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The Borderdale is a New Zealand breed developed in the 1930s from crossing Border Leicester with
the Corriedale. Since the 1970s, further interbreeding has strengthened the strain. Evolved for fertile
dry areas of the South Island, the Borderdale excels in producing meat and wool on light or irrigated
pastures and in rolling hill country.
Strict breeding criteria emphasise high lambing, wool weights and good far-lamb hindquarters. A mandatory
culling of 30 per cent is required in the ewe flock and 20 per cent in the ram selections.
The wool is a fine crossbreed type and is finding increasing favour with home spinners. Commercially,
it is used in hand-knitting yarns and in heavy weight apparels.
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Classification:
Longwool, dual-purpose bred with equal emphasis on meat and wool.
Medium-fine crossbred-type wool with emphasis on wool weight. Large, lean prime lambs with long carcase
and good fat-lamb hindquarters.
Found:
Mainly in Canterbury on improved or irrigated pastures.
Description:
Medium-to-large sheep with white face and legs clear of wool, although the poll is usually covered.
Numbers:
516,000
Body weight:
Ewes: 55–70 kg
Rams: 73-95 kg
Wool production:
Fibre diameter: 33–36 microns
Staple length 100–150
mm
Fleece weight 4.5–6 kg
Lamb production:
120–160 per cent
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