James
Cook released the first sheep a ewe and a ram during
his second voyage to New Zealand in 1773. They only
survived a few days. The first farms were set up in
the 1840s.
Sheep farming begun in earnest
in the 1850s and for the next 70 years wool accounted
for nearly 40% of New Zealand’s exports.
For 89
of the 112 years between 1856 and 1967 sheep framing
was New Zealands single most valuable export.
Following the first export shipment
of frozen meat in 1882, sheep meat became a significant
source of revenue.
The sheep population peaked at
just over 70 million in 1982. By 2010 there was less
than half that number.
The Merino
was the first sheep breed brought to New Zealand in
large numbers. The Corriedale – a Merino, Romney
mix was New Zealand’s first breed. Other commercial
breeds including the New Zealand Romney, Drysdale, Perendale,
and Coopworth. Recent breeds include the Texel, Finn,
Wiltshire Horn and the East Friesian as a milking sheep.
More than half of New Zealand’s sheep are Romney,
as a dual-purpose breed valued for both quality wool
and meat.
About 50% of New Zealand wool
is classed as strong crossbred (35.4 micron and stronger),
which is ideal for making carpet.
About 34 percent of New Zealand
wool is used in machine-made carpets, 12% in hand-knotted
and hand-tufted carpets, 44% in apparel, and 10% in
other uses. Only 10% of the New Zealand wool clip is
processed locally.
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