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The Finnsheep is an ancient breed, native to Finland, also known by the names of Finnish Landrace
or Finn. It is one of several North European short-tailed Landrace breeds. They were imported into New
Zealand in the 1980s by LambXL and Sheepac, largely because of their high fertility.
As part of a composite, high fecundity ewe breed, the NZ Finn gives an immediate lift in lambing
percentage. Its fertility genes are stable and major increases in lamb production can be achieved in
first cross animals. The fecundity of NZ Finns is a genetic trait maintained in most European short
tailed sheep, which responds to feed input.
NZ Finn animals have a long lean carcase. A proportion of Finn genes within a composite ewe breed
will generally decrease fatness in lamb carcases, a desirable trait.
NZ Finn wool is of medium fineness with high lustre. NZ Finns have been crossed with the Merino resulting
in a heavier fleece, higher yield with very little loss in micron.
They are sexually precocious and will 'cycle' for several months longer than our standard British
breeds. Most NZ Finn cross hoggets will be able to be successfully mated, thus increasing productive
efficiency.
It is a browser rather than a grazer and is ideal for cleaning up rough blocks.
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Classification:
Active. Highly fertile. Very good mothering ability. Highly resistant
to facial eczema. Used in cross-breeding programmes with traditional sheep breeds to produce half-bred
sheep with increased flock fertility and resistance to facial eczema. Being fine-woolled it may eventually
become recognised as a useful dual-purpose breed.
Found:
The breed is found in a wide range of climatic conditions throughout Bodyweight
New Zealand.
Description:
Polled. White face. Pink nose. Very little wool on poll. Fleece
white and lustrous. Long-bodied and long-legged. No wool on legs. White hooves.
Numbers:
Under 5,000
Body weight:
Ewes: 50–70 kg
Rams: 66–93 kg
Wool production:
Fibre diameter About 27 microns
Staple length 75–125
mm
Fleece weight 2.5–4 kg
Lamb production:
175–250 per cent. Long breeding season.
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