The Suffolk Breed

Suffolk Objectives  •  Description  •  History

The aim of the Suffolk Breed is to produce high yielding, quick maturing,
heavier weight lambs.

The following factors, not necessarily in order of importance, should be part of the selection criteria:-

• Recording system based on pedigree and performance with emphasis on weight gain, muscling, yield and reasonable leanness.

• Fertility with ewes not rearing at least one lamb a year to be culled except in exceptional weather conditions.

• Good size and muscling, but of a mature size which provides the most efficient
  conversion of feed.

• Wedge shape with fine shoulders but overall length.

• An alert but reasonable temperament.

• Ease of lambing.

• Ability to tolerate or resist internal parasites.

• Ability to breed as hogget's

• A good down type fleece free of britch and black spots

• Registered stud breeders are expected to put main emphasis on fundamental structural soundness and good genetics that are relative to successful commercial lamb production.

Information sourced from - "N.Z. Flock Book Vol' 97 - 2001 " published by Council of the N.Z.S.B.A.

The Suffolk evolved from the mating of Norfolk Horn ewes with Southdown rams in the area of Bury St Edmunds, England. These sheep were known as Southdown Norfolk's, or locally, as "Black faces".

Apparently the product of this cross was a great improvement over either one of the parents. Today's Suffolk derives its meatiness from the old original British Southdown.
The Norfolk Horned sheep, now rare, were a wild and hardy breed. They were black faced, light, fleeced sheep. Both sexes were horned.
The upland regions of Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridge on the southeastern coast of England are very rugged and forage is sparse. It was this dry, cold and windy area in which the Norfolk breed adapted itself to traveling great distances for food, thereby developing a superbly muscular body.
It was said at that time of the Norfolk Horned, "their limbs are long and muscular, their bodies are long and their general form indicates activity and strength." This breed and its crosses were valued highly both by farmers and butchers.
However, shepherds of that day did not like the long legs, flat sides, nor wild nature of the Norfolk Horned.
They noted that Southdown's crossed with Norfolk produced a progeny that reduced most of the criticisms of both breeds.
The first recording is in 1797, one Arthur Young stated; "These ought to be called the Suffolk breed, the mutton has superior texture, flavour, quantity and colour of gravy" in his "General view of Agriculture in the County of Suffolk".
By 1810 the Suffolk was a recognized breed.
Suffolk Sheep were first exhibited at the ( County of ) Suffolk Show in 1859.
In 1886, the English Suffolk Society was organized to provide registry service and to further develop the use of the breed.
In 1887, the first flock book was published. This contained 46 flocks ranging in size from 50 to 1,100 ewes and averaging 314 ewes. All 46 flocks were in East Anglia and 34 were in Suffolk itself. The oldest entry was  E.P. & H. Frost of West Wratting, established in 1810.

In 1913, George Gould, Canterbury, N.Z., imported one ram and six ewes from England.
Further imports from U.K. and Australia followed and by 1940 there were nine registered flocks.
The first Suffolk Sheep entry into the N.Z.S.B.A. Flock book was in 1914.
In 1940 - 9 Registered Flocks - 176 ewes
In 1980 - 290 Registered Flocks - 14,311 ewes
In 1993 - 232 Registered Flocks - 15,103 ewes

The breed has developed over the years to match consumer demands. Suffolks are now found throughout the world's sheep producing countries.  In N.Z. they are recognised as the leading terminal sire on a variety of ewes to produce the best quality prime lamb.

Information sourced from - England Suffolk Society - N.Z. Flock Book.