Mating 2023
Grunta (EG/340/21)
Buck (MD/385/20)
Sonny (WW/9/21)
Zoro (MD/124/20)
2023 rolled around quickly and with another successful February on-farm sale under the proverbial belt we were excited to stretch the Tarata Hills Wiltshire genetic pool out further for the coming season. Two new 2tooth sire rams were purchased and they both couldn’t be more opposite. Grunta purchased from Enfield Genetics is a muscular brute of an animal, built low to the ground and comes with a bit of an attitute. He was put over the 50 new 2tooth studs hoping to lace his meaty quality over our youngest genetics. Sonny on the other hand is a tall, placid ram, purchased for his high footrot resistance from Waimea Wiltshires. We purchased him as a ram lamb in 2021 and kept him thorough to determine if his feet could cope with the heavy Southland soils and he did not disappoint. Sonny was put over a large proportion of the 4tooth studs. Coming off great seasons last year, Mangapiri Downs’ Zoro and Buck were back in the mix to mate the 100 M/A stud ewes.
The 4 sire rams were left in their designated mobs for 2 cycles (34 days), harnesses being used to distinguish early/lates after the first cycle. They were then removed and Grunta was put back in with the entire 197 to catch any ewes that were missed.
Lambing is predicted to start on the 14th of August and finish early October.