Artificial Insemination Genetic Gains Invercargill New Zealand

 

Genetic Gains Ltd New Zealand

Our Vision

To facilitate the genetic improvement of New Zealand's sheep industry by distributing quality genetic material from proven superior sires, and promoting benefits of the use of elite genes and encouraging their use through the provision of quality animal breeding services which meet the needs of New Zealand sheep breeders.

Email: Julia Aspinall
Phone: 03 2163455
Phone Intl (outside NZ): 001164 3 2163455
Owner Profile
Ram Semen Marketing
Benefits of Genetic Improvement
Woodlands Artificial Breeding (AB) Centre
Cervical AI and Ram Semen Collection Courses
Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer Services
Recording bureau for Sheep Improvement (SIL Bureau)

Owner Profile

Julia Aspinall, principal of Genetic Gains Ltd. has specialized in animal breeding since 1985 and now in 2011 is heavily involved in some of New Zealand's most intensive genetic reproduction operations. These include a large angora goat programme, LambXL's "New Breed" Quarantine, Silver stream's East Friesians, Tara Hills' Superfine Merinos and numerous on-farm programme's. Julia has a B.H.Sc, M.Sc. and NZIM Dip. Mgt. Genetic Gains was established in 1995 and is based in Invercargill, New Zealand. In 1999 Genetic Gains Ltd became a registered company.

Ram Semen Marketing Service

For the New Zealand Market

Genetic Gains Ltd produces a ram semen catalogue featuring genetically superior sires. Romney, Coopworth, Texel and Suffolk etc.
These are the main breeds represented, but other breeds are also included.
  • All rams featured in the catalogue have been proven to be genetically superior either by sire referencing, progeny testing or some other comparative trial. This ensures that the genes offered are from among the most productive rams in New Zealand.
  • The catalogue is distributed to farmers in New Zealand who have shown an interest in AI. To order a catalogue, please email post address.
  • Having the ram featured in the catalogue is a free service for breeders, who benefit from the advertising, the recognition of having bred or purchased an elite sire and revenue from semen sales.

For the International Market

NZ has a wide range of sheep genetics of a very high quality. Overseas breeders are invited to specify their requirements for ram semen. Genetic Gains Ltd. will then find the donor animals which meet these requirements and process the semen according to the appropriate export health protocol. 

Email: Julia Aspinall

Images of Current Sires ...

Coopworth, Marlow 5203/04 leaves very well muscled progeny and has consistently ranked very highly for dual purpose traits. His straws qualify for export to Australia.

Romney, Blythburn 409/06 Excellent conformation, is strong in maternal traits. Gene tests show  highest resistance to foot-rot and cold tolerance. Carries the  MyoMAX  gene straws, export to Australia are available.

Coopworth, Marlow 144/08 ranks within the top 3% for growth and 9% for meat yield in the January 2012 NZ Coopworth analysis. His straws qualify for export to Australia.

Texel, Brenley 66/08 produces show winning and high sale value progeny which also have very strong performance in growth and meat yield.

Texel, Tamlet 323/07

Texel, Tamlet 323/07 is the second highest proven ram for a terminal sire index including growth and meat yield on the NZ Texel list in January 2012.

Texel, Blackdale 447/03 Dual purpose and terminal sire. Won prizes at shows, and been a top priced ram at sales. Two copies of MyoMAX muscling gene.

Texel The Burn XA2/99 is a consistent breeder that leaves structurally sound lambs. Has very even fleece, finer micron, black feet. Straws are available for use in NZ and Australia.

Te Rakau 92724's sire imported embryo from UK. Sire's pedigree includes impressive winners and top prices UK Shows/sales, straws imported into New Zealand.

Perendale, Hazeldale 1106/08 has left lambs with very good weaning weights. His breeding value for autumn live weight is also excellent.

Greeline, The Gree 1645/07 is a well proven ram who has consistently ranked highly on a number of across breed reports.

Perendale, Hazeldale 542/02 is a well proven, high performing sire. He leaves well muscled very high growth rate lambs with excellent fecundity.

Suffolk, Waterton Y302/07 is ranked 2 for a terminal sire index including growth and meat yield in the current NZ Suffolk analysis (May 2011).

Wiltshire, Whata L635/03 is an excellent shedder. On arrival at the AB Centre he had only a small tuft of wool on each back leg remaining.

Perendale, Bonnieview 55/01 provides  a ram well in production and disease resistant. From a flock of 1500 fully recorded ewes, farmed under tough organic standards.

Suffolk, Nithdale 48/05 has been bred in a relatively challenging environment. He has performed very well for terminal sire traits, particularly growth.

Charollais Sheep NZ 10/10 is the top 2010 born Charollais for growth. He has developed into the largest and most heavily muscled ram.

Charollais, Dannengate 302/10 is the best example of the Charollais shape from all sale rams at Dannengate. He is a thickly muscled ram from a sire line previously unavailable in NZ.

Greeline, The Gree 349/10 performs exceptionally well in both dual purpose and terminal sire traits.

Corriedale, Rosebank 42/00 is a moorit ram with an excellent quality fleece for handcraft.
Straws are available for export to North America.

Coopworth, Cairnlea 279/07 is a very high ranking ram on production traits, especially Reproduction, Growth and Meat. Straws are available for export to Australia.

Suftex, Nithdale 325/06 provides breeders with an opportunity to use a black face sire with a double copy of the MyoMAX gene.

Suftex, Nithdale 294/10 has been selected by Premier Suftex breeders to represent the group in the 2012 Central Progeny Test.

TEFRom, Twin Farm 807/07's progeny have an exceptionally fast growth rate and a high lambing percentage.

Woodlands Artificial Breeding (AB) Centre

The Woodlands AB Centre (established 1992) is 22km from Invercargill. The Centre is licensed by Biosecurity New Zealand (registration number NZSC23) for export. Rams are health tested before being admitted to the Centre and are frequently monitored for live weight and general health. Breeders can be sure their valuable sires are receiving very good care. Our animal and laboratory technicians are extremely thorough, and ensure a very high standard of quality control is maintained. Frozen ram semen is the best possible insurance for preserving the genes of valuable stock

Top ↑

Services provided by the AB Centre include:

  • Ram semen collection / processing for domestic use /export.
  • Semen storage
  • Semen dispatch.

Email: Julia Aspinall
Phone: 03 2163455
Phone Intl (outside NZ): 001164 3 2163455

Genetic Gains Ltd. will continue to provide these services and
will strive towards continually improving the quality and
range of services offered.

Artificial Insemination & Embryo Transfer Services

We offer on-farm reproduction services for sheep including intrauterine (laparoscopic) Artificial Insemination (AI). The average conception rate is 75% with frozen-thawed semen or 85% when fresh semen is used. AI provides breeders with the opportunity to try elite sires they wouldn't otherwise have access to.

For New Zealand breeders, it may also may provide you with the opportunity to strengthen links or 'connectedness' of their flock to others in their breeding group. Use of AI should help to improve the profitability of your flock for at least one production trait.

Top ↑

Multiple Ovulation & Embryo Transfer (MOET)

The average embryo hold rate from fresh transfers is 75%. Years of experience have led us to a surgical technique which presents a minimum of risk to the integrity of the ewe's reproductive tract, and which minimises scars on the abdomen. We also import and export frozen embryos.

Top ↑

Do-It-Yourself Cervical AI & Ram Semen Collection Courses

These courses are designed for sheep farmers who have a small number of genetically superior sires on their property which they would like to use over large numbers of ewes. Do-it-yourself Cervical AI Courses are held on request for a minimum of 4 anda maximum of 6 people per course.

A comprehensive manual is included, and at the end of the one day course participants are fully competent to carry out cervical AI on their own sheep. Ram Semen Collection Courses are held on request for a maximum of 4 people per course. This is also a one day course including a comprehensive manual. It covers ram semen collection and handling, processing for immediate use and field assessment.

Top ↑

SIL Bureau (Performance R)

Handheld logger for SIL performance recording

Genetic Gains Limited operates an animal recording bureau for Sheep Improvement Limited (SIL), New Zealand's national sheep database. We are committed to making the animal recording process as user friendly as possible.

We recognise that breeders spend a lot of time and effort collecting records, and that accurate data entry and reports are therefore very important. Breeders can choose to collect their data using GeneCapture II (our hand held datalogger and software), other electronic methods or pen and paper.

We recognise that as a breeder, you spend a lot of time and effort collecting records, and that accurate data entry and reports are therefore very important. Gene Capture ... Our hand held data logger for efficient and accurate sheep recording.

Top ↑

Our Services Include ...

If you have not been involved with SIL recording before, we explain to you why it is important for ram breeders to belong to the SIL database, discuss which records are of most benefit to you, when to record them and how to make the best use of the reports.
We offer you the option of recording manually using paper pre-lists which list the IDs of the relevant animals in your flock, or electronically using Gene Capture, our hand held data logger with a programme especially developed for SIL users.
We recognise the fact that as a breeder, you spend a lot of time and effort collecting records, and that accurate data entry and reports. We double check every record we manually enter onto the database, and communicate with you about any mistakes in records e.g. duplicate lamb tags.
Gene Capture users receive a 20% discount on our services, improved accuracy of record collection, and save you hours of time. The Gene Capture programme has special features for individual requirements e.g. multiple flocks, prefixes for Texel lamb tags etc.
We tailor-make reports to suit your individual requirements, and suggest options which may be of benefit to you.
We prepare a newsletter of topical and technical information three times a year, and are very keen to discuss your breeding programme.
Top ↑

Benefits of Genetic Improvement

Use of rams achieving an average rate of genetic improvement (compared to no genetic improvement) results in an increase in cumulative net profit of tens of thousands of dollars for an average sheep farmer over ten years. Use of elite rams (compared to average rams) can more than double a breeders rate of genetic improvement as well as cumulative net profit (see graph below). AI and MOET helps breeders to achieve a rapid rate of genetic improvement and thus high value ram sales. AI with frozen-thawed semen allows use of elite sires even after they are injured or dead.

Top ↑

Artificial Insemination & Embryo Transfer Services

Julia Aspinall is the principal of Genetic Gains Ltd and has specialised in animal breeding since 1985 and has been involved in New Zealand's intensive genetic reproduction operations.

Genetic improvement, cumulative profit, 3 sheep generations.

Email: Julia Aspinall
Phone: 03 2163455
Phone Intl (outside NZ): 001164 3 2163455
Fax: +64 3 2163405
Postal:
PO Box 7102
Invercargill
New Zealand

             Related links ...
Top ↑