December 12, 2016 -- Before my sabbatical, I hadn't thought of New Zealand as being a producer of ultra fine wool and Merino sheep. I associated the country mostly with Romney-type sheep and long (coarse) wool and meat production. But on the South Island, there are high country sheep stations that produce fine wool. The long, dry summers and cold winters of the Southern Alps are conductive to the production of high quality fiber. About 10 percent of New Zealand's sheep population is Merino.
New Zealand's High Country
Ram Stud
We visited the Earnscleugh Station (in Central Otago) in the High Country. According to an internet source, Earnscleugh was founded in 1988 and encompasses 22,000 hectares. It is a beef and sheep operation with 25,000 sheep and over 1000 cattle. They were/are a stud farm, selling rams and bulls. Nowadays, they're very focused on their carbon footprint.
Shearing Shed
About 10% of New Zealand's sheep population is Merino.
Merino ewe with rare twins
Merino rams
Proprietor Alistair Campbell
Earnscleugh was the first Merino stud in New Zealand to use breeding values. The owner (pictured above) gave us an outstanding tour of his farm. He spent a lot of time with us.
Merino ram
Greener pastures
Cattle in the High Country
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