Suffolks came from crossing Southdown rams on Norfolk Horned ewes and legend has it that the resulting animal was a great improvement over either one of the parents.

Fertility, hardiness and activity were inherited from the Norfolk, and the excellent conformation came from the Southdown. Although originally known as ‘Blackfaces’, in 1859 the new breed was recognised by the Royal Agricultural Society of England and called ‘Suffolk’.  With an excellent lean meat ratio, large eye muscle, well muscled legs and succulent, well textured meat, Suffolks are now one of the world’s dominant sheep meat breeds.

Debbie and Brian Holmes have had Suffolks on their 20 acre Waiuku block for thirty years and in 2004 decided to go into pedigrees. “We sold off the commercial animals and have been concentrating on building the flock up,” Debbie said when Rural Living visited her recently.

Debbie has found the Suffolks to be alert, with little in the way of a dag problem, and lovely to look at. “Also we have found we get a market premium for the black face.”

Debbie puts her rams out early for early lambing – which helps with avoiding fly strike. “The lambs are away to the works early so we avoid the issue.” The rams and ewes are shorn at the beginning of November for the same reason. 

The Holmes find the breed to be even tempered, easily manageable and to respond quickly to handling. “Brian will start the tractor up and they’re running across to see where they are going.  Some are flighty – and they’re the first off to the works.  I cull strictly for that.  I want even tempered, medium sized sheep.”

The sheep market has been a challenge even for the Suffolk breeders of late but Debbie is not easily put off. “It is really hard selling rams at the moment, competing with a lot of people prepared to sell at a lower rate.  We’re trying to put quality on the market but the quantity is making things difficult.”

Brian and Debbie show their animals and have been fairly successful, winning Sheep of the Show three years running at the Kumeu show and in the second year of their stud, winning the Easter show.

If you are interested in Suffolks, Debbie suggests you:

1  Check their feet.  “They should be nice and straight, no slack pastons.”
2  Check their teeth. “Make sure they have some, if they haven’t they’re ready for the butcher.”
3  Make sure they are in good general condition.