UK farmers now have wider choice of NZ sheep genetics

New Zealand’s largest red meat genetics company, Focus Genetics has merged its resources with the UK’s leading supplier of sheep technologies, providing UK farmers with a wider range of improved sheep genetics.

Innovis chief executive Dewi Jones has just returned from meeting with farmers in New Zealand where he signed a distribution agreement with Focus Genetics (previously Rissington Breedline UK) that will enable the organisation to market rams from one of the biggest sheep gene pools in the world.

Focus Genetics UK General Manager, Bayden Wilson says the collaboration with Innovis will enable them to improve the supply of their genetics to UK breeders and allow them to increase investment in ground-breaking research and development technologies for the benefit of farmers.

"By working with Innovis we can produce better genetic gains from our UK stock and create efficiencies from the ability to share resources, skills, technologies and equipment."

Focus Genetics currently provide around 300 Primera and Highlander rams to UK Farmers annually, from South West England to the Orkney Islands and Ireland.

Innovis has already established a substantial customer base with more than 450 farms using their Aberdale, Aberfield, Abermax and Abertex breeds.

As a result of the collaboration, more than 800 rams will be available through Innovis in 2013.

Mr Wilson will continue to be involved with the UK business working with UK breeders and assisting Innovis to service current farmers and grow the business.

"We already have a significant number of farmers using both Focus and Innovis rams. Collaboration means farmers will be better serviced year round and we expect to significantly increase the sale of both genetics over the coming years."

Innovis chief executive Dewi Jones says he was impressed with what he saw while in New Zealand and believes UK farmers will benefit from the Focus Genetics breeds.

"The move will give UK breeders access to a wider range of genetic lines that have been developed to improve on-farm productivity and efficiency. We are excited to be involved with Focus Genetics and believe their customers will see significant benefits from working with our UK team."

"The Focus Genetics breeds are complementary to our own Innovis breedlines. Like us they have a long and successful history in innovative sheep, cattle and deer breeding programmes. They have also been instrumental in the development of CT scanning, progeny and parentage testing and genomic analysis," said Mr Jones.

David Turner of Mendennick Farm, Torpoint, Cornwall has developed a purebred Highlander flock over the past 5 years and has recently been using Innovis Abermax terminal sires over his draft ewes to produce quality finished lambs. They have gradually been moving their sheep enterprise from an intensive, indoor lambing system to one which is grass-based and lambs outdoors in April. He welcomes the collaboration.

"Innovis has an excellent reputation in the UK and a good presence at the key shows and sheep events. This link means we will be able to pick up the phone and speak to someone in the UK that really understands our systems and can help us source the right genetics to get the most from our sheep enterprise."

"We have seen a significant improvement in the quality and consistency of the Highlander rams over the past few years and are now benefiting from the significant investments that both Focus Genetics and Innovis have made in their breeding programmes. We’re looking forward to working through Innovis and being able to source our rams from a single UK supplier."

Hawke’s Bay farmer, Shane Tilson runs a Primera nucleus flock at Awapai Station. He says the joint venture will also be good for New Zealand farmers.

"Merging skills has got to be good for us. It gives our products another leg up into international markets. The Focus Genetics programme is cutting edge. They’re a focused bunch and they’re working hard to help improve out production and efficiency on the farm."