Sheepfarmers 'too slow' in crossbreeding

ROTORUA - Sheepfarmers are taking too long to adopt new technology, says an Agriculture New Zealand consultant.

Ray Guilford says if sheepfarmers want to survive they must use new information on crossbreeding to reach optimum returns.

Instability in international demand, severe drought and higher levels of facial eczema have led many farmers to believe there will be no significant recovery short-term in the sheep or beef industries, leaving dairy farming as the only option.

"While wool is not really worth anything, trial work research has given indications that certain breeds can be used so the farmer can concentrate on meat production," Mr Guilford said.

"But farmers have been slow on the uptake."

Mr Guilford also coordinates the Bay of Plenty Sheep and Beef Monitor Farm, based on a Te Ngae Rd farm at Rotorua.

The farm is managed by several of the region's sheep and beef industry representatives and aims to show farmers a working example of what can be achieved.

Crossbreeding in order to maximise gains will be a big focus of the project.

Mr Guilford said a decision to introduce exotic sheep breeds on the farm was not made on blind faith.

Managers would follow the latest research that provided farmers with proof of the qualities held by certain breeds.

Exotic breeds were introduced 10 years ago but researchers had taken time to find out their characteristics.

Some were found to be susceptible to facial eczema, others had high lambing percentages, were efficient producers, had high growth rates and lean meat qualities.

Mr Guilford said that compared with traditional breeds, many of these qualities were exactly what the New Zealand farmers needed.

However, many farmers still had hang-ups.

"New Zealand sheepfarmers are too tentative and tend to focus on the disadvantages of certain breeds.

"They need to start concentrating on improving production. Crossbreeding is the easiest way to get the quickest benefits and each farmer has to decide what best suits the conditions of their situation."

Mr Guilford said that provided sheepfarmers were willing to adopt new technology, much greater returns could be gained - even better than dairy farmers.

"Converting to dairy farming is high and I believe we can do it for a lot less."

If sheepfarmers wanted to remain competitive they needed to get stuck in. - NZPA