New Zealand Romney

The New Zealand Romney is a New Zealand breed of sheep. It derives from British Romney Marsh stock imported to New Zealand in the nineteenth century, and was established as a separate breed in 1904.^{[4]: 788 [2]} It is the most numerous sheep breed in New Zealand.^[4]: 870

New Zealand Romney

Ewe with triplet lambs
Conservation status	FAO (2007): no data[1]: 85  DAD-IS (2021): unknown[2]
Other names	New Zealand Romney Marsh Romney Modern Romney
Country of origin	New Zealand
Use	meat wool
Traits
Weight	Male: 90–110 kg[3]: 14  Female: 55–70 kg[3]: 14
Wool colour	white
Face colour	white
Horn status	polled
Sheep Ovis aries

Ram and ewe, illustration from 1915

History

The New Zealand Romney derives from British Romney Marsh stock imported to New Zealand in the nineteenth century. It was established as a separate breed in 1904 with the formation of the New Zealand Romney Marsh Sheep Breeders' Association, and the first flock-book was published in the following year.^{[4]: 788 [2]}

By 1915 it was the most numerous sheep breed in the country.^[5]: 13 In 2000 the Romney constituted almost 60% of the national herd, with some 26.3 million head.^[3]: 20

It has contributed to the development of a number of modern breeds, among them the Coopworth, the Drysdale, the Elliotdale, the Perendale and the Tukidale in New Zealand, and the Romeldale in the United States.^{[3]: 20 [6]}

Characteristics

The New Zealand Romney is a thick-set white-woolled sheep of medium size; ewes weigh some 55–70 kg and rams about 90–110 kg.^[3]: 14 It is a polled breed. The hooves are black. The face is white with a pronounced topknot; there is some kemp on the face and legs. Ewes have good maternal qualities, but low prolificacy compared to some other breeds.^[3]: 14

Use

The New Zealand Romney is reared for both meat and wool. Fleeces weigh about 6 kg; staple length is in the range 180–230 mm, with a fibre diameter of some 32–36 μm (Bradford count 48/46s). The wool is used for clothing, for blankets, for hosiery, and for carpets.^[3]: 14