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How do you breed sheep that thrive in wet coastal hill country without routine drenching? What traits actually matter when you're selecting for challenging conditions?

This week on the podcast, Mark is chatting to Fred Gane, owner of Kaituna Ridges, an 800-hectare farm above Havelock and the Pelorus Sound in the South Island of New Zealand, alongside his wife Nikita.

Fred runs a mixed grazing operation that includes over 5,000 Romney sheep and 200 head of cattle, as well as a Romney stud. Fred breeds dual-purpose romneys that thrive in their wet, coastal hill country conditions, which involves targeted parasite management rather than routine drenching of adult sheep, maintaining pressure on structural traits and selecting for animals that perform consistently in their challenging conditions.

Fred also discusses diversification through the family farm’s multiple enterprises, including their wool brand, Kaituna Ridges, which adds value to the fibre they produce, alongside their tourism business that brings visitors onto the farm and showcases their operation.

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