46 | Nearly a century of breeding Romneys Rather than chasing short-term trends, Waimai has consistently focused on traits that deliver lasting commercial relevance. Alexia Anderson Nestled among the Te Akau hills, the Waimai Romney stud stands proud, showcasing nearly a century of breeding focused on resilience, efficiency, and consistent performance. Operated by Alastair and Ann Reeves, Waimai Romney is a purpose-built breeding operation set in demanding hill country conditions. While scale plays its part, it is the stud’s clarity of breeding focus that truly defines Waimai, producing sheep that are robust, efficient, and capable of delivering consistent results for commercial farmers. Central to that focus is the philosophy of “low input and high production”, Alastair says. “In practical terms, this means breeding sheep that require less intervention, fewer treatments, and less work, while still delivering strong production, focused on growth, fertility, and lamb survival.” For hill-country farmers, where terrain, climate, and labour availability can quickly erode margins, this balance is not just desirable, it is essential, he says. Waimai believes the future of sheep farming lies in animals that work with their environment, not against it, and maximise profit. The Te Akau climate is known for its high winter rainfall and dry summers, with parasites and toxins putting pressure on sheep systems, leaving little room for genetically fragile sheep. Decades of farming under these conditions have enforced disciplined selection, with sheep that cannot cope simply removed from the breeding programme. This natural pressure has reinforced a philosophy that prioritises resilience first, with performance built on top of that foundation, Alastair says. Waimai Romney’s history dates back to 1932 when John Reeves, Alastair’s father, started the stud, and his legacy continues to influence how the stud operates today. Long-term thinking, careful record-keeping, and a willingness to invest in genetics that may take years to show full value have been passed down through generations. Rather than chasing short-term trends, Waimai has consistently focused on traits that deliver lasting commercial relevance for New Zealand sheep farmers. One of the clearest examples of this thinking was the early commitment to facial eczema (FE) tolerance, driven by John at a time when the trait was neither fashionable or widely supported. In an area where FE posed serious production and animal welfare risks, genetic resilience was seen as a better solution than chemical reliance, even if it required patience and conviction. Forty years on, FE tolerance is deeply embedded within the flock, contributing to longevity, reproductive consistency, and reduced health interventions, and has become a cornerstone of the stud’s reputation. Waimai is one of only a handful of breeders to hold both FeGold and WormFec Gold accreditation, RURAL PEOPLE » Waimai Romneys reflecting rigorous selection standards and proven performance under real-world conditions. For commercial farmers, this translates into sheep with measurable tolerance to facial eczema and improved resilience to internal parasites - traits that reduce drench reliance, labour demands, and production risk. 07 825 4805 / 07 826 3666 office@teakautransport.nz Livestock - Fertiliser - Aglime - Metal - Animal Feed Richard Seavill & BYL Livestock are proud to work alongside Waimai Romneys Call Richard Seavill for all your livestock requirements Ph: 021 169 8276 Email: richard@byl.co.nz www.byllivestock.co.nz SHEEP & BEEF I REPLACEMENT STOCK I BULLS I WORKS STOCK I VALUATIONS “Maximising your return through personal livestock management”
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