David's Story

From the shearing sheds of Southland to the forefront of New Zealand sheep genetics, David Colhoun has spent more than four decades building Colhoun Genetics with one goal in mind: to help farmers succeed. Known for his practical, no-nonsense approach, David combines a lifetime of hands-on farming with a passion for continual improvement. His story is one of hard work, innovation, and loyalty to the farming community that shaped him.

From Shearing to Farming

David grew up knowing farming was the only life for him. His father worked as a shearer, butcher, and farmer, and by his teenage years David was already crutching sheep and shearing for neighbours. While studying at Lincoln University in the mid-1970s, he shore weekends to earn extra money—work that also opened his eyes to the traits of successful farms: well-fed stock and tidy systems.

Alongside his mate Brent McIntyre, David shore on an open run, both of them driven by the dream of farm ownership. In 1983, David took the leap, purchasing 100 acres on Bluff Road and a 40-acre lease block—an achievement made possible through years of shearing and hard work at the Makarewa Freezing Works. From there, he steadily grew his farming footprint, leasing and managing multiple properties and at one stage running 6,000 stock across Southland.

The Start of Colhoun Genetics

The turning point came during his time at Lincoln, where David met Professor Coop, founder of the Coopworth breed. That encounter sparked a lifelong interest in ram breeding and performance recording, and in 1985 Colhoun Genetics was born.

From the beginning, David was driven by a belief in measuring stock performance. He was never content with “good enough.” He wanted proof that genetics could deliver real gains on commercial farms—and he set out to breed rams that would do exactly that.

Pioneering Pregnancy Scanning

In the early 1990s, David helped introduce pregnancy scanning to Southland—one of the first three non-vets in New Zealand to be trained. At the time, sheep genetics and feeding practices had room for improvement, and scanning quickly proved its worth. Farmers could feed twin-bearing ewes better, lift survival, and improve efficiency.

Demand grew fast, and within two years David had built a team of Welsh scanners and locals helping farmers across the country. For 32 years, scanning connected him with farmers from every corner of New Zealand. He treasures those years of conversations, knowledge shared, and friendships formed—always learning as much as he gave.

Breeding Philosophy

For David, breeding rams has never been about short-term wins. It’s about steady, consistent gains that make a difference year after year. He often says the farmers making money are the ones who focus on the basics, keep things simple, and look for incremental improvements across their systems.

That philosophy runs deep at Colhoun Genetics:

  • Keep it practical – breed for traits that matter in the paddock, not the show ring.
  • Commit to accuracy – use DNA technology and performance recording to back decisions.
  • Focus on clients’ success – because, as David says, “the success of my business is built on the success of my clients.”

Today and Beyond

Now with over 40 years of breeding behind him, David continues to bring the same energy and commitment to Colhoun Genetics. Every ram is selected with care, backed by data, and matched to the farmer’s system—not the highest bidder at auction.

David is proud of the role he has played in helping Southland and New Zealand farmers lift productivity, but he remains as humble as the day he shore his first sheep. For him, it’s never been about the spotlight—it’s about better flocks, stronger farms, and the satisfaction of seeing clients succeed.