Kelso Terminal

The Kelso Terminal (Kelso Prime and Kelso Ranger) is a dynamic terminal sire.

Bred using leading terminal genetics, Kelso Terminals have excellent vigour and constitution, consistently siring lambs with high survival levels, fast growth rates, high carcass yields and desirable meat characteristics (leanness and muscling).The rams are bred from the top 5 percent of the Elite Kelso flock and Kelso’s scale means farmers have good selection numbers.

The performance evidence

Kelso Terminal Hoggets

Farmers are also saving significant amounts by purchasing Kelso Terminals as hoggets in March, with the option of holding them for the long term or having them processed as heavy lambs in the winter and recouping, at current prices, between 30% and 40% of the purchase price. On this basis the sire cost can be as low as $2 per ewe mated, and farmers are simplify their farming system and reducing feed pressure through not having to carry their terminal rams for an additional eight months. In addition to the direct economic benefits, farmers who do this will ensure they get the full measure of the genetic gain every year. In other words they always have the ‘very latest model’, in an annually updated Terminal sire team.

MyoMAX®

Another key benefit of the Kelso Terminal is the MyoMAX® gene. Unique to breeds bred from the Texel, the gene was discovered by Agresearch in 2006 and is identified in individual animals through gene marking undertaken by Pfizer Animal Health.  Around 50 percent of Kelso Terminal have the gene, and gene marking is being used to take this, over time, to our target of 100%.

Agresearch studies show that sheep with one copy of the MyoMAX® gene have up to 5% more muscling in the leg and loin and up to 7% less carcass fat.  On a 17kg carcass this equates to 110 kg more loin muscle, 100gm more shoulder muscle, 240 gm more leg muscle and 322 gm less carcass fat. Animals with two copies of the effect (MyoMAXGOLD®) have up to 10% more muscling and 14% less fat across the carcass.

The yield benefits of MyoMAX® compared with non MyoMAX® in a Kelso trial show:

  Dressing % Increase $ Value
MyoMAX®  (single copy) 1.60% $4.30
MyoMAXGOLD® (double copy) 3.20% $8.70

If you want to hear about Kelso Terminals from the people who really matter – those who farm them commercially – feel free to contact any of the below:

  • Phil Barnett, Dannevirke, Hawke’s Bay; (06) 374 3555
  • Ross Berrett, Hunterville, Rangitikei; (06) 322 8785
  • Gary Brady, Te Pohue, Hawke’s Bay; (06) 839 1827
  • Andy Bush Ngatapa, Gisborne; (06) 863 9824
  • Curwen Hare, Waituna West, Manawatu; (06) 328 6744
  • Shane Hurley, Hunterville, Rangitikei; (06) 322 8032
  • Paul Robottom, Wakarara, Hawke’s Bay; (06) 856 6636