WAIDALE RAMS, RAM BREEDERS

No Gimmicks, No Ego, No Bull.

Waidale is a specialist ram stud operation based in South Canterbury, they breed Romneys, Southdowns, South Sufolks and Lincolns. The Waidale focus is on breeding Waidale Ram Breeders, Romneys, southdowns, south suffolks lincoln rams that meet the markets requirements of an easy care, high fertility ewe, that produces fast growing lambs with a high yeilding carcass, simple really!

Stockmanship

Fast becoming a lost art, a lot of breeders are relying solely on performance data. You need a combination of both to breed good rams. Waidale still cull everything on visual appraisal first. They cull for eyes, colour, pasterns, legs, poor hindquarter, heavy shoulders, teeth, poor wool, poor loin etc; This practice is conducted on a constant basis. Waidale Rams owner Ike Williams believes "all such bad traits if not culled for, will, I guarantee you, lead to a decline in the productivity of your flock in the long term".  He feels "Good stockmanship is vital if you are to breed stock with good ongoing productivity; without it, your productivity will decline I Guarantee it!!!!! I consider this the most significant advantage we have over many breeders".

Extensive Performance Recording

Waidale Rams has been performance recording their flock for 44 years. Everything is weighed at weaning and again 6 to 7 weeks later, eye muscle scanning has been conducted for 7 years now, 30 week wool weights and of course fertility recording is also done.  All this allows Waidale Rams to breed and bring to Kiwi farmers a sound high fertility, high growth and high meat yielding ram with good wool (Romneys). 

All flocks areSIL performance recorded: Waidale Rams upload and download all their own data, and, as such they can provide a report on any rams, tailor made to the client’s needs. Waidale can also provide the raw data relevant to all the BVs Waidale Ram Breeders, Romneys, southdowns, south suffolks lincoln provided.  

Worm Resistance

The Waidale ewe flock never gets drenched and they practice an extended drenching programme with all young stock they retain.

High Fertility

The Waidale ewe flock consistently wean in excess of 150%. Two of the very fertile romney rams involved in the trials to find the so called  “wishart fertility gene” namely Tresco 148-03 and Blythburn 1388-04, have been owned by Waidale Rams and used in their flock. For many years Waidale have culled any ewe that has two singles in a row. Yes slow sustainable genetic gain, science shows 2.5% is sustainable.

Survivability

Waidale have been culling poor mothers and assisted lambers for what seems forever, they have a genuine easy care flock. Waidale lamb losses from scanning to weaning fluctuate annually, approx, between 10 and 20%.The Flock’s not unsheperded, as they need accurate pedigrees, but any problem ewes are culled, which are very few these days.

Waidale Ram Breeders, Romneys, southdowns, south suffolks lincoln Longevity

Waidale only ever bank on replacing a max of 25% of the flock, a significant cost saving when your ewes keep on keeping on.

Growth Rates

An animal with good growth rates is logically less hindered by worms.Waidale 5-05, did 450grams a day for 8 weeks as a lamb! He among other things has passed on this growth trait. On top of this Waidale 81-06, who was in the RNZ meat yeild trial 08, interalia came out number 1 on weaning weight of his progeny and on age at drafting (i.e. youngest to reach kill weight). Waidale Rams are at the forefront of growth rates!!!

Scientific Research

Waidale has been involved with Lincoln University, where they assisted in footrot, cold tolerance, and a longevity trials. They have been involved in growth trials, and are an active participant in the Romney NZ meat yield trial that has been running for 5 years. All Waidale Sires are DNA profiled for footrot and cold tolerance, they have been testing for 7 years with all Waidale sires at the top of the scale.

All this ensures that Waidale are aware of the latest research and are ready to uptake any meaningful scientific developments that will improve their flocks.

Waidale Rams are innovators, they are leading the market in growth, and yet still understand the importance of stockmanship.

If you are looking to increase the value of your flock contact Ike Williams on (64) 3 614 8388 or click this link to learn more.