Grassendale was originally Manawa run in 1884, consisting of Horoweka/Mairangi/Manawa and Grassendale, it was bought by John Dalziell and Ash Bunnys grandfathers and split it into four farms in 1931.
John Dalziells father managed Grassendale from about 1943 and bought into it. John Dalziell took over in 1972, he purchased the land and bailed the stock in 1974. John cleared and developed 230ha in three blocks over 4 years with development loans. And then a further 300-400ha over the next 15yrs.
George and Luce purchased Burtonfields (311ha) the neighbouring property to Grassendale in July 2005. A family succession plan was put in place and they purchased Grassendale in 2009. The two farms are run as one “Grassendale”. It is a steep summer dry hill country farm, with a particularly high wind run.
| Total area | 1565ha |
| Trees | 200ha |
| Bush | 315ha |
| Total Effective | 1050ha |
| Flat | 115ha |
| Easy/Med | 432ha |
| Steep | 503ha |
| Mudstone | 1565ha |
| Silt loam | 200ha |
| Sandstone/Argillite | 315ha |
"We started using Grassendale Genetics in 2014 and results speak for themselves. It’s not only the fertility of these sheep but the biggest thing is their ability to bounce back! Give them a pinch and it’s just not a problem!
We have lifted the lambing percentage from 135% to a five year average of 151%, but at the same time lifted the weaning weight of the lambs by 5kg Which is also an indication of the ewes outstanding mothering ability and that our survival has lifted from scanning to docking so substantially as well.”
Ian and Fiona Healey
Alfredton
We are sheep and beef farmers on hill country in Owaka, South Otago. Primarily a breeding and finishing unit. We have purchased Grassendale rams for the last 7 years. Lambing percentage currently at 156% unshepherd.
Survivability and weaning weights have continued to increase over this time. It the consistant preformance and improvement through varying seasons which confirms to us we are with the right stud breeder.
2023 Production points:
204% MA tripleted. 0.5% dry in them triplet rate of 15% and single 13%. Two tooths scanned 193% tripleted- 1% dry. 200% over whole flock. Hoggets 563 to the ram for only 16 days scanning 107% to the ram- 425 of 563 were in lamb so in lamb rate of 175%. Maternal lambs weaned 110 days- 60% of male maternal cripts averaged over 36.
Todd and Sophie Rowland
Owaka
Improving ewe efficiency is a massive win from using Grassendale Genetics rams, say Wairarapa farmers Johnie and Laura McFadzean. The couple run Glenbrae near Masterton, one of four properties in the McFadzean family’s sheep and beef cattle enterprise. Johnie says he is impressed by the performance of his Romney flock since he began buying rams from Grassendale Genetics.
“Our ewe flock is definitely more efficient now. Our ewes are more moderate in body weight, but they still produce lambs which we can finish faster and easier right up to 23kg carcase weight,” Johnie says.
“They have a robustness and ‘do-ability’ which means that even in a tough season, the ewes bounce back quickly and still wean lambs at good weights.” The McFadzeans say the structural soundness of their flock has also improved since they began buying Grassendale rams.
“We’re not running 75kg ewes, they are more moderate in bodyweight, but they have the structural soundness to handle our hills and perform right through to being culled for age.”
Their flock’s scanning index is typically between 2.8 and 2.9. “We are happy to recommend Grassendale Genetics as our ram source to other farmers looking to build an efficient, structurally sound, high performing sheep business,” Johnie says.
Johnie and LauraMcFadzean
Wairarapa