It appears that the proportion of the Perendale flocks has increased possibly at the cost of the mid-micron and finer wool breeds. Alternatively it might simply be a reflection of the decrease in sheep on the more productive land types that have moved to dairy and dairy support.
Farmers also listed 135 terminal straight-bred flocks, including 12 individual breeds. Of the terminals, the most numerous breed was the Texel followed by the Suffolk, then the Poll Dorset. The Texel represented 30% of the terminal straight-bred flocks listed, indicating the success of this breed since first being introduced early in the 1990s.
What is likely to be surprising to many in the industry is that of the 1300 flocks listed 40% (n = 526) were composites. Of the 526 composite flocks listed by farmers, 449 were Romney-based, including those composites based on the Coopworth or Perendale breeds.
In total in the survey, 214 individual breeds or composite types were reported by the farmers.
Most of the composites could be classed as a maternal type. Within the composites, 42% had Texel, 21% Finn and 10% East Friesian genetics indicating the success these breeds have had in the change in composition of the New Zealand sheep flock. Further, of the composite flocks that contained Finn, East Friesian or Texel genetics, 89 had two of these types and 10 had all three.
In total in the survey, 214 individual breeds or composite types were reported by the farmers. This indicates the diversity that now exists within the NZ sheep flock following the release of the exotic breeds early in the 1990s.
The changes in the structure of the national sheep flock have no doubt contributed to the changes in performance levels observed now compared with those of the late 1980s. Back then, the national flock of 60 million sheep consisted primarily of the Romney (46%), Coopworth (13%) and Perendale (8%) breeds. At that time the average lambing percentage was 102% with an average carcaseweight of 13.5kg.
Through the 1990s a greater proportion of farmer income was generated through the sale of lamb. This resulted in a change in selection policies and the breeds used on many farms. In addition, there has been an increase in the use of composite sheep types.
The national flock is now around 31 million achieving a lambing percentage of just over 120% with a carcaseweight of 18kg. The net effect of these increases in individual performance traits has resulted in the total amount of lamb meat produced being similar to that produced late in the 1980s.
It will be of interest to determine if the apparent rise in the use of composites continues over time.
The structure of the survey will allow the Massey and Lincoln University scientists to determine the lambing percentages of the breeds and composites listed and make an informed comment on the relative lambing percentages today compared with those of the late 1980s. This will be especially interesting for the traditional breed types.
Scientists involved include Professors Paul Kenyon, Hugh Blair and Steve Morris and Dr Rene Corner and Dr Anne Ridler from Massey University and Dr Andy Greer and Mr Chris Logan from Lincoln University.
- Paul Kenyan is Professor of Sheep Husbandry, International Sheep Research Centre, Massey University.
