Waimara Romney
In 2017, the Waimara family re-opened an old chapter in our breeding history and began breeding Romney’s again. Tom & Sally had successful Romney and Poll Dorset studs from the early 80’s to the early 2000’s and unfortunately due to the expiration of the farm they were leasing the studs were dispersed. Twenty years on we decided to bring back our sheep breeding program, a venture dedicated to the creation of a hardy, efficient flock with superior wool production.
Waimara Romney’s breeding program was founded on a deep understanding of both the environmental and economic challenges faced by modern sheep farmers. In 2017, two-tooth ewes from Taimate were chosen as the foundation of the flock. Known for their excellent genetic traits and adaptability, these ewes were the perfect starting point for a breeding program aimed at balancing wool quality with low-cost farming practices.
Today, the program focuses on low-input, manageable fertility, survivability and premium wool traits—ensuring that the lambs they raise are not only resilient but productive for generations to come.
One of the standout features of Waimara Romney’s breeding program is its focus on low-input farming. By carefully selecting sheep with good natural resilience, the program ensures that the flock thrives with minimal input, reducing overall costs and enhancing sustainability. Stud ewes are run amongst our 4500 commercial ewes all year round except at mating for obvious reasons and lambing. At lambing we tag all lambs at birth and record their dam’s mothering ability and udder. Our lambs are tested vigorously with our drenching program, born mid September, weaned mid December, the entire mob is left un-drenched. On March 1st those showing obvious signs of worm burden either in appearance or growth rate are taken out of the stud program. Then over a six week period from the remaining lambs are monitored for worm burden and recorded and removed if they need drenched until we are left with the only the hardiest of animals. From there they do resume a normal drench program so they are ready for either ewe replacements or sale rams – no ewes are ever drenched after their first mating.
When it comes to breeding, fertility is one of the most critical factors to consider. Waimara Romney’s program has strategically focused on manageable fertility, a balanced approach that ensures sufficient lambs for the farm’s needs whilst avoiding over-breeding. By selecting sheep that demonstrate strong maternal instincts and healthy reproduction rates, the program has achieved a reliable and sustainable lambing rate of 165%. Any ewe that has more than one single or set of triplets in her lifetime is culled.
One aspect of Romney breeding we stubbornly refuse to let go of is our commitment to superior wool quality. Wool is not only a critical product for the farm’s success but also a sustainable and eco-friendly resource that is entirely undervalued by the rest of the world. The breeding program places a strong emphasis on sheep with excellent wool characteristics, ensuring high fibre yield, low micron (avg 36 micron) and superior texture. The wool is soft, resilient, and ideal for a range of products, ensuring that Waimara Romney’s flock remains a valuable asset for wool producers.
Waimara Romney’s breeding program is an example of how thoughtful planning, sustainable practices, and careful breeding can create a resilient and productive flock. Looking ahead, the program continues to evolve, with a focus on further improving genetic lines and adapting to the changing needs of both farmers and consumers.