This years annual Coopworth Genetics Conference was held in Great Lake Taupo over three days in May. Other than the necessary formalities we were able to visit multiple locations in the Waikato district relevant to the sheep industry.
1. Tour of the Maui Milk Waikino Station, one of NZs largest Sheep Dairy operations. This visit was of particular interest to a number of Coopworth breeders as in 2016 Maui Milk crossed a number of East Friesian rams over select Coopworth ewes to develop a robust dairy sheep being used in production today!
2. Australian guest speaker Graham Gilmore, of Tattykeel to share about his unique breed of 'Australian White Sheep' followed by a visit at Kaahu Genetics (Murray Sargent’s farm) to view his imported Australian White sheep at Whakamaru north-west of Taupo.
3. Private tour of Ata Rangi Pastoral in Whakamaru- Returning forestry land to New Zealand ownership and converting into economically and environmentally sustainable dairy farm operations.
The Annual Coopworth Conference 2020 is to be held in the South Island, current location planned is in South Cantebury. Details to be confirmed.