Origins and Development of New Zealand Suffolks

Introduction

These are based on UK bloodlines. Whilst the first UK Suffolks went to New Zealand in 1913, the majority of imports occurred in the 1940s-1050s with the sheep coming from leading UK flocks, which in those days were based in East Anglia.

Goldstream 192/05 use one with block. Second highest ranked Suffolk on SIL evaluation list half share hold for NZ record price of 13,500 NZ dollars. Eight 100% NZ ram lambs sired by him for sale.

Why New Zealand?

If you consider the current and future requirements of a typical UK commercial farmer then N.Z. Suffolks tick every box including:

  • Fast Growing
  • Long Living
  • Hard Working
  • Low Maintenance
  • Requiring Minimum Labour

N.Z. Suffolks originated sixty years ago from UK bloodlines that, in turn, had been developed over hundreds of years to meet UK conditions and meet UK needs. The hardiness of the Norfolk Horn allied to the meat producing qualities of the South Down have produced in the Suffolk a world class star in terms of productivity and rapid meat production.

N.Z. selection in a low labour input environment means that the modern N.Z. Suffolk meets the needs of the modern UK sheep farmer.
Differences

Although originating from an identical genetic base 60 generations of selective breeding means NZ Suffolks differ in many ways from current UK Suffolks.

Physical:

NZ Suffolks have

  • finer heads
  • less bone
  • finer shoulders
  • fine hair

NZ Suffolks are

  • taller
  • longer
  • less thick especially at the shoulders

Management:

  • Most NZ Suffolk flocks are at least 200 ewes
  • Most NZ Suffolks run alongside commercial flocks, many 10,000 ewes +
  • Lamb outdoors
  • Lamb unaided
  • No concentrates
  • Culling for lambing difficulties
  • Foot problems including foot rot
  • No foot trimming
  • No nitrogen on grass (use high clover levels)
  • Close relationships with customers
  • Private on farm sales
  • Recording – we only source from full SIL recorded flocks.



Login