South Suffolk
South Suffolks at the Royal Show October 2016
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Origin & History
The South Suffolk first appeared in New Zealand during the 1930s in response to an overseas demand for leaner meat.
It is a New Zealand breed developed in Canterbury by a Southdown stud breeder, Mr George Gould, who was also responsible for the introduction of Suffolks to the country. Gould wanted a specialist breed to meet the requirements of a price schedule for prime lamb cuts which carried penalties for too much fat. The quick maturity and carcase shape of the Southdown and high flesh-to-fat ratio of the Suffolk were incorporated.
The South Suffolk became a registered breed in 1955 and is increasingly being used as a terminal sire for prime lamb production. Its high yielding carcase makes it ideal for further processing. The Down wool is used for fine apparels and hand knitting yarns.
South Suffolk Carcasses
These lamb carcasses all by South Suffolk Rams
Average weight of 22.35kg
Breed Description
- Produce early maturing lambs. Drafts of 16kg carcasses or better being achieved at 12 weeks of age
- Produce lambs that have the ability to grow into heavier weights within the grading requirements
- Produce a higher yielding animal ideally suited to the cutting trade
- Produce South Suffolk cross lambs that are easily identified as terminal progeny
- Produce lambs which are adaptable and perform in all climatic conditions.
South Suffolk Ewes
SOUTH SUFFOLKS - LEADING THE WAY
Breed Classification
A large, comparatively heavy meat breed. Rams are used as terminal sires for cross-breeding for early prime lamb production.
Location: On all types of country throughout NZ in stud and commercial flocks.
| Bodyweight | Wool |
|
Ewes: 65-90 kg Rams: 90-120 kg |
Short, fine, Down type. Fibre diameter: 27-33 microns. Staple length: 75-100 mm Fleece weight: Range 3-4 kg Average 3.5 kg Uses: apparel and knitting yarns. |
| Meat | |
|
High yielding carcase, ideal for further processing. |
|
| Breeding/Lambing | |
|
130-160 percent |
|
| Numbers | |
|
94,000 |
Buy & Sell
CLICK HERE FOR THE SOUTH SUFFOLK SHEEP SALES PAGE
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