Ancient sheep seek modern owners

The many rare breeds at the sale will offer a trip through the history of sheep breeding. Photo / Christine McKay

The exotic sheep sale at Brian Hales' Wimbledon farm this Sunday has attracted many outside entries of rare and exotic breeds.

These include arapawa, damara, gotland, wiltshire, milking sheep sires and a line of black coopworth ewes.

"In addition to these entries, I will be offering lines from my arapawa, pitt, assaf, jacob and karakul flocks," Mr Hales said.

"The Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand is giving the event full support as they want to see small flocks of these breeds established throughout the country to ensure their survival and to promote the strength of these sheep.

"Exotic breeds possess unique attributes which have been used to create our modern commercial flocks," he said.

"Sir Geoffrey Peren at Massey University and Professor Ian Coop used these unique attributes to breed perendales and coopworths, modern composite breeds."

The society hoped to retain these original breeds for future development, if needed.

"While modern-day breeds have a very short history, some of the exotic breeds date back to early human civilisation," Mr Hales said.

"The karakul is the oldest breed of sheep known to man. All breeds of sheep originate from the karakul and several of these ancient breeds will be on sale on Sunday."

In addition to meat, most exotic sheep possess additional commercial attributes of milk, fibre, pelts or horns.

Sheep milking is now an established industry and while fibre production has limited market value, it is keenly sought after by those in cottage industries, who will pay up to $40 a kilogram to obtain the unique fibre.

"Farming exotic sheep is not an easy way out," Mr Hales said. "But the challenge has wonderful rewards through producing something steeped in history; ancient, yet unique.

"In line with the wishes of the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand, I will be offering three karakul ewes [three-quarter bred] and one pure-bred karakul ram.

"I will have a reserve of $200 on the ewes and $400 on the ram. I hope someone is prepared to accept the challenge and enjoy the rewards that follow."

- Wimbledon exotic sheep sale, Sunday 11am to 2pm. The sale uses blackboard bidding.