Val d'Or General

Stud Details
General Info - Statistical Records - Animal Health

General Info

- The stud is situated at Mauriceville West on the eastern side of Mt. Bruce National Park, approx. 20 min's Northeast from Masterton.

Although the topography is generally easy hill with the studs populating the better country, it is still a hard environment to grow stock to there full potential, all stock must live and survive in order to prove there worth.
Ewe hogget's are now grown on the hills where they are faced with these more difficult conditions in order to find those able to handle the stress more easily.

Ram lambs are born, grown and their performance recorded on the property, then usually in June (aged 9 months) grazed out in the lower Wairarapa valley until November. 2007 proved to be a dry season down the valley and with no grazing available, the ram hoggets are being finish here.

The Suffolks are run separately from a commercial operation, wintering at 9 su / ha.

Property Details
- Property size = 327.4 ha - (320ha eff.)
- Topography -283ha generally easy hill, 44ha of flat (wet in winter).
- Seasonal Av. SU's = 3260

Climate

-Summer safe country
- Av. Ann. rainfall = 1729mm (69").
The very wet February 2004 recorded 640mm - 2004 Total rainfall 2709mm -A very wet year.
- Cold, wet & long Winters - Ground temperature down to 4 or 5C (V. slow growth)
- Snow settling for 0 - 4 days

- Altitude range 270m - 340m (885 - 1115 ft)

Statistical Records

Stat's & Records are kept on each animal throughout their lives ranging from individual quirks to inherent traits. The main records taken are :
At Lambing
- D.O.B.
- Lamb size - SL (Small lamb); AVL (Average lamb); LL (Large lamb)
- Dam Mothering Ability - VGM (Very good mother); OKM (OK mother); BM (Bad Mother) ( BM's are culled later)
- Number of lambs born; Birth Fate; Sex
Weaning -
- Weaning Weight recorded - adjusted to 100days (WWT)
Eye Muscle Scan -
- All lambs over 35kgs scanned for Eye muscle in mid to late Feb' (Lbs under 35kg culled)
5 - 6 Months -
- Weight taken and adjusted to 200days (LW8)
Pregnancy Scan
- All Ewes are scanned for number of lambs i.e. Barren; Singles; Twins; Triplets

Animal Health

Parasite Controls : Stud Sheep are treated for -
Fly & Lice - IGR using sprayrace and alternate SP or IGR Pour On's at shearing.
Intestinal Parasites - Treated accordingly.
Diet Deficiency Supplementation - B12 + Selenium injection; Salt licks.
NO HARD FEEDS (grain or nuts)
Vaccinations -Ewes - 5 in 1; Toxoplasmosis and Camylobacteriosis.
-Ewe & Ram Lambs - Covexin 10 in 1.

All Stud Sires are tested for:
- Brucellosis (Blood test) - Brucellosis has never been found in the Stud
- Spider Syndrome (Genetic test) - Spider Syndrome has never been recorded in the Stud.
(This is a compulsory DNA test for all Suffolk Breeders)
- DNA blood samples - All new Sires - Footscore; Cold tolerance.

All Rams for Sale are tested for:
- Brucellosis (Palpated + random blood tests)

Val d'Or Suffolks is a Brucellosis Accredited flock.