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Bred to thrive on drier, easier South Island hill country, the Corriedale was New Zealand’s
first distinct indigenous breed. Pioneered by James Little, manager of Corriedale Station in North Otago,
the Corriedale emerged in 1868 by mating rams of British longwool breeds to Merino ewes and interbreeding
the progeny. Lincoln and English Leicester rams were used mainly, but Romney and Border Leicester also
served as sires to the initial half-breeds. Interbred selections produced a dual-purpose sheep with
a good heavy fleece.
The Corriedale was recognised as an “inbred halfbred” in the Sheep Breeders’ Association
Flock Book in 1906. It has enjoyed continued popularity as a dual-purpose breed and has found favour
with overseas breeders who look to New Zealand to provide top quality replacement stock. New Zealand
Corriedales have provided the foundation of flocks in Australia, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, China and
elsewhere.
The wool is used for medium-weight outer garments, worsteds, light tweeds and hand-knitting yarns.
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Classification:
Dual-purpose breed with equal emphasis on meat and wool. Medium
to fine wool with well-defined lock and pronounced and even crimp. Lambs have good length of carcase
and muscling.
Found:
Mainly throughout Canterbury with some in Otago and Marlborough on drier
lowland, and in the drier parts of the North Island.
Description:
Medium-sized sheep with white face and legs and black nose. They
usually have some wool on the face and a well-covered poll.
Numbers:
2.8 million
Body weight:
Ewes: 65–80 kg
Rams: 85–105 kg
Wool production:
Fibre diameter: 28–33 microns
Staple length: 75–125
mm
Fleece weight: 4.5–6.5 kg
Lamb production:
90–130 per cent
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