BLACKDALE STUD Texel Sheep

texel sheep

BLACKDALE TEXEL STUD.

Is located in the Ermedale district of Southland, South Island New Zealand. It is 50 kilometers West of Invercargill city and 16 kilometers north of Riverton. Consisting of 300 hectares (740 acres) of Ryegrass and White Clover pastures with a flat to rolling contour and a temperate climate.
We farm 4300 stock units of which 3000 are texel.

Establishment Of Texel Stud.

The Texel stud was established in 1991 based on purebred Texel ewes from Sheepac. These ewes, hoggets and rams were all bred in New Zealand from embryos taken from pure Texel ewes in Finland and Denmark.
Due to impressive results in the first year more purebred ewes were purchased from LambXL in 1992. Only top quality ewes and rams were purchased on both occasions to establish the flock with the best genetics and physical type of animal possible. We are currently recording 600 purebreds

lambing at 155-165% lambs tailed to ewes mated. All purebreds are recorded and are intensively selected on several genetic and physical traits.

Superior Attributes.

The Texel stud was also established to produce terminal sires of superior carcass attributes (high quality, lean meat.)
The results were outstanding with Texels showing higher dressing out percentages and yields of lean meat than any other breed tried.
Overall conformation and muscle of the lambs was miles ahead of the boney breeds before and the Texels amazed as they remained lean to some very heavy weights.

Huge Benefits For The Farmer.

Primarily a superior meat sire, the breed also has other characteristics which produce huge benefits for the sheep farmer.
The ewes have excellent maternal instincts, good milking and very efficient feed conversion.
They are able to forage in all seasons and climates- and do well.

Adapt Well.

The ewes adapted to roughage and feed changes, and showed much less incidence of disease. They also have the ability to stay clean.

Survival Rates.

The lamb survival rates were noticeably higher with the lambs surviving some extremely cold wet storms and the odd spring snow storm.

Texel ewe with lamb.111/87 has had 52 lambs 42 by ET

Micron and Fleece Weight.

Add to this a very nice 34 micron, high bulk wool with some of the best animals clipping 5 kilograms per year and is obvious the Texel could be and is, an all-round successful sire of crossbred dams.
Selection pressure and breeding objectives have evolved to include important dam breed features as a result.
With the international market for wool rewarding finer micron and bulk wools, Texels can return increased wool prices for the producer.

Worm Tolerant and Dag Free.

Both lambs and ewes proved to be worm tolerant and very free of dags.
Agresearch scientist John McEwan has just released his findings of a trial with Texel-Romney cross and Romney lambs into identifying resistance to internal parasites and found after two field challenges that the Texel cross lambs had significantly lower levels of the three main parasites even though the pure Romneys were already part of a resistance selection program.

Soundness a priority.

Physical soundness still has top priority with all lambs and ewes inspected on
feet, colour, constitution and wool.

Performance recording.

Performance recording of eye muscle, fat cover and lean growth rate traits dominate selection for lambs kept and sires used.
Conformation is typified by overall carcass balance and large gigots.
This, combined with the excellent milking ability of all ewes has enabled rapid progressive improvements in weaning weights and fertility.

Fleece quality and weights.

Fleece weights are recorded. Fleeces of a high quality (free of faults) with high bulk about 34 micron are the main ewe fleece. Weights range from 4.0kg to 6kg for a 12 month fleece.

Selection - analysis and culling.

Selection and sire analysis is also maintained of entropia, dagginess, birth weights, autumn weights, pigmentation, visual type, movement bone structure and teeth.
After extensive selection and culling out, the top 40% of rams born are sold as 2ths (at 18 months of age.)

The link to the left is a guide to the classification scheme of the breeds great strength.

The link to the right is the results of a trial progeny test and a guide to cooking.

For more information contact:
Peter and Marion Black 64(3)224 6059 (Phone/Fax)NZ
Leon and Wendy Black 64(3)2246106 NZ

Or - Info@es.co.nz

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