New Zealand Sheep 3

The sheep numbers in New Zealand at 30 June 2005 were -
26.4 million breeding ewes
13.5 million ewe hoggests, dry ewes, wethers, rams
39.9 million sheer wintered
that is a
18% change on 1995
+2% change on 2004

The break down of Sheep Breeds 2004 to 2005 is

Romney 43.7%

Coopworth 18.3%
Corriedale 8.3%
Perendale 5.4%
Merino 5%
Halfbred 0.4%
Other 18.9%

The major breed in the North Island and southern districts of the South Island is the Romney. Corriedale and Halfbred sheep are mainly found in Canterbury, marlborough and parts of Otago. Merino sheep are predominantly farmed in the South Island high country.

New Zealand Sheep 2

The Drysdale Sheep was named after Dr F W Dry of Massey University, New Zealand and is prized for the hairs which are present in its fleece. Dr Dry isolated the relevant genetic factor and it was believed he intended to breed it out. Instead he developed a new breed which became valuable for carpet wool.

The Corriedale breed of sheep originated in Canterbury by interbreeding the half-bred type of sheep resulting from crossing Lincoln and English Leicester rams with merino ewes. The breed was named by an early breeder, James Little because he carried out his experiments on the Corriedale Station in North Otago, New Zealand. The breed was recognised by the Sheepbreeders Assocation in 1903, and was given full flock book status in 1911. The Corriedale also achieved international recognition and a regular trade developed in the export of Canterbury sheep to many parts of the world. The Corriedale is noted for the quality of both its meat and its wool.

New Zealand Sheep

Although Captain Cook landed a ram and a ewe at Ship's Cove in Queen Charlotte Sound in 1773, these first arrivals did not survive. The missionary Samuel Marsden brought merino sheet to the Bay of Islands in 1814, but there is no record of whether they survived either. More sheep were brought in the 1820's but the first fully recorded flock arrived at Mana Island, near Wellington, on 30 March 1834. The 105 merinos were imported from Australia by john Bell Wright, who exported a few bags of their wool to sydney the following year. this was the first export of wool from the colony.

The perendale breed of sheep was developed after experimental work at Massey Agricultural College in 1940, demonstrating its usefulness under unfavourable grazing conditions. It was bred from a Cheviot-Romney cross and requires less shepherding than any other breed of sheep. It is reared primarily for its meat.

The South Suffolk breed is a new breed produced in Canterbury by interbreeding the progeny of
Suffolk-Southdown crosses. The first flocks were recognised by the New Zealand Sheepbreeders Assoication in 1940...