50g Sheep

Flock of Sheep

Code: NZSH

New Zealand Sheep

In the last two decades the sheep population has declined from 70 million to around 40 million. New Zealand is a major exporter of sheep meat, accounting for about 53% of the world export trade.

New Zealand wool is noted for length and colour, relative absence of vegetable matter and high yield. The wools are coarse and strong, yet high quality.

New Zealand sheep are largely dual-purpose wool/meat animals and their wool is predominantly strong. New Zealand is the world's largest producer of crossbred (strong) wool. Most wool is shorn from live sheep, sometimes twice a year. A unique New Zealand shearing style, emphasising economy of effort, has been developed and is imitated throughout the world.