MERINO STUD

The Stud was first registered in 1969 to become Flock Number 198 and was founded by Jim and brother Neville on 29 mixed age ewes bred by A.C. Sanders & Sons for the cost of $3 each. In addition were ewes from Moutere Station, Est. H. Gibson, I.D. Smith and further stock from A.C. Sanders. These studs plus Otematata and Stonehenge bred rams form the foundation of sires used.

Stonehenge continues to emphasis a large frame, with plenty of leg, growing an even cover of well nourished, long, white, superior styled soft handling wool between 16-20.5 microns. The stud uses Merryville bloodlines that encompasses the sought after characteristics.

Breeding Program

Since 1975 Stonehenge has regularly imported from Australia a number of rams to help improve the base of sires and to keep up with the ever changing requirements of the wool market and consequent needs of ram clients.

At present the stud flock ewes number 1,200, all including 2ths are mated to Merino rams. For the past 15 years Stonehenge have operated an artificial insemination program on selected ewes. See notice board for latest update.

Selection criteria:
Breeding stock is first culled visually on size and conformation, and followed up using objective measurement results according to micron, prickle factor >1 (PV), coefficient of variation >20 (CV), standard deviation >4.5 (SD) and finally coarse edge (CEM).

Rams:
Up to 350 rams with a micron range of 16 - 20.5 are sold annually, shifting well to all areas throughout the South Island. These are available for inspection and purchase at the traditional time in late January/February and at other times by arrangement. Rams are also offered at the Cromwell Merino Ram sale held in early January.

Halfbred Rams:
Annual draft ewes are mated to Romney rams for breeding and up to 300 1/2/bred rams, which are sold annually during January/February.

A purpose built covered shed with raised viewing race enables prospective buyers to comfortably view the animals on offer free from any weather constraints.

Stonehenge is a brucellosis free flock.

COMMERCIAL FLOCK

The remainder of the flock comprises 4,880 mixed aged ewes, 1,460 2th ewes, 2,250 ewe hoggets, 300 wether hoggets, and 2,000 mixed age wethers and 120 rams.

Surplus stock are sold to long standing clients, the wether lambs going to Neville Hore of "Mt Alexander" in the Dansey's Pass and "Doone Station" in North Canterbury, with the ewe lambs to Michael Simpson of "Limavady" at Tokarahi and annual draft ewes to Mike Ensor in North Canterbury. These and all other surplus stock is sold on the property.

In addition to the 130 Hereford breeding cows and calves, up to a further 100 calves can be bought in for fattening.

SHEARING

Sheep were shorn at the Linnburn woolshed for ten years before the first shed (30ft by 60ft) at Stonehenge was erected in 1920 for a cost of 350 pounds. In 1980 this was altered to cater for more sheep and provide a larger wool preparation area. While the present six stand closed board shed is not the most modern it does have all the facilities required for the preparation of a large clip including a purpose built wool table, plenty of mobile bins, a no-tramp press and excellent lighting. Its spaciousness ensures there is an ideal wool flow thereby minimising any chance of contamination at any stage.

Shearing was done with blades until 1955 when Wolsley machines were introduced. For the last 25 years local contractor John Stringer has shorn at Stonehenge. Pre-lamb shearing begins in mid August using a cover comb, with the hoggets shorn mid September and the wethers in late November. Since 1990 Barbara Newton, A723, has been responsible for the preparation and classing of the clip. Stonehenge is an accredited Fernmark shed, reinforcing and adding to farming practises already undertaken.

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