No-one knows more about what’s best for a particular farm than the person on the spot.
Kelso farmers reject slavish breed guidelines in favour of what performs best for them, on their property. Our breeding strategy is built on maximising the rate of genetic gain for the traits that contribute most to their profitability, based on a stable, recorded base, which we upgrade and modify as farmer needs change.
Because we listen we understand the diverse needs of farmers, and offer rams for specific requirements. For example, for farmers whose lambing percentages are already at target we offer rams with strengths in other traits such as growth rates and parasite control. This allows individual farmers to select rams most suited to their particular needs at any time, as part of their overall flock development.
Kelso Genetics has been built on thinking – and thinking laterally – from the start. That was when Roger Marshall posed this question: “Why limit the potential of our sheep by ‘straight-jacketing’ their genes and voluntarily limiting genetic diversity by being bound by strict breed society rules?”
We know from nature that the growth and development of a species requires diversity, yet New Zealand sheep breeders have long been in the habit of doing the reverse. Kelso has thought hard about how best to apply new genes for maximum, sustainable genetic gains, to maximise diversity and growth. Our farmer clients are a core part of this process and are among the most progressive thinkers in sheep farming. Like Roger Marshall they are always thinking about how to enhance their profitability through ongoing genetic advances.
We also think hard about our technology partnerships, like those with Abacus Bio, who run our ‘genetic engine,’ Pfizer Animal Genetics (gene marking) and Progressive Meats (comparative breed processing data). They are all key parts of the Kelso approach, helping us develop the best possible animal for a particular purpose, be that farming orientation, land type or climate.
Kelso has been built on innovation from the outset – a willingness to break from the ‘established norm’ to create a new level of performance in sheep breeding. As a pioneer in composite sheep breeding and in technology (pioneers of the computerised Sheeplan system in 1970), we were born and bred on innovation. Technology is at the core of this, because the best tools are essential to genetic progress and increased profitability.
For example, we use progeny testing for traits from lamb survival to resistance to parasites and facial eczema, going beyond what standard recording can achieve for faster genetic gains in the right areas. Our genetic programme is designed to maximise the speed and consistency of genetic progress, which involves working closely with world-leading animal geneticists at Abacus Bio and Pfizer Animal Genetics.
Abacus’s Animate programme ensures the best are mated to the best, for maximum genetic diversity and hybrid vigour. Furthermore, we are using extensive gene marking with Pfizer Animal Health to maximise the presence of the MyoMAX® gene. Around 70 percent of Kelso Maternals and 50% of Kelso Terminals now have the gene, and we are steadily increasing this towards the goal of 100% for both.
We also innovate on price. Kelso Multiplier terminal sires are now available as hoggets, reducing the average price of Kelso Terminal sires by 35%. This also gives farmers the option of recouping much of the purchase price by culling the ram after the first season, thereby ensuring the maximum genetic development through having new and enhanced ram genes every year.