ARDG - Advanced Romney Designer Genetics
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Welcome to
 Advanced Romney
Designer Genetics​

​​

​Formally the Auckland Romney Development Group.  The ARDG was formed in 1968 out of a desire to produce an easy care sheep with increased animal production and profitability, this group of Romney ram breeders are leaders in Romney ram genetics.   Now in our 53rd year of breeding, our genetics are unsurpassed.

As the research has become available we have pushed into the maternal traits of disease tolerance (FE) and worm resilience / resistance.  Our FE genetics are unsurpassed and other ram breeders are using ARDG genetics to elevate their flocks resistance. Piquet Hill, Waiohine (WRG), Wairere, Kaahu, Hildreth and St Ledger are just some of the studs using ARDG FE genetics.  We have also contributed to the pilot Multiplier project with Whangara Farms as a breeding partner, supplying semen from the groups rams to contribute to the improvement of the Whangara Farms flock.  We are also regular contributors to the Central Progeny Test. 

Go to where other ram breeders buy their rams from.  Just contact any of the breeders on the contact list below and you are on the way to enhanced flock performance.  

We utilise the most up to date evaluations on our rams including Molecular Breeding Values (DNA) to increase our genetic gains and to ensure yours. 
The new name cleverly reflects the advances in technology now being utilised by the group. The move, in 2018, to ranking our rams based on New Zealand Maternal Worth (NZMW) compares animals based on all maternal traits plus FE and Worm Fec.

Protect your flock for the future and use our leading FE tolerant and worm resilient genetics.

To see how our flock compares to the other recorded maternal flocks in New Zealand, click on the link to the breeding value graphs for 2021.  The blue line depicts all recorded Maternal flocks in NZ, The orange line depicts the ARDG group average.  Noting that negative values for FEC1 gBV and GGT log 21days along with SIL DP Dag score are desirable.  ardg_graphs_2021.pdf


A selection app has been developed that you can use on a computer or smart phone called nProve, check out 
https://nprove.nz/#/home and make your selections based on maternal, area/s and traits and the tool will direct you to a breeder that matches your objectives.
​There is a fantastic tool on Beef and Lamb genetics that lets your compare the value to you as a commercial farmer, based on the use of a ram for three years, evaluated on NZMW only. You can simply hit on the settings button in the right hand corner, type in how many ewes you are mating, what your expected lambing percentage is and some other simple data,  the calculator will give you the expected increase in income based on the animals NZMW.  For our clients who are also investing in FE, just by using our genetics the value is much more than shown on NZMW and when you come to select a ram you will find we have ours ranked according to NZMW + FE +WORM FEC giving you a much more thorough selection list from which to choose from. 

https://www.blnzgenetics.com/ram4ram/

In addition if you haven't downloaded the app Ramfinder yet give it a try and type in the traits you need, ie FE, FEC etc and you will find our rams there. https://www.sil.co.nz/tools/ramfinder  Check out NZMW + FE +FEC and you will find our breeding group is your best option forward in your breeding programme.



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Bob Steed, Rhys and Helen Dackers
DARGAVILLE
Phone Bob: 09 4332616
​
027 7770832
kereru_station@xtra.co.nz

Phone Rhys & Helen: 09 4332461
helsnz1@xtra.co.nz


Adrian and Jenny Savannah
​
KAUKAPAKAPA
Phone: 09 4276393

info@glenbrookfarms.co.nz

​Marchant Farms
John and Jan, Greg and Angela

MARAMARUA
Phone 09 2325613
marchant.farms@farmside.co.nz
Greg and Angela 
gregm@farmside.co.nz

Craig and Tina Alexander
MATAMATA and DANNEVIRKE
Phone: 07 8881703
calexander@outlook.co.nz




Paul Crick and Dayanne Almeida
MASTERTON 
Phone: 
0274504085
arahuragenetics@gmail.com








ARDG - Advanced Romney Designer Genetics