UK farmers get wider choice of NZ sheep genetics

Innovis chief executive Dewi Jones signed the distribution agreement with Focus Genetics (previously Rissington Breedline UK) on a recent visit. It will now be able 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 about 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.

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," he says.

"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."

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."

Focus Genetics key UK facts
• Largest red meat genetics company in the world
• Landcorp, New Zealand's largest farmer, owned by the Government is a shareholder and major customer
• Provides over 100 UK farmers sheep genetics
• Sells Primera (terminal) and Highlander (maternal) rams in UK, South America and Australia
• Sells also Romney and Landmark (maternal) and Lamb Supreme and Texel (terminal) rams in NZ
Innovis Key Facts
• Leading supplier of sheep breeding technologies to the UK livestock industry and UK's first sheep breeding company
• Operates the largest performance recorded flock in the UK (more than 40 traits recorded in 1850 ewes/ ewe lambs in 2012) farmed under commercial conditions at 1000ft and lambing outdoors.
• Produce a selection of both maternal and terminal lines that are bred entirely from grass-based systems for commercial lamb production.
• Supplies Aberdale and Aberfield (maternal) and Abermax and Abertex (terminal) sires and crossbred females to more than 450 customers.