This is the official website of The Southdown Sheep Society of New Zealand (INCORPORATED)
The Registered Office of the Society is situated in Feilding. [contact details]
Association History
The first Southdown stud flock in New Zealand was founded in 1863, and almost 150 years on the breed is still a proven champion despite many changes along the way.
The Southdown Society was formed in 1926 after becoming strong enough in its own right to move away from the Sheepbreeders Association where it had been a founding breed in 1894 with 5 flocks. However 22 Southdown flocks did not transfer to the new Society until 1934. [read more … coming soon]
How the Southdown Society Operates
Any person who has an interest in Southdowns may become a member of the Society by signifying to the Council his/ her desire to become a member, and who shall be proposed by some existing member of the Society, shall, on approval by the Council, be admitted as a member, and entered on the Register of Members.
The Southdown Society is managed by a Council which consists of 10 members spread across NZ. The President and Vice-President are elected on an annual basis. If you wish to know more about joining the Southdown Society, please contact the Society office or a breeder or councillor in your area and they will be only too pleased to help.
The Role of the Southdown Sheep
The role of the Southdown breed in New Zealand is to supply rams for mating with ewes of a number of breeds and crosses to produce lambs for local and overseas consumers. The progeny of Southdown rams grow rapidly and comply with the modern requirements within the meat industry at all weights.
The Southdown breed has contributed substantially to the export meat trade. New Zealand’s reputation, as the major international trader in lamb, has been made through the use of the Southdown ram. The demand for the Southdown cross lamb remains high because of its size, muscle development and meat quality.