The Ile de France breed was established in France based on the Rambouillet and Mauchamp Merino breeds. It is a very thick set, highly muscled sheep with mid micron white wool with thick pelts free of pigmentation. It is regarded internationally as having one of the longest breeding seasons of all commercial sheep breeds and is widely used as both a terminal and maternal sire.
All the genetics at Ile de France NZ have been imported from the Belmore flock in Victoria Australia which sourced their stock from South Africa. The initial semen imports in 2008 were used in extensive trials over one of New Zealand’s largest fully performance recorded Romney studs. Full comparative evaluation for all traits have been calculated using Sheep Improvement Ltd. and all male progeny slaughtered in conjunction with the Central Progeny Test by AgResearch Ltd. to evaluate carcass parameters compared to top sires of other terminal and maternal breeds.
Ile de France sires have proven to offer significant production gains.
Ile de France sires offer farmers with strong woolled breeds an opportunity to produce cross bred ewe progeny with extended breeding season without reducing lambing percentage and male lambs which will dress out over 50% with carcass yield equivalent to improved terminal breeds in NZ.
Ile de France sires offer Merino and other fine wool growers an opportunity to produce cross bred ewes with fine wool capable of “Smartwool” and “Icebreaker” contracts coupled with enhanced maternal traits especially survival, with growth and carcass yield equal to improved terminal breeds.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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