Alpha Sheep Genetics
This sheep breeding group was established in the 1960's by a group of South Otago Romney breeders. They wanted to find the best production genetics in their flocks. To do this they all put 15 ewes into a central flock which was grassed on one Balclutha farm. This meant that all these ewes and their progeny were getting the same feed in the same environment and so the difference in production was the result of genetics. This highlighted which sire used in the central flock had the best genetics.
When this sire was used in group flocks the same year it would create a baseline from which all other sires used could be compared. Eight flocks each using 4 sires allowed us to compare the performance of 32 sires.
We purchased several high priced sires from the Gore Sale and compared them with our own sires. Nothing performed above our sires.
In the 1980's and 1990's other breeds were being imported and were being used in the sheep industry so we changed our name to Alpha Sheep Genetics and allowed these new breeds to be used in the group. Although we still have a Romney base we have introduced East Friesian which has lift the milking ability of the ewes and the weaning weight of their lambs. The Texel breed has greatly increased meat yields and the Coopworth breed has increased reproduction.
With sire selection and the introduction of these other breeds has lifted our group overall production so that the flocks in Alpha have an overall Maternal + Meat Index of $10 above the average NZ Stud Flock. A ram will pass half of the $10 on to his offspring. Mated to 3000 ewes and getting 140% lambs tailed gives 4200 lambs. Retain 750 ewe lambs as replacements leaves 3450 lambs for the works. At $5 per lamb extra over 3450 lambs gives $17,250 extra income from the same feed.
Alpha Sheep Genetics - Focus on the Future
Click image to download our Genetic Trend Graphs
