New Zealand Romney
{{Short description|New Zealand breed of sheep}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{use list-defined references|date=June 2021}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox sheep breed
| name = New Zealand Romney
| image = Romney sheep, ewe with triplet lambs in New Zealand.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Ewe with triplet lambs
| status = {{ubl|{{nobreak|FAO (2007): no data{{r|barb|page=85}}}}|DAD-IS (2021): unknown{{r|dad}}}}
| altname = {{ubl|New Zealand Romney Marsh|Romney|Modern Romney}}
| country = New Zealand
| distribution =
| standard =
| type =
| use = {{ubl|meat|wool}}
| weight =
| maleweight = 90–110 kg{{r|dave|page=14}}
| femaleweight = 55–70 kg{{r|dave|page=14}}
| height =
| maleheight =
| femaleheight =
| skincolour =
| woolcolour = white
| facecolour = white
| horns = polled
| note =
}}
File:New Zealand sheepfarming (Page 12) BHL21982257.jpg
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.{{r|cabi|page=788|dad}} It is the most numerous sheep breed in New Zealand.{{r|cabi|page=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.{{r|cabi|page=788|dad}}
By 1915 it was the most numerous sheep breed in the country.{{r|jrm|page=13}} In 2000 the Romney constituted almost 60% of the national herd, with some 26.3 million head.{{r|dave|page=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.{{r|dave|page=20|coop}}
Characteristics
The New Zealand Romney is a thick-set white-woolled sheep of medium size; ewes weigh some {{nobreak|55–70 kg}} and rams about {{nobreak|90–110 kg.}}{{r|dave|page=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.{{r|dave|page=14}}
Use
The New Zealand Romney is reared for both meat and wool. Fleeces weigh about {{nobreak|6 kg}}; staple length is in the range {{nobreak|180–230 mm,}} with a fibre diameter of some {{nobreak|32–36 μm}} (Bradford count 48/46s). The wool is used for clothing, for blankets, for hosiery, and for carpets.{{r|dave|page=14}}
References
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{{Sheep breeds of Australia and New Zealand}}