TYPICAL B11 SIRE
Terminal Sires
B11 Terminal Sires
Peel Forest Estate believes in keeping farming production
systems simple, especially in extensive operations.
To produce venison profitably and simply you require reliable
effective Terminal Sires and efficient robust, hardy and healthy
hinds.
Background:
When Peel Forest Estate expanded its deer farming activities and set up a 3,500 commercial breeding hind herd, we identified the need for a Terminal Sire with powerful genetics that was highly productive, totally reliable, easy to maintain and eventually had measured genetic merits. We employed Dr. Peter Fennessy of Abacus Bio Ltd., a science genetic evaluation company in Dunedin. They analysed the desirable genetic traits and developed a breeding strategy for Peel Forest Estate to create the Superior B11 Terminal Sire.
Objectives:
B11 Sires must achieve the following goals:
1. To utilise the advantages of hybrid vigour to
enhance superior growth rates.
2. To achieve early calving within a tight
range.
3. Reliable high libido obviating the need for
back up stags.
4. Increase the number of hinds a stag can
cover.
5. To be an easy care, easy to winter hardy
sire.
Composition:
We selected the correct conformation and growth rate superior elk bloodlines together with early calving high libido eastern deer identified with superior breeding values. Bloodlines for hardiness and disease resilience were also a very important inclusion.
Achievements:
1. Early calving. Scanning & foetal
assessment indicate high percentage of first cycle
conception.
2. High conception rates. We are currently
achieving up to 98% conception rates using 2 year olds at a rate of
1:30 with no backup stags.(one client used 3 two year olds on 186
hinds and had 6 dries! Not recommended but proof of their
libido)
3.Growth Rates. B11 progeny appear to be growing
at same rate as Wapiti crosses but with more consistent progeny per
sire. With careful selection growth rates are continuing to
increase.
4. Hardiness. Clients have noted that stags come
out of the roar in excellent condition and appear very hardy. They
are proving to be very easy to winter.
5. Johnes Resilience. From the extensive work we
have carried out with the Otago University on Johnes we have
achieved a degree of Johnes Resilience in our B11's, which is
passed onto their progeny.