From sheep breeding to Wimbledon: Derek Daniell supports son Marcus

Wairarapa farmer Derek Daniell is up for an award from Beef + Lamb but he's decided to go to Wimbledon to watch his son Marcus play. Photo / Supplied

It's the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry awards tomorrow in the Wairarapa. The Country's Jamie Mackay catches up with one of New Zealand's best known sheep breeders Derek Daniell from Wairere Rams who is nominated for an award.

Unfortunately Derek can not attend the awards but he has a good excuse. He's in Wimbledon watching his son Marcus.

Derek is taking the opportunity to follow his son's progress while he can. Marcus has also been selected to play doubles in the Olympics so he's riding a wave of success and his old man wants to soak up as much of it as he can.

Although Marcus lost in the first round he was consoled by the call up to the Olympics with his doubles partner Michael Venus.

Derek says doubles can be a fickle game compared to the singles tournaments. Solo players can be 'hot on the day' and at the top of their game in a singles match but doubles is a different beast and the mighty can easily fall.

What about the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards?

Daniell is a finalist in the category of Significant Contribution to the New Zealand Sheep Industry but he is up against some tough competition.

Derek has nothing but praise for his fellow nominees saying Chris Mulvaney put his career on the line as a vet to take a proactive position in the industry. He did this by trying to create better performing sheep and cattle for farmers rather than being 'the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff' by curing animals that were already sick.

Matt and Lynley Wyeth, have been integral in promoting farming as a great industry to be in to urban New Zealand. Daniell finds them inspirational and says he's lucky to have them in the district.

Finally it's time for the 'B' word. What's happening over in London in the wake of Brexit, and what does it mean for New Zealand sheep farmers?

Daniell says it feels 'like a hangover' in England at the moment. Like others in the industry he is worried about the future of New Zealand lamb in Britain but it's difficult to pick what is going to happen eventually.

He's also heard that Brexit may not even happen!

Hear the full The Country interview between Jamie Mackay and Derek Daniell in the Soundcloud embed below: