28 | Romney stud looking forward to sale Ian started the Glen Leith Romney Stud in 1964, introducing Australian blood in 2013. Rosa Watson RURAL PEOPLE » Glen Leith Maniototo sheep breeders Glen Leith are gearing up for strong ram sale at the end of the year with Romney and Dorset stud rams available in its upcoming December sale. The farm, located near Patearoa in Central Otago is run by Janine Smith and her partner Simon Norwick. The stud is managed by Janine and her sister Margo Hall, who farms on the neighbouring property. They carry out recording, monitoring, selecting and showing of the stud sheep together - the highlight being three days away at the Canterbury Show in Christchurch in November. At the last show their one shear ram was champion in a big class of quality sheep. Janine says it’s always rewarding to be placed at the show as the southern-most Romney exhibitor competing against Canterbury breeders. “The main breeding trait of Glen Leith Romneys has always been the wool. Side samples of lambs, hoggets and two-tooths are tested by Don Morrison, of PML. “The focus is to ensure the coarse edge stays low and medullation is zero. Sheep are also selected on the whiteness and lustre of their wool,” Janine says. The ewes produce wool under 34 microns, while the finest of the lambs’ wool is as low as 26 and an average of 29 microns. Janine says the price of Romney wool is “definitely heading in the right direction”, giving people more confidence. But there is a lot of catching up to do, Janine says. She says its reputation is how word spreads about the stud. “People have used the Glen Leith Rams for a long time.” Glen Leith is one of a number of breeders in the lower part of the South Island that carry out testing and share test results. Nine breeders put a selection of their ram hoggets through the scanner at Lincoln University to monitor the meat yield, being a dual-purpose breed. “So, we’re not just testing wool, we’re also testing the carcass return. “There’s a lot of testing that goes on with, with the Romneys, just to make sure that it’s competing.” She says the biggest challenge for ram breeders is reduction in capital stock nationally. “The numbers dramatically lessened in the last 18 months, and that will probably be the biggest concern for ram breeders.” She says this may come back if the lamb price stays high. “But it takes a long time to build up your flock of good breeding ewes again.” Janine and Simon took over Glen Leith from her father, Ian Smith, in 2016. Today there are 160 Romney stud ewes and 160 unregistered Dorset Down stud ewe. The upcoming sale takes place on the first Friday in December at Ranfurly and Janine says the high wool score rams are sought after, particularly by half-bred breeders. “I’m pretty fortunate that I’m surrounded by some very reputable flocks of merino sheep, and so that’s really where the top end of my Romneys end up.” Buyers travel from as far as Canterbury to the sale. Janine says the rams are looking good considering the challenging Autumn conditions this year. “We had a hard autumn, so winter crop hasn’t been amazing. I would say they’re a little bit behind where they should be, but we’ve had plenty of moisture, so there’ll be a good start to spring. “(The studs) don’t get anything special ... they just have to have to make do around here. That’s part of farming in the Maniototo with limited irrigation.” Ian started the Glen Leith Romney Stud in 1964, introducing Australian blood in 2013 to make the wool finer and whiter. Today the farm carries a total of 800 sheep, backed up by a herd of 30 mostly Hereford breeding cows. Recently they have been exporting genetic straws to Northern America that have been well received. Some of the offspring has made its way to Canada, Janine says. “It was, logistically quite challenging and really expensive for the importer, but (we’re) really thrilled to see some of the Glen Leith line now into Northwest America, and now Canada as well. “They have a very strong craft industry. “They’re getting really good prices for their wool. Janine is looking forward to getting stuck into lambing, and with good scanning results, it will be a busy time. “Hopefully, hopefully, El Nino won’t be too severe.” “We’re really thrilled to see some of the Glen Leith line now into Northwest America, and now Canada as well.” TOUGH, SOUND, MEATY, TERMINAL RAMS THAT LAST. Fully SIL recorded. Available for sale at the beginning of November. Guy & Fi Martin - 219 Carters Rd, Lincoln | 027 538 3741 | guy@icl.org.nz SALEDATE: Friday 4 December 2026 - Ranfurly
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