Back in June, we sent out a few hats and caps with a simple message: thank you for choosing us. It was a small gesture, but it carried a message that we genuinely mean.
There are plenty of options when it comes to sheep genetics, and we never take your support for granted. The fact that you've chosen to work with us means a great deal, and it's a responsibility we take seriously. The decisions made around breeding stock have a lasting impact on the success of any sheep operation, and we are proud to play a part in helping shape the future of our clients' flocks.
Lately I've found myself reflecting on why people choose us in the first place. With so much information available today, there is certainly no shortage of new ideas, new technologies, and new breeding philosophies. Every year there seems to be a new answer to old problems, whether that's worm resistance, structural soundness, growth rates, or productivity. While innovation is important, I've always believed that the true test of any sheep breeding programme is what happens in the paddock, under real commercial farming conditions, year after year.
We've been breeding sheep for nearly 60 years now. During that time, we've seen trends come and go. We've tried different approaches, embraced new ideas, made our share of mistakes, and learned plenty of valuable lessons along the way. Those years of experience, combined with performance recording and science, have helped us develop a clear understanding of what works and, just as importantly, what doesn't.
If there's one thing we've learned over six decades, it's that tough sheep win.
That's always been the foundation of our breeding philosophy. We want sheep that survive, thrive, and get on with the job without needing constant intervention. Sheep that perform when conditions are challenging, not just when everything is going their way. Sheep that are productive, profitable, and practical to farm.
I'm particularly passionate about this because I believe toughness and resilience have never been more important. In some areas, sheep genetics have drifted towards animals that perform exceptionally well under high-input systems, but struggle when conditions become less favourable. Even after doing all the homework, we're finding it increasingly difficult to source outside sires that genuinely thrive long-term in our environment. That can be frustrating, but it also reinforces why we've remained committed to our own breeding philosophy.
Everything we do comes back to proving sheep under commercial conditions. Our maternal flock has been performance recorded for nearly 60 years, while our terminal flock has been recorded for more than 30. For over 15 years we've used an independent structural soundness auditing process through Guy Martin of Livestock Confirmation, assessing feet, structure, confirmation, and wool. We continue to measure and record because we believe good data supports good breeding decisions.
We've also never been afraid to put pressure on our sheep. Our ewes haven't been drenched for over 30 years and more recently haven't required dipping either. We lamb unshepherded and haven't had to assist a ewe or hogget at lambing for more than 15 years. Ewes are mated for 21 days, and that's it. Animals that struggle to maintain condition simply don't remain in the flock.
Our ram hoggets also face significant worm challenges while being farmed together under hill-country conditions. We're currently averaging only two drenches and are hoping to reduce that further. Ewe hoggets are managed the same way. We were also early adopters of skin measurement and selection and, as far as we're aware, remain one of the few breeders continuing to measure skin thickness today. Supported by good science, we believe this trait plays an important role in overall resilience and productivity.
Likewise, we continue measuring wool weights and selecting on type because we believe wool still plays an important role in sheep survival and adaptation. While many breeders have moved away from this area, we're still weighing and recording fleeces because we think it matters.
Our maternal ewes are robust without being oversized, generally maturing between 58 and 63 kilograms. Despite that moderate size, they're capable of weaning their own bodyweight in lamb at around 100 days. We've also been dag scoring for more than seven years and selecting against repeat offenders, all as part of our goal to breed sheep that require minimal intervention.
None of these practices on their own are revolutionary. However, when applied consistently over decades, they have helped us build the flock we have today.
I'm turning 60 next year and can honestly say I'm more passionate about farming than I've ever been. One of the reasons for that is that we've finally reached a point where our sheep genuinely put the fun back into farming.
When the genetics are right, farming becomes simpler. You spend less time condition scoring, less time drafting off lighter sheep, less time shepherding at lambing, and less time trying to compensate for weaknesses in the flock. The sheep simply get on with doing what they're bred to do. Farming becomes easier, more enjoyable, and ultimately more profitable.
I'd also like to say a few words about our Tumeke Romneys. They've become an exciting part of our breeding programme, but they haven't earned that position overnight. We've spent several years putting them under pressure on our Woodville block and testing them against the same standards we apply to all our sheep. Today, we're confident in backing this tough and productive Romney line.
These are certainly not average Romneys. They carry many of the traits we've spent decades selecting for, including alertness, constitution, resilience, and structural soundness. If you're a Romney breeder looking for something a little different, they're well worth considering.
The same philosophy applies to our terminal breeding programme. We believe the first and most important job of any terminal-sired lamb is to survive. Before growth rates, before meat yield, before carcass quality, the lamb has to survive and thrive. Everything else comes after that.
Our terminal sheep are bred, farmed, and selected under typical hill-country conditions. Ram lambs are exposed to prolonged worm challenges, and only those that genuinely perform under those conditions progress through the programme. Beyond survival and resilience, our focus then turns to early growth, meat yield, intramuscular fat, and skin thickness.
Whether it's our Suftex, Lamb Supreme genetics, or our specialist Hogget Lovers sires, our objective remains unchanged: to provide practical genetics that help make farming easier, more profitable, and more enjoyable.
After nearly 60 years, we're still learning, still measuring, and still challenging ourselves to improve. But one thing hasn't changed. We're committed to breeding sheep for the real world. Sheep that are tough, productive, and profitable. Sheep that thrive where it matters most.
That commitment to continual improvement also means regularly reviewing every aspect of our business, including our pricing structure. As many of you will be aware, we have reviewed and adjusted our ram pricing structure for the coming season, with some price brackets increasing this year.
As always, the choice is entirely yours, and nothing changes in our commitment to you. We will continue doing what we've always done: breeding and supplying the very best genetics we can for each and every client.
We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to hearing from you.
Kindest regards,
Simon, Pascale & the Team Tumeke
