Wiltshire Sheep - Self Shearing Sheep

History

The New Zealand Wiltshire is a descendant of the British Wiltshire Horn. In NZ. breeders have mainly concentrated their efforts into the development of a polled (no horns) Wiltshire strain. There are a few breeders maintaining nucleus flocks of Wiltshire Horn.

Advantages

Owing to poor wool prices there is now a revival for the Wiltshire breed as more farmers turn away from wool to low cost lamb production.

The fact that Wiltshires do not have to be shorn, do not have dags & have in normal situations a near 200% lambing coupled with a high growth rate have added to their appeal.

  • Wiltshires are characterised by the absence of wool on the head, belly & crutch.
  • They don't have dags & appear to be resistant to fly strike & other parasites.
  • The pure Wiltshire has only a very short light fleece which peels off them in spring
  • The ewes are good mothers with ample milk to rear their young.
  • They have black feet and nose.
  • Body weight Ewes: 65 - 80kg
  • Rams: 85 -120kg

The Wiltshires ability to shed their wool & survive in hot arid environments coupled with a large carcase has given rise to a potentially unlimited & lucrative export market.

In past years Wiltshires have been exported to Fiji, Malaysia, Central & South America & Middle East where they have been used to increase the size & productivity of the indigenous sheep.

In recent years Orchardists, Organic farmers, small block farmers etc have recognized the Wiltshire breed as very suited to their environments.

In Summary:
  • Reduced Cost:
  • Reduced labour
    • no crutching
    • no dags
    • less hoof problems
    • little or no flystrike
    • no bearings in flock to date (Arvidson wiltshires)
  • Lower cash expenses : 
    • Lower vet bills
    • Lower costs. eg. Flystrike pour on
  • Increased Income:
    • Higher lambing percentage
    • High weight gain
    • Lean Carcass
    • Attracting top payments
Contacts

Wiltshire Breeders:-

  • Inger and Grant Keymer, RD1, Russell, Bay of Islands. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • David Arvidson:  11 Margan Place, Papakura,  Ph. 09 296 0597  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Carolyn Lewis and Steve Bluett, Matangi Wiltshires, 07 855 6463 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • John Earney: Avonstour, RD25 Stratford, Ph. 06 762 7992
  • Tim Gow: Mangapiri Downs, Blackmount, RD2 Otautau, Ph. 03 225 5283  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Bill Harvie: Nenthorn, RD3 Palmerston, Ph. 03 465 1343  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Brian & Jackie Ingram: Wilingram Wiltshires 09 411 8986 email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Anne Kiddie: Amhurst Wiltshires 09 420-5124 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Gary McCarthy: 10 Baird Ave, Te Kauwhata, Waikato. Ph: 07 826 4483 or 0274710643 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Lyle Millar: Moyola Farm, RD Waimana, Ph. 07 312 3221  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Gary Morley: 48 Paki Paki Rd, RD4, Hastings,Ph 06-8782057 or 0272482846, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • John Morrison: Ardo Farm, RD2 Marton, Ph. 06 327 7359  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Allan Richardson: Heriot, RD 2 Tapanui, Ph.03 204 2134  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Bill Strickland: RD1 Waipukarau, Ph. 06 855 8461   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Martin Taylor: Glenbrae, 1019 Mangaorapa Road, Porangahau, Ph. 06 855 5322,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Bev Trowbridge: Muriwai Valley Farm, RD 1 Warkworth, Ph. 09 422 5257 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it