Northland’s Jasper Hewlett-Coffey, 13, has big plans for his sheep stud

Jasper Hewlett-Coffey is a sheep stud breeder in the making.

Jasper Hewlett-Coffey comes from Te Kapaha Farm, a 230ha property, approximately 20 minutes south of Whangārei in the Mata area.

At 13, he has already started a sheep stud with expansion definitely on the horizon.

Jasper said he has always had a “massive” interest in sheep, which runs in his family.

“My great-grandfather had Romney and Ryeland sheep studs and loved his sheep as well.”

Jasper said his goal was to breed good sheep that had grown up in the Northland climate, which was widely known to be a tough humid environment.

“If they perform well in Northland they will do well anywhere.”

Well-known Romney sheep breeder, Gordon Levet, encouraged Jasper to continue his genetics and Jasper said he had started already.

“He has bred worm-resistant Romneys, and I would like to keep working on the path he started and has worked hard on.

“In the future, I would like to have one of the biggest studs in New Zealand but being more realistic, in the next few years I would like to grow my flock to around 70-80 Suffolk ewes, and the same kind of numbers with my Romney flock.”

Jasper has chosen Suffolks and Romney for his sheep studs.

He reasons that Suffolks are very attractive sheep and farmers like them for their easy identification.

He said that on his family farm, they have always had Romneys, and they were amazing multi-purpose sheep, with good wool and meat, although sadly, wool wasn’t worth a lot at the moment.

His Romney stud is called Kikitangeo North and his Suffolk Stud is called Te Kapaha Terminals.

When not tending his flock, Jasper Hewlett-Coffey likes to play chess or tennis.

Jasper knows what to look out for in his stock.

“When I look for good sheep, feet are especially important as well as structural soundness.

“Good growth, length and a good hind quarter are also important.”

Jasper said he was grateful for the support he’d had so far.

“I have been incredibly lucky to have a lot of good farmers and people involved in this wonderful industry helping me.

“Lance Paganini and Cam Heggie from PGG Wrightson have helped with contacts and what to look for in a good sheep.

“Gordon Levet has also shown me a lot, including how to take faecal samples and get them tested for worm egg counts — this is important for breeding worm resistance.”

PGG Wrightson auctioneer Cam Heggie has been a mentor for Jasper, assisting with contacts and advising what to look for in a good sheep.

Jasper said Heggie showed him the ropes on a King Country farm.

“Cam took me to spend some time on Russell Proffit’s farm in the King Country where he has some amazing stud flocks, including Suffolks and has been extremely helpful.”

He’s also a dab hand at the admin side of things.

“I tag my lambs at birth; my Romney flock is on SIL (Sheep Improvement Limited), but my Suffolk flock is not yet, but I still record all the information in Excel.”

He also has an eye on animal health and shearing.

“I am trying not to drench my animals too much, especially the Romneys who have worm-resistant genetics.

“Drench resistance is becoming more of a problem.

“My sheep get shorn with the rest of our main flock, but any extras are shorn by my dad.

“I am learning and can now crutch them.

“My terminals only get shorn once a year and my dad helps me tag my sheep.”

And what does this budding sheep breeder do when he is not tending his flock?

He loves playing chess, competing in tournaments, playing tennis, and hanging out with his family and friends.

So what are Jasper’s long-term goals?

He hopes to continue farming but is also considering studying veterinary science, as it goes well with his love of animals - especially sheep.