New Zealand Romney
# 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 $1904.^{:788}$ It is the most numerous sheep breed in New $Zealand.^{:870}$

## 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 $year.^{:788}$

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

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 $States.^{:20}$

## 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 $kg.^{:14}$ 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 $breeds.^{:14}$

## 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 $carpets.^{:14}$

