Breeding Strategy

Arahura Sheep Genetics Breeding Program

The FE genetics we have are unsurpassed and by using our rams, you will elevate your flock's tolerance. Along with our specific selection on health traits we also focus on the following:

  • Building on the FE Gold and WormFEC Gold flock quality standards with no compromise on production traits.

  • Incorporate the stud ewes into our farm system: no special treatment, progeny DNA pedigree recorded, unassisted lambing.

  • Continue full flock genomics by Shepherd Select™ testing all lambs born and Shepherd Connect™ testing all sires used for accurate pedigree information and genomically enhanced breeding values.

  • Increase ewe lifetime reproductive performance through hogget mating and performance recording.

  • Select for early growth, moderate ewe size and high carcass yield. All hoggets are eye-muscle scanned.

  • Select heavily on soundness and structure.

Below are Arahura Genetic Trends Graphs for Maternal Worth plus Eczema and WormFEC.
The bold line represents national average for the index listed. The dotted line represents our flock average in comparison to the national average.

Graph 1
Arahura Maternal Worth plus Facial Eczema index has been consistently above the national average. We are currently sitting 2400c above national average. That places our flock on the top 15% for the trait in NZ. Our 2022 sale rams average DPX is in the top 5% percentile across the industry.

facial eczema, arahura sheep genetics, masterton, sheep genetics, SIL, new zealand, genetic improvement

Graph 2
Our flock has been WormFEC tested since 2003. National average trend line shows industry index value for worm resistance going down. As for Arahura, since full flock genomics and greater emphasis on worm resistance selection were incorporated to the breeding program, we have seen an exponential increase in DPF Index value for our flock, currently sitting 220c above national average. Our 2022 sale rams average DPF is in the top 35% percentile across the industry.

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FEGold facial eczema tolerant

FE Gold mission statement is to produce a brand that protects the investment sheep breeders have made developing the FE tolerant gene pool while providing greater clarity to the commercial farmer in regards to selecting FE tolerant rams.

To hold FE Gold status, the following eligibility criteria must be met:

  • Testing with sporidesmin at 0.60mg/kg

  • At least 10 years of testing history

  • 10% of sale rams tested for facial eczema tolerance

  • All rams used are Ramguard tested

The flock has been FE tested since 1982. We have been members of FE Gold since 2012. Testing at 0.70mg/kg from 2023.

WormFEC Gold aim is to promote the concept of genetic selection for parasite resistance as a sustainable, long-term solution to worm challenges and drench resistance.

WormFEC Gold flocks must meet the criteria below. For this reason, WormFEC Gold flocks are making twice as much progress in the selection for resistant animals as other WormFEC flocks and are not relying on a continual need for drench to maintain performance. 

  • Have been testing for at least 8 years

  • FEC test at least 30% of all lambs weaned and/or 25 lambs per sire used

  • Have an average flock DPF above 50th percentile, with an accuracy of at least 40%

  • Be genetically connected for WormFEC

There are 18 flocks across NZ which are WormFEC Gold accredited. Arahura Genetics has been WormFEC testing since 2003.

WormFEC Gold worm resistant rams