Ross, Wendy and Damien Humphrey

The Brookfield Romney flock is now run in partnership with Michael and Vicky Cottrill at Taihape. This 1600 acre property is at Omatane 20km south east of Taihape and is a medium/steep hill country block which can be very wet in winter but also very dry in summer. So it is a good testing ground for the constitution of the elite ewe flock and any ewe's which struggle are culled. 

The ewes are unshepherded at lambing and lambs tagged and docked at 14 to 17 days old. The lambs are weighed at weaning and then again at the end of February after which the high index one's are brought back to the Manawatu and are then grazed on David and Helen Worsfold's Ridge Road property which is regarded as the hardest land in the Manawatu  over the late Autumn and Winter. This environment is a good test and only those who can thrive on limited food on steep country are retained. 

The ewe flock stays at Taihape for their entire life. Fertility is very important and the entire flock will normally scan around 185% .The ewe flock is medium sized,very clear faced, good bone with great depth and width.  After ten years of progeny trials for growth with high meat yield the sires are very solid meat animals. 

All ewe hoggets are mated to Top Romney ram hoggets and this has really improved the rate of genetic gain. There is a parasite programme in place with Carla testing and drench withholding. This all produces Romney sheep which can look after themselves.