SHEEP Country Episode 1 – Waitohi Peaks: Shedding composites advantage
Focusing on shedding composites has reshaped farming at Waitohi Peaks, where Andrew, Sara, Digby and Guy Heard run stud and commercial flocks on North Canterbury hill country.
In this episode, Jo Scott speaks with the Heards about their shift to shedding composites, the workload and cost savings, genetic progress, and the opportunities they see for building more resilient and profitable sheep systems.
Guests:
- Sara, Andrew and Guy Heard, Waitohi Peaks
Host:
- Jo Scott, Genetic Specialist, Targeted Breeding
Andrew, Sara and Guy Heard are building a resilient sheep farming operation at Waitohi Peaks in North Canterbury. After years in large-scale organic farming, they’ve focused their stud and commercial flocks on shedding composites, valuing their low-input advantages, cost-savings and adaptability to hill country conditions.
They share insights into the practicalities of transitioning to shedding sheep, from genetic progress and resilience to facial eczema and parasite tolerance, through to workload savings and profitability. The Heards also talk about the importance of recorded genetics, collaboration with other breeders, and their vision for developing robust, profitable sheep that make farming easier and more sustainable.
Contact the Heards to find out more here:
Email: waitohipeaks@gmail.com
Phone: Guy – 027 774 2553 Andrew – 021 272 7522
