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Romney sheep
Romney sheep
Romney sheep
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A white Romney ewe from the U.S.

The Romney, formerly called the Romney Marsh sheep but generally referred to by the local farmers as the Kent, is a breed of sheep originating in England. The Romney is a "long-wool" breed recognized in England by 1800. Exported to other continents, the Romney is an economically important sheep breed, especially to the sheep-meat and wool export trades of New Zealand.

History

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Origins

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The breed evolved from medieval longwool types of which the Romney and Leicester breeds are early examples.[1] The sheep recognized by 1800 as "Romney Marsh" or "Kent" were improved in body type and fleece quality through crossings with Bakewell's English Leicester.[2][3]

International spread

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The first confirmed export of Romneys from England was a shipment of 20 from Stone, Kent, that went on the Cornwall to New Zealand in 1853. With these and a further 30 ewes sent in 1856, Alfred Ludlum established New Zealand's first Romney Marsh stud in 1860 at Newry, in the Hutt Valley, and Ludlam's brother-in-law, Augustus Onslow Manby Gibbes, also bred them around this time in Australia at his famous sheep property, Yarralumla.

In 1855, 60,000 Merinos had been in New Zealand, but the Romney Marsh sheep thrived more quickly, supplanting the Merino over most of the country. The New Zealand Romney Marsh Association was formed in 1904. Alfred Matthews was the first president; the stud he founded, Waiorongamai, is still going.[4]

In 1965, three-quarters of the New Zealand national flock was Romney.[5]

In the mid-1990s, Romneys comprised 58% of the New Zealand sheep flock (estimated in 2000 at 45 million), with Coopworths (originally Border Leicester on Romney crosses) and Perendales (originally Cheviot on Romney crosses) making up another 16.6%, Merinos 7%, and Corriedales 5.5% of the national flock.[6]

The New Zealand export lamb trade started in 1882 with a shipment aboard the Dunedin of 4,900 frozen carcasses to London's Smithfield Market. This was by far the biggest meat cargo ever carried over such a distance to that time. February 15, the departure date, is still celebrated as New Zealand Lamb Day. After 1932, the technology for shipping chilled fresh meat by sea (and later by air) further enhanced the export trade.

The breeding of Romneys is not limited to England and New Zealand. The breed has also been established in Patagonia, Australia, Portugal, Brazil, Canada, and Southern California.[7]

For many years, England was the primary source of export Romneys. Between 1900 and 1955, 18,000 rams and 9,000 ewes went from England to 43 countries.[8] New Zealand itself began exporting after the sensational win of Ernest Short's Parorangi ram at the Argentine International Exhibition in 1906. Health requirements in recent decades have made New Zealand and Australia almost the only breeding ground for exported Romney seed stock, with Brazil, Uruguay, the Falklands, the U.S., and England, itself, some of the recipient countries.

Description

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Attributes

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The Romney is not the ideal breed for every situation. Henry Fell, in Intensive Sheep Management posits that the Romney is, "A breed which ha[s] all the virtues save one, that of prolificacy [...] will thrive happily at extraordinary densities and seems to enjoy it."[9] A number of large Romney flocks in New Zealand have in the last several decades achieved better than 1.7 lambs for every ewe exposed to the ram, showing much better prolificacy than Fell had observed in England.[10] Some leaders are going yet higher, still with good survivability.[11]

Almost every detailed description of the Romney cites relative resistance to foot rot, an attribute rarely mentioned in descriptions of other breeds. A 1918 American text noted that "It is said that foot rot and liver fluke seldom affect Romney Marsh sheep".[12] A later book is more circumspect: "Romneys are said to be somewhat resistant to foot rot, liver flukes and other problems that often plague sheep in damp pastures."[13]

A Romney ram

Appearance

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The Romney is in general an open-faced breed with long wool that grows over the legs in full. Romney breed standards are not identical across all countries, but have much in common. The oldest Romney breed society, that of England (founded 1895), adopted the following standard in 1991:

The Official Description of the typical Romney sheep is as follows: Head wide, level between ears, with no horns nor dark hair on the poll. Eyes should be large, bright and prominent and the mouth sound. Face in ewes full, and in rams broad and masculine in appearance. Nose and hooves should be black. Neck well set in at the shoulders, strong and not too long. Shoulders well put in and level with the back. Chest wide and deep. Back straight and long, with a wide and deep loin. Rump wide, long and well-turned. Tail set almost even with the chine. Thighs well let down and developed. The face should be white, and the skin of a clean pink colour. Ribs should be well sprung. Legs well set, with good bone and sound feet. Sheep should stand well on their pasterns. The fleece should be of white colour, even texture and a good decided staple from top of head to end of tail and free from kemp.[8]

A Romney may have either a colored or white fleece.

Today's Romney sheep varies among and also within continents, especially as to body size. The breed can still be characterized in that respect as being in the larger half of the spectrum represented say by Cheviot (smaller end) to Lincoln (larger end). An English description of size speaks of "big sheep"—ewes, to 85 kg (187 lb), rams to 110 kg (240 lb), while the American breed standard calls for ewes at breeding age to be "140 lbs or more" and rams "200 lbs or more."[8]

The registering bodies for most sheep breeds continue to struggle with the question of what size is just right and with other finer details. These questions have no transnational or even national answers. Relevant issues include economics, ecology, and the exigencies (in some countries) of the show ring.

Fleece characteristics

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Romneys produce a heavy fleece. A healthy mature ram can yield at shearing upwards of 10 kg (22 lb) per year, while flock averages in NZ for breeding ewes are typically above 5 kg (11 lb). The increased fleece weight of a long-wooled sheep comes from the longer fiber length produced. A finer-wooled sheep (e.g. Merino, Rambouillet) actually has far more wool follicles than the long-wooled sheep, but each supports a slower-growing fiber that is, therefore, shorter at periodic shearing. The "clean yield" (net weight after thorough washing) is typically high for Romneys, 75–80%; this is a higher yield than is got for most fine-wooled sheep.

Perhaps the most important dimension of wool, which above all else determines its best use, is average fiber diameter (AFD). Romneys are strong-wooled sheep, with an AFD higher than many sheep breeds. High AFD indicates best use in carpeting and other rugged uses; lowest AFD wools (from Merinos, for example) are ideal for fine suit fabrics and luxury wear. AFD must be measured with instruments. The time-honored "Bradford system", which uses the eyes and hands of experienced humans, has some correlation to measured AFD, but can be biased. The American Romney Breeders Association declares the Romney fleece should be [Bradford system] "44s to 50s." Transformed into microns[14] by the United States Department of Agriculture this range would correspond to 29.30 to 36.19 microns. In New Zealand the standard says "44s to 52s" but gives a different AFD range: 33 to 37 microns. No international agreement exists on converting Bradford counts into AFD in microns.

The Romney's fleece is ideal for hand-spinning, and is often recommended to beginners. In the United States, where no commercial end-use for domestic strong wools exists, the most desired outlet for Romney wool is to hand-spinners. Only a small fraction of the thousands of Romney fleeces shorn in the US each year, however, go to this "niche-market" use.

Romney wool in NZ goes mostly into that country's vast shipments of wool for the rug and carpet factories of the European Union, Asia, the US, Australia, and NZ itself. An increasing amount recently has been going to China. New Zealand is the world's largest producer and exporter of "strong crossbred" wool (a term for wool with average fiber diameter >35.4 microns). In 2002–2003, the country exported about 138,000 tonnes of wool "clean basis", about half of which was of AFD >35.4 microns, the Romney domain.[15] "Clean basis" refers to the net weight anticipated after thorough washing (see "clean yield" above); much wool moved internationally is shipped before washing as the natural oils in the fleece make it travel better. In the same year, total wool exports returned nearly NZ$ one billion, about 3% of total merchandise exports revenues for the country.[16]

Natural coloured Romney rams in England

In North America and England, natural-colored Romneys (whose fleeces are not white, but black, gray, silver, variegated) have come to be valued for what they bring to hand-spinners and weavers who like the palette of natural colors. Traditionally, natural-colored (or "black") sheep were detested, as even a small amount of black fiber on an otherwise white sheep can ruin hundreds of pounds of textile.

Since 1972, natural-colored Romneys have been registered with the American Romney Breeders' Association (founded 1911), which has developed a special breed standard for them.[17] In New Zealand natural colored Romneys can be registered in the Romney section of the Black and Natural-colored Sheep Breeders Association, but are still eyed with suspicion by many breeders of white Romneys.

Economic importance

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The sheer number of Romney ewes and lambs in New Zealand make the breed not only the biggest input by tonnage to overseas and domestic wool trade, but also the major part of the country's export frozen lamb trade, as purebreds and first-generation crosses.[citation needed] New Zealand is the world's largest exporter of frozen and chilled lamb. In 2008, NZ sheep-meat exports (mostly of lamb) brought in more than half of the country's NZ$4.5 billion meat export revenues.[16]

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Romney sheep.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Romney sheep

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Romney sheep is a dual-purpose of domestic sheep originating from the Romney Marsh region in , , where it was developed from local marshland stock improved by crosses with Leicester sheep during the . Known for its lustrous, medium-wool fleece and lean, high-quality meat carcasses, the breed features a large frame with rams typically weighing 225–275 pounds (102–124 kg) and ewes 150–200 pounds (68–90 kg) at maturity, along with a broad white face often covered by wool on the forehead. Romney sheep exhibit remarkable hardiness, with hooves resistant to and a fleece that remains healthy in harsh, wet conditions, enabling them to thrive on alone without supplemental feed in many environments. As mothers, ewes demonstrate strong maternal instincts, high fertility with lambing rates often reaching 175–200% (frequently producing twins or triplets), ease of unassisted lambing, and the ability to rear vigorous that reach 40–70 pounds (18–32 kg) by 60 days of age. Their calm, gentle disposition and prolificacy make them a versatile choice for commercial and small-scale farming, while rams contribute to improved fleece quality and carcass traits in crossbreeding programs. The breed's fleece, weighing 8–12 pounds (3.6–5.4 kg) per sheep annually, hangs in separate locks with a staple length of about 5–8 inches (13–20 cm), a fiber diameter of 31–38 microns (5/32 to 1/2 blood grade), and a yield of 65–80%, making it ideal for handspinning, sweaters, outerwear, and carpets. First imported to North America in 1904 and registered by the American Romney Breeders Association in 1912, the Romney has since spread globally, becoming the predominant commercial breed in New Zealand and gaining popularity in Australia, the United States, and other regions for its adaptability to diverse climates and management systems.

History

Origins in England

Sheep farming on in , , dates back to at least the 13th century, with records indicating the presence of indigenous flocks adapted to the region's marshy terrain. These early sheep contributed significantly to the English woollen industry during the , serving as a key export commodity that fueled trade with and supported the production in Wealden . By the 14th century, wool from and areas, potentially including types linked to "" fleeces, was a staple in international commerce, though valued at average prices compared to finer wools from other regions. The Romney breed evolved from native long-tailed, white-faced European sheep that inhabited the isolated, damp marshlands of , where environmental pressures favored survival traits suited to wet, boggy conditions. Over centuries, these foundational sheep formed the basis of the type, with their hardiness emerging as a defining characteristic in the region's challenging climate. By the early 1800s, efforts had refined the breed for greater resilience to wet conditions, incorporating influences like the to enhance body type and fleece quality. Recognized as a "long-wool" breed in around 1800, the Romney was noted for early-selected traits such as the ability to graze effectively in marshy areas and produce a dense fleece resistant to high rainfall. These developments paved the way for early exports in the , including shipments to starting in the 1850s.

Development in New Zealand

The Romney sheep was first imported to in 1853 by Alfred Ludlam, who brought 16 ewes and 4 rams from Jeremiah Soloman in , , , aboard the ship Cornwall. This shipment laid the groundwork for the breed's establishment, with Ludlam's flock at Waititi in the serving as a foundation for subsequent studs, including Robert Cobb's Raukavra flock. Additional imports followed, contributing to the creation of New Zealand's first dedicated stud in 1860 at in the . New Zealand breeders undertook to adapt the Romney to the 's varied landscapes, from fertile lowlands to rugged hill , shifting emphasis toward enhanced , capacity, and meat conformation while retaining for dual-purpose utility. This process transformed the breed into a hardier, larger-framed type suited to extensive systems, with improvements in fleece density and carcass quality driven by local environmental pressures and market demands for lamb exports. Over time, these efforts elevated lambing rates and overall , distinguishing New Zealand Romneys from their English progenitors. The breed's population expanded swiftly, rising from approximately 20% of 's total sheep in 1900 to 90% by 1945, fueled by its versatility and the grading-up of crossbred flocks. A pivotal milestone was the founding of the New Zealand Romney Sheep Breeders' Association in , which formalized registration and promoted standardized improvement programs. Today, Romneys and their derivatives continue to dominate, accounting for more than half of the national flock and underpinning the dual-purpose foundation of the sheep industry.

International spread

The international spread of the Romney sheep began with exports from in the late , including a shipment to in 1872. In 1904, the first Romneys arrived in when William Riddell and Sons imported them from to , marking the breed's entry into the and laying the foundation for its adaptation there. Subsequent imports from in the early 20th century introduced bloodlines that blended English and New Zealand genetics, enhancing traits like hardiness and productivity in American flocks. Exports from extended to other regions during the same period, with the first recorded shipment of 31 Romney sheep to in 1907, followed by exports to starting in 1907 by breeder Ernest Short, who promoted the breed at the 1910 Grand International Agricultural Exposition in . These early introductions to supported local flock improvements for and production. In , the breed established presence alongside the US, with breeders participating in North American registries. The American Romney Breeders Association (ARBA) was founded in 1912 by Joe Wing to promote and register the breed across the and , facilitating its national growth. Today, Romneys are present in numerous countries worldwide, including , the , , , , , , , and the . The global population remains substantial, with New Zealand hosting the largest flock at approximately 13 million animals (about 55% of the country's total sheep population of 23.6 million as of ). In new regions, the breed has shown notable adaptations; in the , Romneys are utilized in due to their resilience in rugged, wet terrains like . In the , crossbreeding with rams like the Rambouillet has produced hybrids such as the Romedale, emphasizing enhanced meat qualities while retaining production. Post-World War II agricultural expansions further propelled the breed's dissemination, particularly through New Zealand's role as a hub for seed stock exports to support global recovery and development.

Characteristics

Body conformation and appearance

The Romney sheep exhibits a large-framed build characterized by a long, straight back and a deep, broad body that supports its dual-purpose utility in and production. Mature typically weigh between 102 and 124 kg, while ewes range from 68 to 90 kg, contributing to a substantial and well-muscled frame with strong bone structure. This conformation features a narrower front end compared to a wider rear, a square rump, and large body capacity, enabling efficient conversion and adaptability to varied terrains. The head is white and broad, level between the ears, with large, bright eyes that convey an alert expression and a sound mouth featuring a wide and muzzle with correct bite alignment to prevent wool blindness. Wool coverage on the varies from a small tuft to a thick , while the face remains open and mostly wool-free, though some on the cheeks is acceptable; the ears are thick and of medium length, covered in fine or short . Both rams and ewes are polled, lacking horns, though rams display a more masculine, robust appearance with a high head carriage, contrasted by the feminine fullness in ewes. The covers most of the body, extending to the knees and hocks but leaving the legs below , which complements the breed's hardiness in marshy or hilly environments. The sheep maintain a clean, alert carriage supported by sturdy, wide-set legs with strong pasterns and black hooves, featuring a slight above the but straight alignment below for stability.

Fleece properties

The Romney sheep is renowned for its long-wool fleece, which features a staple length typically ranging from 13 to 20 cm (5 to 8 inches), making it suitable for various applications due to its extended growth. The diameter falls within the medium to coarse range of 30 to 36 microns, contributing to a robust yet workable structure. Fleece weight averages 3.6 to 5.4 kg (8 to 12 pounds) annually per sheep, with typically producing more than ewes, and a high yield of 65 to 80 percent attributed to low grease content and minimal waste. The fleece is dense yet free-opening, parting easily along well-defined locks with minimal cross-fibers, which facilitates handling and processing. It exhibits low levels of kemp and hair fibers, ensuring a clean and uniform product. The dominant coloration is bright white and lustrous, though natural variations occur in moorit strains, ranging from to or black-based shades from silver to velvet black. This shine arises from the fleece's well-defined crimp pattern, which extends uniformly from butt to tip, enhancing its visual appeal and providing excellent dye affinity for coloration. Adapted from the marshy, rainy lowlands of , , the Romney fleece demonstrates notable hardiness, including weather resistance that allows it to remain clean and healthy in wet conditions. This trait supports full body coverage, complementing the sheep's overall conformation for protection against environmental stresses.

Uses and economic importance

Meat production

The Romney sheep is valued as a dual-purpose with significant emphasis on production, particularly in commercial lamb farming systems where it serves as an efficient maternal line. Lambs typically achieve live weights of 40-45 kg by 5-7 months of age when finished on , enabling timely slaughter for market demands. This growth supports high carcass yields, with dressing percentages around 50% resulting in carcasses of 20-22 kg featuring good muscle development and moderate fat cover, which contributes to desirable conformation. Romney ewes exhibit high prolificacy and lambing rates of 150-200%, bolstered by strong maternal instincts, ample production, and ease of lambing, making the breed ideal for maximizing lamb output in extensive grazing operations. These traits enhance overall flock productivity, with survival rates to often exceeding 85% under good . Breeding programs prioritize selection for meat-focused attributes, such as ultrasonic measurements of back muscle depth, to improve carcass leanness and growth efficiency. Crossbreeding Romney ewes with terminal sires, such as or Dorset rams, produces heavier lambs with enhanced muscling and faster growth rates, often increasing weaning weights by 20-30% compared to purebreds. This strategy is common in , where Romney-based systems dominate commercial production. The resulting grass-fed lamb is noted for its tenderness, mild flavor, and low , attributes that support strong export markets, particularly from , where such production yields premium-quality carcasses with favorable eating profiles. In dual-purpose operations, serves as a secondary product alongside these outputs.

Wool production

Romney sheep are typically shorn once or twice annually, with the primary shearing occurring in or to relieve the animals of their heavy fleeces before warmer and to prepare the for . Fleeces are then sorted by based on factors such as , staple , and uniformity, allowing for allocation to specific end uses. This sorting supports spinning counts ranging from 28 to 40, which enables the production of versatile yarns suitable for applications including outerwear, carpets, and felting materials. The processing of Romney wool benefits from its lock structure, which facilitates ease of by minimizing tangling and cross-fibers during preparation. While the fleece generally exhibits low grease content, contributing to a high clean yield often exceeding 70%, the inherent present provides natural water resistance, enhancing the wool's durability in finished products. Yield and grading systems have evolved with modern practices, including micron testing to precisely determine diameter for optimal end-use allocation, such as finer wools for apparel and coarser for . Historically, Romney breeding emphasized wool production in regions like , but selective practices have shifted toward a balanced dual-purpose focus, integrating yield without compromising wool quality. In handspinning, Romney wool is prized for its luster, which imparts a natural sheen to yarns, and its excellent take-up, allowing vibrant colors in crafted items. Common products include sweaters and blankets, where the 's resilience and felting properties add to their longevity and appeal.

Role in global agriculture

The Romney sheep plays a pivotal role in 's agricultural economy, comprising more than 50% of the national sheep flock and serving as the foundation for the country's dominant dual-purpose system. This breed's prevalence has enabled to become a leading global exporter of sheep and , with annual lamb exports valued at approximately NZ$3.8 billion (US$2.6 billion) and exports at NZ$540 million (US$370 million) as of recent data. The Romney's contributions extend to supporting rural and , as the sheep industry's generates substantial revenue that underpins and national GDP. Worldwide, Romney sheep support rural economies in countries including , the , and the through efficient dual-purpose production that balances and outputs. In the UK, the maintains over 200,000 breeding ewes, contributing to local farming systems and export markets. Globally, the breed's economic impact is amplified by its role in trade, with New Zealand's Romney-based exports influencing international supply chains for premium lamb and coarse products. This widespread adoption underscores the Romney's value in sustaining smallholder and commercial operations, particularly in temperate climates where it enhances farm profitability without heavy reliance on supplementary feeds. The Romney's sustainability in global agriculture stems from its adaptability to extensive grazing on marginal lands, requiring low inputs such as minimal supplemental feeding and veterinary interventions, which reduces environmental footprints in systems. Breeding programs, especially in , emphasize genetic selection for resilience to challenges like parasites, improving flock health and productivity amid climate variability and disease pressures. These traits position the Romney as a model for low-emission, resource-efficient that integrates well with crop rotations and biodiversity conservation. Historically, the Romney drove New Zealand's economic transformation in the through the frozen meat export trade, which began in 1882 and expanded rapidly as the breed's fast growth and meat quality met rising global demand. By the mid-, Romney-dominated flocks fueled billions in annual trade revenues, shifting the nation from colonial outpost to a key player in international and establishing a legacy of export-oriented farming.

References

  1. https://breeds.okstate.edu/sheep/romney-sheep.html
  2. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.1079/cabicompendium.66243
  3. https://pitchfork.org/romneys/about-romneys/
  4. https://americanromney.org/about-romneys/sire-dam/
  5. https://romneymarshhistory.co.uk/sheep
  6. https://www.bahs.org.uk/AGHR/ARTICLES/32n1a2.pdf
  7. https://rarebreedstrust.com.au/public/pages/ss-romney
  8. https://www.nzsap.org/system/files/proceedings/1946/ab46002.pdf
  9. https://www.masseypress.ac.nz/media/1516/sheep_txt_sample.pdf
  10. https://researcharchive.lincoln.ac.nz/bitstreams/682e20f9-0bbc-4a8a-b453-5e977f4415f6/download
  11. https://nzhistory.govt.nz/first-sheep-released-in-new-zealand
  12. https://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0717-71942010000100004
  13. https://americanromney.org/about-romneys/history/
  14. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921448820301619
  15. https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/livestock-numbers-fall-over-the-last-10-years-while-area-planted-in-fruit-increases/
  16. http://woolpro.co.nz/sheep_wool/Breeds/ROMNEY/
  17. https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/how-hardy-are-romney%E2%80%99s.385312/
  18. https://americanromney.org/docs/AmericanRomneyBooklet.pdf
  19. https://americanromney.org/about-romneys/breed-standard/
  20. https://www.romneysheep.net/breed-standard
  21. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8697994/
  22. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731120300185
  23. https://mro.massey.ac.nz/bitstreams/ebc1c1bc-ef93-41f7-b71f-644f2fb8e066/download
  24. https://www.nzsap.org/proceedings/1999/genetic-parameter-estimates-lamb-survival-romney-sheep
  25. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284091189_Genetic_parameter_estimates_for_lamb_survival_in_Romney_sheep
  26. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0301622675900342
  27. https://www.bigfridgeboy.com/en/blog/7717/australian-lamb-vs-new-zealand-lamb
  28. https://americanromney.org/about-romneys/dual-purpose/
  29. https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_b/B409/index.html
  30. https://www.ardg.co.nz/history.html
  31. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/10/920
  32. https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=New%20Zealand%20Sheep%20Production%20and%20Trends_Wellington_New%20Zealand_NZ2022-0020.pdf
  33. https://www.nzsap.org/system/files/proceedings/invited-review-review-current-sheep-industry-new-zealand-and-opportunities-change-meet-future.pdf
  34. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00288233.2010.500714
  35. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8923135/
  36. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921448820301851
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