The Raglan Romney feral sheep were sourced from a bush-
and scrub-covered peninsula jutting into the eastern side of Raglan Harbor in
the Waikato, New Zealand.
The first group of two rams and four ewes was mustered in
April 1976; eight ewes were added in December of that same year. (The peninsula
was subsequently cleared of bush - and sheep - and broken in for farming.)
The descendants of this small flock remained in the care of
Government farms since that time until mid-2005. Apart from a few rams that
were released to one breeder for use in grading up, a carefully controlled
breeding program was undertaken over that period to retain the genetic purity
of the line.
Raglan Sheep are relatively small, and although they most
closely resemble early Romney imports, some animals show a resemblance to the
Cheviot in their arched noses and lack of wool on the poll.
Content and Photo Source: New Zealand Rare
Breeds (www.rarebreeds.co.nz).
About Raglan Romney Sheep
