Breeding Better Business: FE Gold

As part of our PGW Livestock Team, our Genetics Specialists work alongside clients from one end of the country to the other. Helping them develop successful breeding programmes and future-proofed businesses. With lambing in full swing - September is an ideal time to start thinking about ram selections and partnering with the breeders.

What are the questions I need to be discussing with my rep and breeders?

What is my breeding objective?

How do I increase production through performance – While Managing Costs?

How do I future proof my business using the right Genetics?

How important is Facial Eczema to my breeding program?

One of the very first questions you should ask yourself is - Should I be using Facial Eczema (FE) Rams in my flock?

FE is becoming more widespread. If you farm in the North Island or even the top of the South then the answer is Yes!!

Here are a few simple questions to ask your breeder or your Livestock rep.

Can you show me your “Ram Guard certificate”?
On the certificate it will tell you:
- How long the breeder has been testing.
- How many rams have been tested?
- What dose rate they are testing at.

Can you show me a “FE tolerance genetic trend graph”?

The extensive data will show you the breeder is moving forward with his program.

The simplicity of this data shows you are partnering with the right breeder.

FE Gold sets the standard for FE tolerance in ram breeding – to be a member of FE Gold they need to be testing at least 10% of their sale rams – also testing 0.6mg per kg – testing for at least 10 years.

The sub clinical cost of FE is often underestimated. Not all affected animals will “break out” with the clinical signs but will still have liver damage and decreased production. If there is a decrease in scanning of 10% in a flock of 2000 ewes the maths would suggest 200 less lambs at $120 each is a loss of $24,000!

For more information go to the FEGold website: www.fegold.co.nz

Cam Heggie

Livestock Genetics Representative

027 501 8182