stud 1, Blairich Merino Stud 2, Blairich Merino Stud 3. Ewe, 18 to 30 months. (8): Gibson R W 1, Blairich Merino Stud 2, Stevenson I D & P E 3. Merino Breed Committee $100 Prize - Best Ewe 18-30 months. : R W Gibson. Ewe, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form). (6): Stevenson I D & P E 1, Matangi Station 2, Blairich Merino Stud 3. Champion Merino Ram (superfine) : R W Gibson. Reserve Champion Merino Ram (superfine) : A D Paterson. Champion Merino Ewe (superfine) : R W Gibson. Reserve Champion Merino Ewe (superfine) : Blairich Merino Stud.

Merino - Ultra Fine Combing Ram, over 30 months (2): Matangi Station 1, Matangi Station 2. Ram, 18 to 30 months (2): Gibson R W 1, Blairich Merino Stud 2. Merino Breed Committee $100 prize - Best Ram, 18-30 months: R W Gibson. Ram, under 18 months (2): Blairich Merino Stud 1, Matangi Station 2. Ewe, 18 to 30 months (3): Matangi Station 1, Gibson R W 2. Merino Breed Committee $100 prize - Best Ewe, 18 to 30 months: Matangi Station. Ewe, under 18 months (2): Blairich Merino Stud 1, Matangi Station 2. Champion Merino Ram (ultra fine): R W Gibson. Reserve Champion Merino Ram (ultra fine): Blairich Merino Stud. Champion Merino Ewe (ultra fine): Matangi Station. Reserve Champion Merino Ewe (ultra fine): R W Gibson.

Merino - Fine Combing Ram, 18 to 30 months. (8): Paterson A D 1, Paterson A D 2, Blairich Merino Stud 3. Merino Breed Committee $100 Prize - Best Ram 18-30 months: A D Paterson. Ram, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form). (6): Paterson A D 1, Heddell Family 2, Heddell Family 3. Ewe, 18 to 30 months. (8): Paterson A D 1, Blairich Merino Stud 2, Paterson A D 3. Merino Breed Committee $100 Prize - Best Ewe 18-30 months: A D Paterson. Ewe, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form). (9): Paterson A D 1, Stevenson I D & P E 2, Blairich Merino Stud 3. Champion Merino Ram (fine) : A D Paterson. Reserve Champion Merino Ram (fine) : A D Paterson. Champion Merino Ewe (fine) : A D Paterson. Reserve Champion Merino Ewe (fine) : Blairich Merino Stud.

Merino - Medium Combing Ram, over 30 months. (2): Paterson A D 1, Black G M & B J 2. Ram, 18 to 30 months. (4): Paterson A D 1, Black G M & B J 2, Stevenson W J P & N J 3. Merino Breed Committee $100 Prize - Best Ram 18-30 months: A D Paterson. Ram, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form). (6): Paterson A D 1, Black G M & B J 2, Black G M & B J 3. Ewe, 18 to 30 months. (4): Black G M & B J 1, Paterson A D 2, Stevenson I D & P E 3. Merino Breed Committee $100 Prize - Best Ewe 18-30 months: G M & B J Black. Ewe, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form). (7): Paterson A D 1, Stevenson I D & P E 2, Black G M & B J 3. Champion Merino Ram (medium) : A D Paterson. Reserve Champion Merino Ram (medium) : A D Paterson. Champion Merino Ewe (medium) : G M & B J Black. Reserve Champion Merino Ewe (medium) : A D Paterson.

Merino - Group Classes Three Rams, 18 to 30 months, any combing. (4): Paterson A D 1, Matangi Station 2. Woodchester Cup: Group of 3 Rams and 2 Ewes. (Open to all combings) (5): Paterson A D 1, Blairich Merino Stud 2, Stevenson I D & P E 3. The Woodchester Challenge Cup : A D Paterson.

Poll Merino Ram, over 30 months. (2): Paterson A D 1, Stevenson I D & P E 2. Ram, 18 to 30 months. (5): Paterson A D 1, Gibson W H 2, Gibson W H 3. Merino Breed Committee Prize $100 - Best Ram 18-30 months: A D Paterson. Ram, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form). (3): Paterson A D 1, Stevenson I D & P E 2. Ewe, 18 to 30 months. (2): Gibson W H 1, Paterson A D 2. Merino Breed Committee Prize $100 - Best Ewe 18-30 months: W H Gibson. Ewe, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form). (2): Stevenson I D & P E 1, Paterson A D 2. Champion Poll Merino Ram : A D Paterson. Reserve Champion Poll Merino Ram : A D Paterson. Champion Poll Merino Ewe : W H Gibson. Reserve Champion Poll Merino Ewe : I D & P E Stevenson.

Merino - Overall Awards Grand Champion Merino Ewe : A D Paterson. Hadleigh Cup - Ewe with Best Merino Conformation. : G M & B J Black. Glenmark Challenge Cup - Grand Champion Merino Ewe. : A D Paterson. Reserve Grand Champion Merino Ewe : Matangi Station. Grand Champion Merino Ram. Sponsored by PGG Wrightson Ltd. : A D Paterson. Phoebe Dunbar Cup - Merino Ram with the Best Conformation. : A D Paterson. Canterbury Merino Breeders' Assn. Cup - Best NZ Bred Merino Ram. : A D Paterson. A A Urquhart Memorial Trophy - Best Merino Ram, 18 to 30 Months. (Includes all combings, and Poll Merino.): R W Gibson. Reserve Grand Champion Merino Ram : R W Gibson. Supreme Champion Merino - Sash and trophy sponsored by The New Zealand Merino Co Ltd: A D Paterson. RAS Award - Gold Medal : A D Paterson. R C Todhunter Memorial Cup - Best Merino Ewe Hogget. : I D & P E Stevenson. Hugonin Perpetual Trophy - Best Merino Ram Hogget Sponsored by Novartis (20 litre Click value $750): A D Paterson. RAS Trophy (Marlborough Merino Breeders Cup - Best Ram over 18 Months): A D Paterson. Most Successful Exhibitor Award The Merino Breed Society sponsors a trophy and cash prize to the value of $200. : A D Paterson.

Merial Ancare Merino Pairs Final MERIAL ANCARE MERINO PAIRS FINAL (1 one shear Ram and 1 one shear Ewe). To be entered in other classes if possible: A D Paterson.

>> Click here for Armidale Stud details
>> Click here for Grays Hill Stud details

Merino Entries Up for 2009 New Zealand Royal Show

There should be healthy competition in the merino ring at the 2009 New Zealand Royal Show with 120 entries, up four from last year.

The Show will be held from 11-13 November. This year's merino judges are:

Steven Phillips, Harden NSW, Australia (Merino): Steven is the Principle of Yarrawonga Merino and Poll Merino Stud in Australia. He has judged at all the major sheep shows in Australia including Wagin, Bendigo, Adelaide, Dubbo and Sydney. Steven is the current leader in three national wether trials.
Jono Merriman, Boorowa NSW, Australia (Fine Wool Merino): Jono is a Partner in the Merrignee Merino and Koonwarra Merino Studs in Australia. In 2005 he won the NSW Junior Merino Sheep Judging Competition at the Sydney Royal Show and was runner up in the National Junior Merino Sheep Competition.
Tony Jopp, Alexandra (Merino): Tony is a veterinarian and farmer who operates Moutere Station which is the largest and oldest stud in the area (1904).

The Merino classes will be held on Wednesday and Thursday. The highlight of the merino programme-- the junior judging competition-- will be held on Friday 13 November starting at 9am. Mr RHM Johnston will be on hand to present the RHM Johnston Merino Junior Judging Shield to this year's winner.

The programme is as follows:

JUDGING PROGRAMME: RING 1 MASKEW MERINO RING
Wednesday 8.30am Classification
9.00am Poll Merino, Merino, Halfbred
2.00pm Grand Champions & Supreme
2.30pm Merino Special Awards
3.30pm Meral Ancare Merino Pair of the Year
4.00pm Merino Group Classes
Friday 9.00am Merino Junior Judging Competition

MERINO ENTRIES
Merino - Ultra Fine Combing
Class 3028 Ram, over 30 months.
39 Matangi Station 40 Matangi Station

Class 3029 Ram, 18 to 30 months.
41 Blairich Merino Stud 42 Matangi Station

AW 3030 Merino Breed Committee $100 prize - Best Ram, 18-30 months.

Class 3031 Ram, under 18 months.
43 Blairich Merino Stud 44 Matangi Station

Class 3032 Ewe, over 30 months.
No Entries

Class 3033 Ewe, 18 to 30 months.
45 Blairich Merino Stud 47 Matangi Station
46 Gibson R W

AW 3034 Merino Breed Committee $100 prize - Best Ewe, 18 to 30 months.

Class 3035 Ewe, under 18 months.
48 Blairich Merino Stud 49 Matangi Station

AW 3036 Champion Merino Ram (ultra fine)

AW 3037 Reserve Champion Merino Ram (ultra fine)

AW 3038 Champion Merino Ewe (ultra fine)

AW 3039 Reserve Champion Merino Ewe (ultra fine)

Merino - Superfine Combing
Alliance NZ Sheep Pavilion Wednesday
Class 3040 Ram, over 30 months.
50 Blairich Merino Stud 52 Matangi Station
51 Matangi Station 53 Paterson A D

Class 3042 Ram, 18 to 30 months.
54 Blairich Merino Stud 58 Matangi Station
55 Blairich Merino Stud 59 Matangi Station
56 Gibson R W 60 Matangi Station
57 Gibson R W 61 Stevenson I D & P E

AW 3043 Merino Breed Committee $100 Prize - Best Ram 18-30 months.

Class 3044 Ram, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form).
62 Blairich Merino Stud 65 Matangi Station
63 Blairich Merino Stud 66 Paterson A D
64 Heddell Family

Class 3046 Ewe, over 30 months, and her suckling lamb(s).
67 Matangi Station

Class 3048 Ewe, 18 to 30 months.
68 Blairich Merino Stud 72 Matangi Station
69 Blairich Merino Stud 73 Matangi Station
70 Gibson R W 74 Paterson A D
71 Gibson R W 75 Stevenson I D & P E

AW 3049 Merino Breed Committee $100 Prize - Best Ewe 18-30 months.

Class 3050 Ewe, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form).
76 Blairich Merino Stud 79 Matangi Station
77 Blairich Merino Stud 80 Matangi Station
78 Heddell Family 81 Stevenson I D & P E

AW 3052 Champion Merino Ram (superfine)

AW 3054 Reserve Champion Merino Ram (superfine)

AW 3056 Champion Merino Ewe (superfine)

AW 3058 Reserve Champion Merino Ewe (superfine)

Merino - Fine Combing
Alliance NZ Sheep Pavilion Wednesday
Class 3070 Ram, over 30 months.
No Entries

Class 3072 Ram, 18 to 30 months.
82 Blairich Merino Stud 86 Matangi Station
83 Gibson R W 87 Paterson A D
84 Gibson R W 88 Paterson A D
85 Matangi Station 89 Stevenson I D & P E

AW 3073 Merino Breed Committee $100 Prize - Best Ram 18-30 months.

Class 3074 Ram, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form).
90 Black G M & B J 93 Heddell Family
91 Blairich Merino Stud 94 Matangi Station
92 Heddell Family 95 Paterson A D

Class 3076 Ewe, over 30 months, and her suckling lamb(s).
No Entries

Class 3078 Ewe, 18 to 30 months.
96 Blairich Merino Stud 100 Matangi Station
97 Blairich Merino Stud 101 Paterson A D
98 Matangi Station 102 Paterson A D
99 Matangi Station 103 Stevenson I D & P E

AW 3079 Merino Breed Committee $100 Prize - Best Ewe 18-30 months.

Class 3080 Ewe, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form).
104 Black G M & B J 109 Heddell Family
105 Black G M & B J 110 Matangi Station
106 Blairich Merino Stud 111 Paterson A D
107 Blairich Merino Stud 112 Stevenson I D & P E
108 Heddell Family

AW 3082 Champion Merino Ram (fine)

AW 3084 Reserve Champion Merino Ram (fine)

AW 3086 Champion Merino Ewe (fine)

AW 3088 Reserve Champion Merino Ewe (fine)

Merino - Medium Combing
Alliance NZ Sheep Pavilion Wednesday
Prize money for the Ram Classes in the Medium Combing Section is funded from an endowment donated by the family of the late J R Todhunter.
Class 3100 Ram, over 30 months.
113 Black G M & B J 114 Paterson A D

Class 3102 Ram, 18 to 30 months.
115 Black G M & B J 117 Paterson A D
116 Matangi Station 118 Stevenson W J P & N J
AW 3103 Merino Breed Committee $100 Prize - Best Ram 18-30 months.

Class 3104 Ram, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form).
119 Black G M & B J 122 Paterson A D
120 Black G M & B J 123 Stevenson W J P & N J
121 Heddell Family 124 Stevenson W J P & N J

Class 3106 Ewe, over 30 months, and her suckling lamb(s).
No Entries

Class 3108 Ewe, 18 to 30 months.
125 Black G M & B J 127 Paterson A D
126 Black G M & B J 128 Stevenson I D & P E

AW 3109 Merino Breed Committee $100 Prize - Best Ewe 18-30 months.

Class 3110 Ewe, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form).
129 Black G M & B J 133 Stevenson W J P & N J
130 Black G M & B J 134 Stevenson W J P & N J
131 Heddell Family 135 Stevenson I D & P E
132 Paterson A D

AW 3112 Champion Merino Ram (medium)

AW 3114 Reserve Champion Merino Ram (medium)

AW 3116 Champion Merino Ewe (medium)

AW 3118 Reserve Champion Merino Ewe (medium)

Merino - Group Classes
Alliance NZ Sheep Pavilion Thursday
Class 3160 Three Rams, 18 to 30 months, any combing. Must be entered in other
classes.
136 Blairich Merino Stud 138 Matangi Station
137 Gibson R W 139 Paterson A D

Class 3162 Woodchester Cup: Group of 3 Rams and 2 Ewes. (Open to all combings)
(Ram over 30 months, Ram 18 to 30 months, Ram under 18 months, ewe over 18
months and Ewe under 18 months.)
140 Black G M & B J 143 Paterson A D
141 Blairich Merino Stud 144 Stevenson I D & P E
142 Matangi Station

AW 3164 The Woodchester Challenge Cup. Given by Mr C.D. Chisnall in honour of his
grandparents.

Poll Merino
Alliance NZ Sheep Pavilion Wednesday
Class 3180 Ram, over 30 months.
145 Paterson A D 146 Stevenson I D & P E

Class 3182 Ram, 18 to 30 months.
147 Gibson W H 150 Stevenson I D & P E
148 Gibson W H 151 Stevenson I D & P E
149 Paterson A D

AW 3183 Merino Breed Committee Prize $100 - Best Ram 18-30 months.
Class 3184 Ram, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form).
152 Paterson A D 154 Stevenson I D & P E
153 Stevenson I D & P E

Class 3186 Ewe, over 30 months, and her suckling lamb(s).
No Entries

Class 3188 Ewe, 18 to 30 months.
155 Gibson W H 156 Paterson A D

AW 3189 Merino Breed Committee Prize $100 - Best Ewe 18-30 months.

Class 3190 Ewe, under 18 months (date of birth to be stated on entry form).
157 Paterson A D 158 Stevenson I D & P E

AW 3192 Champion Poll Merino Ram

AW 3194 Reserve Champion Poll Merino Ram

AW 3196 Champion Poll Merino Ewe

AW 3198 Reserve Champion Poll Merino Ewe

Merino - Overall Awards
Alliance NZ Sheep Pavilion Thursday
The New Zealand Merino Co Ltd provide trophy and ribbon for Supreme Champion.

AW 3210 Grand Champion Merino Ewe

AW 3214 Hadleigh Cup - Ewe with Best Merino Conformation. Presented for perpetual
competition by Mr C.D. Chisnall as a memorial to his grandmother, Sarah Chisnall.

AW 3216 Glenmark Challenge Cup - Grand Champion Merino Ewe.

AW 3218 Reserve Grand Champion Merino Ewe

AW 3222 Grand Champion Merino Ram. Sponsored by PGG Wrightson Ltd. Winner
receives PGG Wrightson Ltd Shield of Excellence. Prize Money: $300

AW 3228 Phoebe Dunbar Cup - Merino Ram with the Best Conformation. Mr C.D.
Chisnall has presented this trophy for perpetual competition as a memorial to his
grandfather, W.S. Chisnall.

AW 3230 Canterbury Merino Breeders’ Assn. Cup - Best NZ Bred Merino Ram.

AW 3232 A A Urquhart Memorial Trophy - Best Merino Ram, 18 to 30 Months. (Includes
all combings, and Poll Merino.) Trophy donated by the family of the late Mr A A
Urquhart.

AW 3234 Reserve Grand Champion Merino Ram

AW 3238 Supreme Champion Merino - Sash and trophy sponsored by The New Zealand Merino Co Ltd.

AW 3239 RAS Award - Gold Medal

AW 3240 R C Todhunter Memorial Cup - Best Merino Ewe Hogget. Trophy given by Mrs
C.A.B. Pilbrow (sister of J.R. Todhunter).

AW 3244 Hugonin Perpetual Trophy - Best Merino Ram Hogget. Sponsored by Novartis (20 litre Click value $750). Given by the late Mr C.P. Hugonin.

AW 3246 RAS Trophy (Marlborough Merino Breeders Cup - Best Ram over 18 Months)

AW 3247 Most Successful Exhibitor Award. The Merino Breed Society sponsors a
trophy and cash prize to the value of $200. Most points from exhibiting in the Merino
Section.

Merial Ancare Merino Pairs Final
AW 3248 MERIAL ANCARE MERINO PAIRS FINAL (1 one shear Ram and 1 one shear Ewe).
To be entered in other classes if possible. Merial Ancare sponsor prize of $1,500 cash
plus 20 Ltr Matrix to winner.

Merino Junior Judging Competition
Alliance NZ Sheep Pavilion Friday
A return trip to Australia to the top placed New Zealand competitor (should he or she not be the overall winner) (to be sponsored). Winner to compete in the Australasian Junior Judging at the Melbourne Royal Show 2010.

Class 3260 Merino Junior Judging Competition. Participants under 25 years as at 31
May in the year of the competition. Two finalists from each Merino district: Central
Otago, Mackenzie Country, Canterbury, Marlborough. Administered by Merino Breed
Committee. Post Entries.

AW 3262 R H M Johnston Merino Junior Judging Shield to winner of Merino Junior
Judging Competition.

REDA commits to only buying Zque merino

In a landmark decision Successori REDA, a leader in the Italian worsted fabric market, has commited to only buying Zque-qualifying wool from New Zealand.

REDA is one of the most consistent buyers of New Zealand merino via New England Wools. Zque is an ethical wool brand owned by The New Zealand Merino Company.

Francesco Botto of REDA says the decision to only buy Zque-qualifying wool has been made to support New Zealand merino growers who meet the Zque standards of product integrity and traceability essential for future success in retail markets.

REDA has always been reknown for its quality fabrics and innovative product and design. This has been achieved through a consistent investment in all aspects of the value chain but in particular through investment in the highest technical and environmental machinery and standards (EMAS certification).

>> Click here to visit REDA website

>> Click here to visit Zque website

Otago Merino Association Agricultural Exchange Scholarships Open

People of any age involved in the merino industry are invited to apply for two Otago Merino Association agricultural exchange scholarships to Australia and South Africa.

The 2010 Monaro Scholar will spend two to three weeks in the Monaro area, about an hour south of Canberra in NSW, Australia. The trip, which is sponsored by PGG Wrightson, will take place in April 2010. Applications close 15 November 2009.

The Association is also looking for a scholar to travel to South Africa to stay with merino stud breeder Andries Pienaar. The trip, to be funded with help from the Gordon MacMaster Trust, will take place in July or August next year. Applications close at the end of February 2010.

For further information contact the Otago Merino Association.

>> Click here to read about Andries Pienaar's trip to New Zealand in 2009.

Snow Raking Photo Wins Merino Inc Competition

A dramatic photo of snow bound Merinos on Dingle Burn Station at the head of Lake Hawea has won Merino NZ Inc’s “A day in the life of a merino” photography competition.

The photo was taken by Nick Davison, manager of Gimmermore Farm at Wanaka in May this year.

“We were helicoptered in to retrieve stock after an unexpected snowfall. We were at 4,500ft, and because of the snow we could reach areas that are normally too steep. I came upon this mob of merinos during the course of the day. I always carry my camera when working in spectacular places like Dingle Burn”, says Nick.

The competition attracted over 70 entries. The judges were impressed at the standard of entries, with the top 10% being good enough to place in any photography competition.

Second place was awarded to Angus Rowley for a photo taken during a wether muster on Lake Hawea Station. Third prize was awarded to David Aubrey, with a well captured photo of a bunch of wethers being pushed through Forest Creek near the Ben Mcleod Range.

The Merino Inc Board will choose one image from the entries received, to become the new homepage image for the Inc website. A selection of the entries will also be placed on the website for everyone to enjoy.

>> Click here for more information about Merino Inc

Breakthrough Merino Sleepwear

The outstanding comfort properties of merino are being used in a new range of sleepwear fabrics developed by AgResearch.

The Crown Research Institute has developed a range of men’s and women’s nightwear and loungewear garments using innovative combinations of merino and other natural fibres such as bamboo and silk, yarn structures, fabric weaves and knits, and finishing procedures.

The breakthrough Easy Care Wool Sleepwear is lightweight, has no chemical treatment, helps sleeping, maintains and regulates temperature and looks and feels fantastic.

“Easy Care Wool Sleepwear works in both summer and winter and we believe makes excellent nightwear and loungewear with its outstanding comfort properties,” says Dr Surinder Tandon, Senior Scientist, Textile Science & Technology at AgResearch.

The new fabrics are being manufactured by South Canterbury Textiles in Timaru.

“This cutting edge textile is exciting from our point of view- it’s new, it’s got real advantages over other fabrics used for sleepwear and it creates opportunities for us once it is available,” says South Canterbury Textiles CEO Andrew Miller .

The sleepwear fabric was also supported by the industry organisation Textiles NZ under their new product development programme Transform
and Locus Research.

>> Click here for more information about TransformTextiles NZ
>> Click here for more information about Locus Research

Italian Biella Ambassadors Tour NZ

Five young Italians associated with the merino industry have spent the last week visiting passionate New Zealand merino farming families.

The 2009 Biella ambassadors Giorgia, Sara, Sofia, Pier Paulo and Federico were hosted by staff from Merino Inc and The Merino Company (NZM).

They travelled to Glenaan Station at Rakaia Gorge to meet Paul Ensor, a previous Biella ambassador. While in the area they also visited Eric and Sally Smith at Upper Lake Heron Station and the Todhunters at Arrowsmith Station.

In South Canterbury the ambassadors visited the Innes family at Black Forest Station before heading south to stay at Buscot Station with Richard Gloag, another former Biella ambassador.

At Tarras the ambassadors met the Rowley and Perriam families at The Merino Shop which sells the widest selection of New Zealand merino products in New Zealand. They spent the night with Stew and Sarah Perriam at Long Gully Station and Tom and Adrienne Rowley at Lake Hawea Station.

The trip ended in Queenstown for some sight seeing.

About the Biella Ambassador Programme:

The Biella Ambassador programme is a two way exchange between New Zealand and the Biella region in northern Italy where fine and super fine New Zealand merino is processed into high quality suits.

The exchange programme is designed to foster relationships between the two ends of the value chain. Every year young Italians visit merino producers in the South Island high country and/or young kiwis visit textiles factories in Biella.

>> Click here for more information about the Biella ambassador programme.
>> Click here to read about the NZ 2009 Biella ambassadors
>> Click here to read the NZ 2007 Biella ambassador trip report

Awapiri Merinos Bred for the Environment

Fashions have come and gone, but Awapiri Merino Stud breeders Graham and Bev Black and their son Duncan have always stuck to their original aim—to breed a medium wool sheep suited for their environment.

Awapiri is situated in the Upper Awatere Valley in Marlborough. This part of the valley is hard country, renown for its extremes of hot and cold, drought, rain and snow. The back part of Awapiri drains into the Clarence River. Awapiri Station is particularly challenging as a large part of it is steep high country with difficult access as well as scrub and woody weed problems.

When Graham and Bev bought the leasehold property in 1966 it only had seven or eight acres of flat land. Bev’s father was very keen for the young couple to start their own stud which they established in 1975. In 1978 an adjacent 1040 acres of free hold land including 60 acres of arable flat was purchased giving the Blacks the scope to develop the stud into a commercial breeding enterprise.

The original 50 ewes came from Bev’s parents Arthur and Freda Urquhart of Erewhon Station down in Canterbury. Because Marlborough offered a much warmer climate with less harsh winters the ewes did much better on Awapiri than Erewhon so they were a great foundation to start the new stud on. A ram was purchased from ‘Lawloit’ Stud in Victoria Australia and also a half share was taken in another ram from ‘Hazeldean’ NSW, both of which were used as foundation sires.

Owing to the blue tongue disease outbreak in parts of Australia the stud was unable to acquire any further Australian genetics until the embargo was lifted in 1984. Since that time regular importations of both frozen semen and sires that complement the stud’s breeding objectives have been made.

“Arthur’s yardstick was the cut of wool and survival rate. It was real basic stuff and our aim has been the same—to get maximum production with sheep that survive and reproduce in our environment,” says Graham.

Lambing percentages are an important factor. One buyer of Awapiri AD flock ewes scanned 172% in 2009.

“We aim to breed sheep that give growers the best opportunity to utilize the potential diversity Merinos offer by producing a lot of top quality wool as well as a carcase and fertility suitable for top meat production.”

Over the years Awapiri has developed a reputation for long stapled, well defined, well crimped and heavy cutting 19 – 20.5 micron wool. This has been achieved by focusing on attributes such as skin texture, handle and comfort factor giving a product very suitable for ‘Icebreaker’ type contracts.

Awapiri stud has been very involved in the gene marker foot testing programme. It is now seeing well established productive outcomes in the reduction of footrot susceptibility in clients’ flocks as well as the home flock.
For some clients this means they are able to continue running merinos rather than having to change to another breed of sheep less prone to footrot.

Awapiri is also involved in current animal welfare issues. It supports the efforts being made to achieve a more acceptable alternative for the control of breech fly strike than methods that are causing industry concern at present.

“We understand the type of skin it takes to grow a quantity of quality wool. It is imperative that production is maintained at least at present levels - no grower can afford to take a cut in that. It would be easy to have sheep that are less susceptible to flystrike by breeding plain, flat skinned, light cutting animals that just wouldn’t achieve the productive criteria required.”

Graham’s breeding is designed to help commercial growers make a living. He believes it is always important to remember that stud breeding is really only the process of developing genetic material to enable commercial farmers to maintain productive, payable flocks of sheep in the environment that they are being run on. With this in mind the stud sheep are run and managed as much as possible along commercial lines as a hill country flock with all productive traits being fully recorded.

He is also a strong believer in the value of a select few sheep being managed as show sheep to see how perform. When sheep are fed under ideal conditions it gives them the opportunity to express their true genetic productive potential. Often when sheep are run under paddock or natural conditions there may be very little difference in their production levels e.g fleece weight, body weight etc.

But when they are given the best nutrition possible, quite large variations can occur expressing the difference in their genetic potential. Commercial growers need to know the productive potential of the genetics they are buying to be able to make the best choices for their individual environment and management practices.

Since 1978 Awapiri stud has performed well at the local Blenheim show and also at Christchurch show, often featuring in the winning line up with a number of ribbons, cups and medals to show for it.

In 1998 in response to client demand for finer micron wool Graham and Bev established a second stud called Excell. Semen and a ram from Tillba Tillba WA was imported and put to the finest of the Awapiri ewes. Excell is now breeding a true fine(18.5 micron) wool sheep with the size, constitution and lambing percentages principles similar to those applied to the Awapiri medium wool stud sheep.

Graham says being a stud breeder is immensely satisfying. “I am always looking forward to the next generation but I’d need another lifetime to create my vision.”

As a past president of the Stud Breeders Association and chairman of the 1998 World Merino conference he has come in contact with people from all over the world with many ideas, problems and solutions. He believes as with anything else you must have an open mind and adopt new ideas on their merit rather than on their appeal.

>> Click here for Awapiri stud breeder directory details

>> Click here for Excell stud breeder directory details

SmartWool Loves Zque Merino

The New Zealand Merino Company’s Zque brand is providing US clothing SmartWool with a ‘deep and real story’ for its customers who want to live and feel closer to nature.

Speaking at The New Zealand Merino Company conference in Christchurch this month, SmartWool’s President Mark Bryden and VP Marketing Carol Davidson said SmartWool aims to make Merino fit the lives of consumers “trying to live a life beyond strip malls.”

As a business philosophy SmartWool aims to have environmentally sustainable production. It uses scorecards to evaluate the quality, service and cost of its vendors.

“We care very deeply about the wool and The New Zealand Merino Company sets the standard of how responsible world business can be.”

Comfort is also important to SmartWool customers. In this regard Merino is an excellent fibre because of its natural temperature regulation, breathability and odour control. Traditionally SmartWool has concentrated on manufacturing and marketing socks for hiking, running, cycling, skiing, travel, lifestyle and kids.

“Believe it or not, I build a relationship with my socks. For hikers, they become a companion,” said Carol.

The company is now moving beyond socks into clothing, including garments for cyclists. The latest range includes men’s Merino mountain bike shorts, men’s Merino commuter cyclist shorts and National Geographic Best of Gear award-winning women’s Merino cycling jerseys for “core” cycling enthusiasts.

Mark said SmartWool is growing strongly and closed his presentation by announcing “we are going to need a lot more wool”.

SmartWool are now sourcing fibre from 17.5 to 26 micron from around 80 ZQue accredited growers with a volume close to one million kilograms.

>> Click here to find out more about Zque

>> Click here to find out more about SmartWool

Moutere Wins Clip of the Year

Tony and Jillian Jopp of Moutere Station were the overall winners of the NZWTA /Otago Merino Association Clip of the Year competition held in Queenstown last Friday night.

The overall first runner up was Armidale Station (Allan and Eris Paterson) . The overall second runner up was Matarae Station (Ron and Juliet Jones).

John and Mary-Liz Sanders of Matangi Station were overall winners of the Child Cancer Fleece Competition.

Other results:

Clip of the Year
Adult up to 16.7 micron
3rd Twin Peaks
2nd The Rocks
1st Riverside Over Haka

16.7 - 17.2 micron
3rd Mt Grand
2nd Craighurst
1st Nine Mile

17.2 - 17.7 micron
3rd Tara Hills
2nd Matarae Station
1st Moutere

17.7 to 18.0 micron
3rd Ahuriri Downs
2nd Waikeri Downs
1st Benmore

18.0 - 20.0 micron
3rd Buscot
2nd Bog Roy
1st Armidale

Hogget up to 15.7 micron
3rd Mt Grand
2nd Longacre
1st Lindis Downs

15.7 - 15.9 micron
3rd The Rocks
2nd Timburn
1st Nine Mile

15.9 to 16.3 micron
3rd Matarae
2nd Benmore
1st Moutere

16.3 to 16.7 micron
3rd Ahuriri Downs
2nd Tara Hills
1st Matangi

16.7 to 20 micron
3rd Omarama
2nd Armidale
1st Waikeri Downs

Ravensdown Merino Production Comp
Runner Up  Buscot Station Richard Gloag
Winner  Tara Hills Greg Stuart - Manager

Child Cancer Fleece Competition
Super Fine
3rd Flaxton Station M Stevenson
2nd Lauder Station Robbie and Becs Calder
1st Matangi Station John and Mary-Liz Sanders

Fine
3rd Walter Peak Station James Clouston and Lucy Gresson
2nd Moutere Station Tony and Jillian Jopp
1st Benmore Station Andrew & Deidre Sutherland & Bill & Kate Sutherland

The auction that night for Child Cancer raised $2030. Ben Graham bought the wool packs donated by Douglas Finepacks for $530. Mary-Liz Sanders bought the Merino Lace scarf donated by McAuslin Merino Lace for $400.Gordon Lucas bought the merino suit fabric donated by Reda in Italy for $710. For $390 Gus Chapman-Cohen bought the package including a day backpack donated by Kurow Vet, the Hot Pools voucher from Hot Tubs Omarama and meal voucher from The Wrinkly Ram.

Change of Helm at Merino Growers' Group

Tom Rowley of Otago has taken over as chairman of the Merino growers group Merino Inc replacing Ross Beech of Marlborough who has resigned his directorship.

Mr Rowley will be supported by the existing directors, Simon Cameron (Mackenzie/Waitaki) Brian Hansen (Canterbury) and a new director for Marlborough/North Island Simon Harvey.

In his final address at the AGM held last Friday in Queenstown, Mr Beech urged growers to remain united, particularly when economic realities are making many question the future of merino farming.

Mr Beech will continue in the position of industry spokesperson on animal welfare issues for an indefinite period.

The annual general meeting was addressed by Scott Champion, Chief Executive Officer of Meat & Wool NZ. He clarified the process underway to consult with farmers before a voting proposal is presented to farmers in August.

He also spoke about the less visible role that Meat and Wool NZ plays in industry issues like skills and education, trade and technical policy, food mile debates, and environmental issues.

2009 Merino Photo Competition

Entries are open for a New Zealand merino photographic competition. "A Day in the Life of a Merino" is being organised by Merino Inc -- the grower-owned industry good body representing all merino growers.

"Be a part of showcasing the best of our industry by letting others view the awesome life of a merino through your camera lens, a view from those people who live and breathe merino farming in New Zealand. This competition is to encourage you to share your photographic endeavours with others via publication in Merino Inc newsletters and website," says Merino Inc Communications Manager Jo Jermyn.

1st prize $400
2nd prize $200
3rd prize $150

Entries close 31 July 2009.

>> Click here for more information

Stonehenge Centenary Publication

Historical information about Stonehenge Station is wanted for a publication being produced to mark 100 years of the Hore family’s occupation of the Maniototo property in Central Otago.

Authors Sue Hore and Barbara Newton are seeking farmily information and recollections of anything associated with Stonehenge, any activities (e.g: visits to Deep Creek Hut, shearing, lamb marking etc), family gatherings, people, places etc and including your earliest recollection of Stonehenge. The information is wanted by June 20, 2009.

"At this stage we are looking to make the publication as comprehensive as possible, and although it may not be possible to include everything in the final publication the information will be there for future reference and future generations," says Sue.

"So it is not just information about the farming side of the operation, but about family experiences and lives. Anything at all associated with Stonehenge. Little is known about some areas, so lots of little snippets from many sources can draw a picture of the goings on over the generations.

"At some stage we be looking for photographs to include, so the next cold wet weather day have a sift through your records for anything suitable.

>> Click here for Stonehenge contact details.

NZ merino-lined baby sleeping bag a winner

A small kiwi company has won a prestigious American award for its innovative merino-lined baby sleeping bags. Designer Kids' Lola & Ben® baby sleeping bag won the I Booker Media 2008 Innovation Award. The winning products are judged by health professionals, midwives, preschool teachers and mums in California.

Lola & Ben's interchangeable New Zealand merino liners remove the need for having different sleeping bags for each season and between day and night sleeps. Trina Parker and Sigi Schmitt of Designer Kids say babies enjoy sleeping in their product because it helps regulate the body temperature.

In Sigi’s native Germany it is common place to use a baby sleeping bag and the practice is recommended by pediatricians.

“Sleeping bags are being recognised for their ability to reduce cot death (SIDS) as they remove the risk of blankets covering the baby’s head,” says Sigi.

"Preventing overheating is also vital. The Lola & Ben baby sleeping bag helps regulate body temperature because it is made from natural materials of cotton and New Zealand merino.

“The design features allow you to help, by adding or removing the merino liners to adapt with the seasons, making the perfect travelling product also.”

Lola & Ben baby sleeping bags are sold over the internet. Trina and Sigi are excited about the international prospects of their ‘baby’ and the fact that they are showcasing New Zealand made products to the world. They both agree, being awarded a third party endorsement from America is the icing on the cake.

>> Click here to check out Lola & Ben sleeping bags.

Visiting South African breeder delivers productivity message

Visiting South African merino stud master Andries Pienaar urged New Zealand merino breeders and growers to focus on optimising productivity during a recent South Island lecture tour.

Andries is no stranger to the New Zealand merino industry having visited the country several times to judge at the Christchurch Show and speak at the World Merino Conference.

A strong believer in “keeping the main thing, the main thing” he explained optimum productivity is the most important thing to focus on. For merino breeders and growers this means super fertility, high growth lambs, top carcass weights and excellent fleece.

On this visit to New Zealand he was impressed with the hospitality of local merino growers and the wool quality, especially the fine and superfine wool. In his opinion the biggest area for improvement in New Zealand is increasing the amount of muscle in the merino’s hind quarters. He also advocated more emphasis be placed on fertility by looking at culling percentages.

The Pienaar family has been farming merinos for 122 years. Their Mega Merinos Stud at Klipplaatsfontein in the upper Karoo area of South Africa is 102 years old. It boasts a string of achievements including winning the most merino prize money and awards in the world.

Andries has been farming for 44 years and his 38 year old son Jacques is also involved. They manage four merino businesses:

1. Extensive commercial flock
2. Mega Merinos Stud in South Africa
3. Merinos farmed under centre pivot irrigation
4. Mega Merinos Stud in Australia

An offshoot business, uXolo Management Services, provides agribusiness training, passing on the management skills that enable Mega Merinos to breed and grow sheep that make the highest sustainable nett-profit per hectare under all feeding levels.

Since 1973 the Pienaars have specifically bred merino for fibre and meat. At first this decision was not well received in some quarters.

“The idea that merino are exclusively a wool breed is an old fashioned idea. It had to change dramatically otherwise the merino would have been history. In 1970 we had a 60% lambing rate and 22% of the body weight was wool. When we changed our priorities we were greatly criticised. We didn’t win a show prize because we were breeding plainer sheep and giving more emphasis to fertility and meat quality. We’d cull any ewes that didn’t lamb.

“Now there is a 135% lambing rate and 12% of the body weight is wool. The ewes are 19-20 micron and lambs are 17 micron. They have a full meat backside and have been mules free for 15 years.”

Andries is a strong believer in adding value because it is the route out of commodity pricing. Mega Merinos produces its own Charisma fleece brand and Shepherd’s Selection lamb brand. The farm is organic and operates a paddock to plate traceability programme.

Andries says high propotency in the stud is essential if growers are to consistently produce the quality required for branded products. He urged New Zealand merino breeders and growers to pay more attention to marketing because it is the force that propels a business into future relevance.

“Marketing is the modern warfare to gain the customer’s favour. The customer is the boss because they have your money in their pockets. It is essential to think like a strategic marketing manager and appoint professionals who understand branding, the marketing mix and the market.

“Surround yourself with competent people. Understand finance is a substance generated by a successful business model, that the product is a factor of quality and continuity and that your farm is just an outdoor fuel factory.”

Andries pure merino is a world class fibre and a world class lamb. He urged New Zealand growers not to limit the animal through lack of vision.

“Experience is essential in life, but without vision, experience could be
extremely dangerous. The merino is the greatest animal god created and man developed.”

>> Click here to visit Andries' MegaMerinos website

Dick McArthur's Glorious Merino Years

Dick McArthur’s entire life has centred on the land, stock and particularly merinos, and the 69-year-old has no intention of it ever being any different, even though he has broken his neck.

On 3 November 2008 he fell 50 feet down a cliff on the edge of his garden in Alexandra. He was flown to the Burwood Hospital spinal unit in Christchurch and has been there ever since learning how to adjust to life in a wheelchair.

Dick is renowned for his cheerful disposition and the accident hasn't taken the shine off his optimistic view of life. If he can he intends to continue sheep and wool classing once he leaves Burwood. Referring to his emergency helicopter ride to Dunedin after the accident he says:

“What people will do for a helicopter ride! It’s a shame to be so full of drugs I don’t remember it.”

The well used visitors’ book next to Dick’s bed has entries from friends and family from throughout the country. There are notes from long lost rugby mates who have come out of the woodwork. Countless farming clients and friends made during the 50 years he has spent working in the South Island high and hill country have also penned words of encouragement.

Merinos are Dick’s great love, a passion he shares with his wife Beth. Last year the couple were made life members of the Otago Stud Merino Association for their contribution to the merino industry. Dick says Beth deserved the award for the 25 years of service she has given the organisation. However he says it was a very high honour for him to receive just for “making a bit of noise”.

He is referring to the seven years he spent as helmsman at the Association’s silent ram auction and his work helping guide the merino stud tours since 1969.

“I am a noisy bugger and my job was helping make sure the show keeps rolling on. But it pales into nothing in comparison with what Beth has done.”

Dick’s interest in farming started as a young boy growing up in Otago in the 1940s. Although his father was a teacher and he was raised on cherry orchard in Conroy’s Gully in Alexandra, Dick wanted to go farming like grandfather and uncle. The McArthur family has produced good wool on Strathclyde since 1863.

He showed little interest in books so left school at 16 to work as a rouseabout at Mt Aurum near Coronet Peak. Next he got a job working for Chappie Hore at Stonehenge near Ranfurly where he spent “four glorious years working as a farm boy.”

“Chappie was incredible. He was very good with livestock, dogs, horses and farm boys. He was very nice to me as a young man. “

Next he spent four years in West Otago learning about crossbreds working for Charlie Smith at Ben Koi. After Charlie died, Dick ran the place but it didn’t work out with the farm advisor.

The freezing works was looking for people so Dick spent a season there learning how to put on weight.

“We worked hard but we ate a lot too,” he recalls.

Dick and Beth had met while he was working at Chappy’s place. The romance had “settled in” and they were married on November 6 1965. The freezing works knew Dick was “a farm boy” so they asked him to work on their farm which he did until he and Beth took on a married couple’s job at Cave Hill at Herriot.

Three years later when the farm was sold Dick intended to get another married couple’s job but Beth wasn’t keen. Instead he started working for Wright Stephensons as a stock agent.

“They were eight glorious years working mainly from Alexandra to Lindis and down to Glenorchy. It is tremendous country and they are tremendous people.”

Life wasn’t so good for Beth because she had four children and Dick was never there at mealtimes. When he was at home, he was on the phone talking to clients.

Thomas Borthwicks and Son started trying to convince Dick to work for them as a lamb buyer. Beth knew they were chasing Dick and she was right behind them so she would see more of her husband. Eventually Dick confided in his good friend Bill Gibson asking what to do.

“He said ‘is it more money? You only have your labour to sell'. In fact it was very nearly double. The decision was made and it was very good advice.”

On 26 April 1975 Dick joined Borthwicks. But by June the freezing works for closed for the winter and Dick was lying around on the couch with nothing to do.

“It got to the stage where Beth would kick me as she went past to go and say 'do something'. I saw an ad in the paper ‘two open shearers looking for a presser’. I had worked in a woolshed once so rang the phone number.”

The two shearers were Brian Quinn and Jimmy Keenan. They knew Dick and decided to give him a try. That was the beginning of another “five glorious years” working with Brian and Jimmy in the freezing works off season from July to November.

“I had been developing a large weight excess as a stock agent but started losing quite a bit of sweat on the press. One day the assistant wool manager at Wrightsons in Dunedin Buck Gloag was watching me and asked ‘how long do you think you are going to be able to do that for? I was 37 so said ‘I will hang in here for a few years’. He said ‘you know what you should be – a wool classer.”

Dick had always loved wool so for several years he classed and pressed on several half bred properties, along the way earning a degree in hard knocks and experience. Eventually Buck offered to jack him up with a merino run.

It meant leaving his shearing mates but Dick was keen to take up the opportunity to class Bruce Paterson’s wool at Cairnmuir near Cromwell.

“Bruce was a wonderful merino man but he was nervous and I was nervous. We both rang Buck each night to see how I was going. I would be looking at the fleece and Bruce would be standing beside me. My table was a wool bale. I would be about to move to a bin having made up my mind what sort of fleece it was.

“Bruce would suck in his teeth saying 'that is a good one Dick'. I asked 'is it a good fine one, a good strong one or a good medium one?' Then I’d hope I had got the right one as I had immense respect for his knowledge of merino wool.

“We finished the shear and both waited anxiously for the sale results. I stayed there until they sold the place so I must have done alright.”

Dick’s run grew to include half breds at Nine Mile Station and merinos at Timburn and Walter Peak.

In 1992 Dick also started classing sheep. He had never thought New Zealand farmers would use a sheep classer because they are so independent. But visiting Australian classer Gordon McMaster paved the way, showing them the importance of stock selection and having someone independent providing an objective outside perspective.

Another Australian classer John Williams helped Dick get into sheep classing.

“He suggested to Bruce Paterson at Armidale and Robert Jopp at Moutere to use a local guy to do their commercial flock. They rang me after having a chat and asked me to class their merinos. In pretty strong terms both said it wasn’t because I was a wool classer because wool is only part of the total picture. Instead they valued my knowledge of livestock and of buying.”

Dick Croft at Omarama was another early client who helped Dick along, recommending him to other local farmers based on the results he achieved at Berwen.

“We had never met before but he said ‘I will give you five years. If you haven’t made any difference by then you are down the road. That is what I love about farmers. They tell it like it is.”

The workload at Borthwicks was getting bigger so in 2001 he decided to quit his job and have a go at making a living sheep and wool classing.

The accident means he is unable to service his clients at the moment but some have stepped forward, offering to class stock for free until he can get back on the job. Others are talking about altering their stock yards so Dick can still work there. Such is the measure of their respect for the man.

Isolation Merino Clothing Truly NZ Made

Sally and Rob Peter of Isolation Station in Marlborough are manufacturing and marketing a range of truly New Zealand made baby and toddler knitwear products from their Saxon merino wool.

Despite the closure of so many wool processing plants and textile manufacturing companies in New Zealand, the Peters use the remaining facilities to turn their niche fibre into baby blankets and clothes.

“If our wool was processed offshore we feel we couldn’t call it Isolation. Also we process small lots of wool which would make it too hard to do in China,” says Sally.

Isolation Merino products are sold via their e-commerce website, mail order catalogue and 15 retailers around New Zealand and in Ireland. The Peters started their venture in 1997 after attending a New Zealand Merino Company conference in Christchurch the year before.

“I was so inspired we talked all the way home,” recalls Sally. “The price we were getting for our wool was pathetic and when the kids were little I’d been frustrated trying to buy natural un-dyed wool baby wear. Saxon merino is ideal for this purpose because it is so light and bright. The natural stretch means you can wrap them up really right and they don’t sweat.”

When Sally got home she rang Heather Perriam of Bendigo Station. Heather had been making products for her merino shop in Tarras for years. She was keen to help and gave the Peters some yarn to experiment with and contacts in the processing industry.

The learning curve was steep because as stud breeders and wool growers, the Peters did not need to know a lot about what happened to the fibre once it left the farm gate. Selling wool on contract to clothing manufacturers was still in its infancy. Instead the majority of wool was sold at auction and farmers had little idea who bought the wool for what purpose.

To create products from their own wool, the Peters needed to know a lot more about wool processing. On a trip to Designer Spun in Napier they learnt the finer the wool the more difficult it is to process, especially carding which combs the wool, aligning the fibres ready to be spun into yarn. At 18-19 microns, Isolation Saxon is at the finer end of the spectrum but Designer Spun was able to card and spin the first 500 kg shipment.

They also spent a lot of time in shops buying baby wear and balls of wool called merino even though a lot of it was 28 micron. They studied how yarn is made and decided to revive a rarely-used traditional construction method.

“Nearly every ball of wool you buy is two threads wound around each other but it may not wear very well and could pill. We decided on a traditional yarn made from six threads spun separately then wound together. Although it makes the yarn more expensive, it gives a soft handle, strength and stability.”

To ensure the Isolation yarn would wear well the Peters engaged the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ) to test it for pilling and strength. The results were positive and 10 years on customers tell Isolation they are using the same garments on their third child.

The blankets are made in a factory in Christchurch and the clothing is made on a piecework basis by women working at home using computerised knitting machines.

Sally says a whole generation has grown up not wearing wool and often people who visit her showroom in Ward on State Highway One ask what the products are made from.

“The New Zealand Merino Company has done a great job educating people about merino but people are still blown away by how light and bright the Saxon wool is. A lot of people have asked for coloured products so we now dye the wool. The colours are brilliant because the fleece is naturally so bright.”

Customers also value the Isolation brand story of near chemical-free sheep living in the wild seaward Kaikouras farmed by a family with deep roots in the Merino industry. In the 1850s Rob’s family began breeding merinos in Australia. Sally’s family were wool dyers in Scotland and the Lakes District in England.

Experience has taught the Peters that on average it is two years from when the wool is shorn until the knitwear product is sold to the customer. Many people need to be paid before they get a financial return. There are also many issues to manage such where to get their wool processed and how to control manufacturing quality.

Isolation produces about eight tonnes of merino a year. Although they only turn about one tonne of that into finished products, the Peters are pleased they decided to launch the brand and a steady increase in demand has been satisfying.

“The part hard is that as a grower and a breeder, you aren’t qualified as a clothing designer, marketer or manufacturer but I still love doing it,” says Sally.

The Peters also run a tourism venture with neighbours Kevin and Carol Loe and farm cattle and Corriedale sheep at Cape Campbell.

>> Click here to visit Isolation Merino clothing

>> Click here for more information about Isolation Merino Stud

Biella Merino Ambassadors Head for Italy

The 2009 Biella merino ambassadors leave for Italy this week to learn more about the textiles end of the merino supply chain.

Blythe Rees-Jones of Mt Maunganui, a product designer, and Richard Gloag, farmer of Buscot Station, Omarama, will be traveling to Italy for three weeks to study in the heart of the Italian textile industry, the town of Biella.

Both feel this scholarship, funded by Meat & Wool New Zealand and Merino Inc, and organized by Merino Inc and The New Zealand Merino Company, will improve their understanding, and subsequently their influence on the development of the industry in the future.

Blythe works for Locus Research, specialists in sustainable design and development. In the past he has been involved in a range of highly creative projects involving merino and is currently investigating new opportunities for introducing merino into the healthcare sector.

Richard is a committed merino grower who is lifting farm profitability through irrigation development, cropping and integrated sheep and cattle grazing. He is a committee member of the Mackenzie Waitaki Merino Association.

As well as fostering the relationship between New Zealand and the Italian market, both ambassadors will be imparting knowledge from the experience for the benefit of industry groups on their return.

The Biella Ambassador Selection Committee of Bob Todhunter, Peter Wardell and Helen Cameron felt the quality of all applicants is a good indicator of the potential that exists in the industry, and wished to encourage the younger candidates to apply again in the future.

>> Click here for background on the Biella scholarships

>> Click here to read about the 2007 NZ Biella ambassadors

>> Click here to read about the 2009 Italian Biella ambassador tour of NZ