15 years ago the Growbulk sheep offered a new and significant dual purpose option for commercial farmers wishing to fast-track production gains and genetic efficiencies.

Perendale / Growbulk

Initially developed on Whatawhata’s steep King Country hills with its challenging summer dry climate the Growbulk is destined for a return to the hills as the dairy expansion pushes sheep operations further from the plains and rolling hills. For the last two years Rosedale has trialled a Perendale/Growbulk cross for those hill farmers wishing to concentrate on their preferred Perendale breed but with the chance to introduce the muscling, growth and survival genes from the Growbulk. With Rosedale Growbulks already proven on hill stations throughout the South Island the Perendale/Growbulk cross provides an option to introduce the production genes and then stabilise back to the Perendale base breed. Perendale/Growbulk rams will be available this breeding season.

Charolais / Growbulk

2015 is the 4th year we have used Charolais genetics as a terminal option. Developed separately from our dual purpose Growbulk sheep, it provides a focus simply on maximum meat production. While possessing many of the same growth and muscling traits of the Growbulk, the Charolais cross hasn’t had the same selection history on fleece weight so we prefer to develop the Growbulk/Charolais as a terminal option.

Merino / Growbulk

Our other exciting development is the Halfbred Joint Venture breeding programme we are involved in with the Nine Mile Merino Stud. At Nine Mile Gordon and Spin Lucas and Studmaster Jane Rive have for the last 15 years been following a breeding programme with their Merinos parallel to what Rosedale has been focusing on with its Growbulk sheep. Emphasis on muscling, growth, constitution and confirmation at Nine Mile from the fine wool Merino has been the focus to breed a true Dual Purpose Merino. In both the Merino and the Growbulk sheep, visual muscularity representing superior growth and muscling characteristics is the link between superior fertility, survivability and both pre and post weaning growth weights. It further represents superior Ewe Efficiency and Ewe Longevity. For us at Rosedale, Nine Mile is the perfect and preferred partner to be involved with as we jointly evaluate and develop an exciting new Halfbred option for the dryer hills of the South Island. 
The Growbulk cross over the Merino offers unique production characteristics unavailable from any existing Halfbred cross. The Myomax and Loinmax muscling genes in the Growbulk translate to a faster growing, higher yielding carcase. The finer micron high bulk wool from the Growbulk is also better suited to meet the finer wool specification required for options like the SmartWool contract. This year a Nine Mile Merino ram has been used over 130 stud ewes at Rosedale while a Rosedale Growbulk ram has been used over Nine Mile Merino ewes at Tarras. Initial evaluation will assess the relative performances of the different crosses particularly under the differing environments. Ewe lamb progeny from both will form the basis of a fully SIL recorded ‘Pure Taste’ Halfbred stud.

What We've Achieved

Rosedale is also about supporting communities and people. This year we have offered all buyers a 5% donation from all rams purchased to the charity, school, sports club, etc of their choice. It is our way of giving something back to communities and thanking those that support us.

community support this year includes

Westpac Helicopter Trust. Burwood Spinal Unit. Waikaia Home & School. Otago Community Hospice.

Air Rescue Trust. Richard Hunter. Clutha Valley Brigade. Fiordland College Te Anau.

Te Anau Primary School. Thornbury school. Toe Toes Brownies & Guides. West Otago Swimming Pool.

Mount Linton endurance riding club. BMC Courts Project. Waianiwa School. John McGlaschan Cricket Fundraiser

The Gore Kids Hub Charitable Trust. St Johns

Become a Partner

As part of our ongoing training programme we welcome the involvement of the many young interns we have had as part of our Stud and Breeding operation at Rosedale.

Quite simply the combination of best available genetics and best available technology is the doctrine to drive the Rosedale Breeding Programme.

breeding programme initiatives

The eye is still the most important selection tool available and that is fully complimented by the assessment tools associated with full objective measurement, SIL data analysis reporting and now the DNA capabilities of the 50K and 5K SNP chip.

All progeny weights are recorded at Weaning and then every subsequent 50 days to assess the growth profile of individual animals and the combined progeny lines. All measured traits are SIL recorded with EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values) supplied to aid selection.

Ram lamb selection is based heavily on visual muscularity with an emphasis on confirmation and then superior growth rates after which potential retained animals are further assessed through Ultrasound Eye Muscling to base the final retained selection. Ewe hogget replacements are based on the same selection criteria along with a Body Condition Score at mating time as hoggets. All retained progeny are recorded for fleece weight as hoggets.

Lifetime performance of ewe replacements forms the basis for all reproductive, survival and longevity assessments and predictions. All ewe replacements are weighed and Body Condition Scored at each mating and at each weaning.

Visual muscularity and Ewe Body Condition Score (EBCS) are the key drivers to all aspects of Ewe Efficency and Ewe Longevity and Rosedale continues to lead in establishing a Breeding Value for these traits based on Ultrasound and DNA SNP chip technologies.

DNA assessment through the 50K and 5K SNP chip has been used extensively at Rosedale. All rams retained for use at Rosedale are fully DNA recorded and this year an additional 300 ram lambs have used the 5K SNP to offer an elevated selection as demand for the rams grows. Success has followed as an innovator in these areas to the point where Rosedale Growbulk has been ranked by OVITA as first in Lamb Survival since 2003 measuring Lamb Viability at Birth.

SIL also ranks Rosedale Growbulk as a trait leader in Dual Purpose Meat Yield with a consistent top ranking. As finalist in the Glammies three times over the last 4 years and winning the title of New Zealand’s Tastiest Lamb in 2012 with our Growbulk sheep the emphasis on Visual muscularity is providing the link between real production and PURE TASTE

In sheep breeding you can either lead or follow and leading is what we have done with the Growbulk sheep. The three biggest areas for production gain are successful hogget mating, lamb survival and ewe efficiency/longevity and Rosedale Growbulk provides all three

What We've Achieved