NEW Zealand genetics are helping to future proof a west Dorset sheep farming business.

And Steve Huxter from Filford Farm, Salway Ash, is prepared to share how he is doing that with other farmers on June 29. He will be discussing how he and the family are developing a 5,000-ewe enterprise for the future – one that is geared towards sustainability and without payments.

The key to that, he says, is a closed flock of Highlanders - they’re New Zealand bred genetics from Innovis, which supplies sheep breeding technologies to the UK livestock industry.

Mr Huxter said: “We are gearing up for the future with a much lower level of support by embracing change, and that means a sea change in genetics, management and trading opportunities.

“We are establishing a flock that can virtually look after itself, demonstrate efficiency by maximising kilos of lamb per acre from grazed grass and forage crops, sell added value surplus ewe lambs and leave as much profit as possible.

He will explain how they are achieving 196 per cent lambs scanned from the Highlander flock which is stocked at 4.5 to five ewes and lambs per acre on a forage based system, with one person managing up to 1,800 ewes.

He added: “Our Highlander ewes are consistently producing more from less; they mature at an average 60kg and are averaging at least 29 per cent lambs more reared than any other genetics we’ve ever farmed. We find the vast majority lamb within the first cycle and by themselves, the lambs are vigorous, and the ewes make good mothers with plenty of milk. Furthermore, they thrive off grass without any concentrate, last winter being an exception. We are expecting seven lamb crops, five a minimum, and for the culls to have a higher carcase value. These ewes come with an evidence base which we believe is the way forward.” they are bred from trusted performance recorded stock.”

Wether lambs are sold as stores, while the ewe lambs are retained as replacements and any surplus will be sold for breeding.

Innovis’ Dewi Jones said: “Commitment to research and development has enabled Innovis to build on its successful and established sheep breeding programmes which offer a selection of both maternal and meat sire lines.