Why buy Arkley Genetics

1

Stud Sires

With a long history of the Potters supplying stud sire to other studs both in New Zealand and exported overseas. We are set up to supply you with sires or semen to progress your stud forward. If you are a commercial farmer, buy straight from Arkley Farm.

2

Real Farmers

While we are 5th generation farmers in the area, we are not on the family farm. Our farm has to be financially viable, one of our policies is "no passengers", every animal and every paddock at Arkley Farm must pull it's weight. This is a major breeding policy, we love to cull.

3

Commerical Scale

With 9,000-10,000 ewes and hoggets put to the ram every year. We have to have sheep that work for us. The Ohio stud sheep have proven themselves over 3 generations of Gardynes. They will prove themselves to your family too.

4

Performance Recorded

SIL Flock Number 2937, "You can't mange what you don't measure". We record our sheep and utilise the lastest technology

5

Physically Sound

You wouldn't run a Ferrari on bald tyres. Sheep without sound feet, legs and constitution are just walking dog tucker. No matter their figures if they are unsound the dogs get fed.

6

Consistent Breeding Objectives

From 1972-2023 there have only been 2 Ohio stud masters with a long overlap. After tagging along ram buying at Ohio for 15 years and then another 15 years doing the buying Peter still has Trevor on board going forward to make the transition smooth.

The breeding objectives are staying the same. Using the latest technology to breed physically sound, high performance sheep that will work for you and put $ in you pocket. Progress is made by keeping on track.

Looking forward, the next generation is already in training.

Commercial Poll Dorset Rams

7

Land Use Change

We farm from the flats to the hills, we are pushed by the change to trees on one side and on our best flats we grow arable and seed crops. We understand that while this is sad, it is the real world. The Arkley answer is to keep breeding better sheep to compete and complement these other land uses. No complaints just solutions.

8

Pushing Boundaries

While our breeding objectives don't change, neither does the attitude of keeping up to play with the latest technology. Lately IMF (Intramuscular Fat), DNA foot scores on sires and EID are all at the leading edge of the Ohio stud.

Stud History

Established in 1972 by the Roland & Daphne Potter at Pukerau near Gore, then joined soon after by their son Trevor. Ohio Poll Dorset became one of the top Poll Dorset studs in New Zealand, supplying sires to both commercial and stud farmers.

In 2023 Pete & Esther Gardyne, third generation commercial farming clients of Ohio, leased the Ohio farm and purchased the stud. With Trevor still on board in an advisory role, the stud is set to continue it's progress into the future

Breeds

Poll Dorset

The basis of the stud is the Pure Poll Dorset flock. Breed for survival, growth and meat quality. These rams are growth kings with the biggest eye muscles.

This pure breed maximises the Hybrid Vigor potential for our commercial flocks especially if they have a texel component in their ewe flock.

Poll Dorset Texel

The Texel crossed over our Poll Dorset ewes give another option to our clients and are popular for farmers with no texel in their ewes to mazimise the hybrid vigor. These rams have a slight survival edge, meatier carcase shape and are more suited to a maternal cross situation.

While our focus is on breeding terminal sires, we do supply other studs and some commercial flocks are using them as a maternal breed for this we also run a maternal index for those that want to see it.

CONTACT US

If you want to talk about your sheep breeding objectives and how we can help you have "sheep that work for you". Or other opportunities for the Arkley team to progress your business. Call Pete.

Pete Gardyne +64274263311

arkleyfarm@gmail.com