MANGAPIRI DOWNS ORGANICSTUD FARM®

All Photos By Tim Gow

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NZ STUD FLOCK No. 2 ESTABLISHED 1990 BRED FOR HIGH FERTILITY, HARDY NATURAL IMMUNITY, RAPID GROWTH, LARGE LEAN LAMBS, FINE BULKYWOOL & LONGEVITY. "organicstud NZ MARSH White Headed Marsh originated in the North sea marshes of West Germany. It's beginnings can be traced back to the mid 1800's when North German Marsh sheep, the local milk sheep and imported British long wool breeds including the Cotswold were crossbred. The White Headed Marsh sheep bought to N.Z. were selected by Professor Coop (he developed the Coopworth breed), and imported by LAMBXL from Denmark. In 1990 we purchased 11 Stud White Headed Marsh ewes and 10 Stud Rams with a variety of blood lines from LAMBXL elite flock in the North Island. We were attracted to the potential of the White Headed Marsh , highly regarded in Europe. In Denmark and North Germany, the White Headed Marsh live outside in very wet and cold conditions. They are known for their hardy natural immunity, easy-care and excellent meat and wool. White Headed Marsh naturally lamb at 180% in Denmark . They are similar looking to Romney's or Coopworth's but much larger with meaty hind quarters and wide deep loins and rack ( the most valuable cuts ). Their wool is mainly in the 28 to 35 micron range, and bulky. In 1991 we put White Headed Marsh Rams over some of our ewes. The result was tall, large, fast growing lambs. Since then we have put Marsh Rams over all our main wool Flock ewes and we graded up to Purebred New Zealand Marsh. 1995 we bought another NZ Marsh stud of 9 ewes and 5 rams of completely different blood lines . In 1996 we faced up to the fact that the NZ Marsh is a much better breed of sheep for our organic farming than Romneys . So our Mangapiri Romney stud ewes were mated with stud Marsh Rams to breed up and grade up more Marsh ewes. Our Romney stud was established in 1980. It was sad to give up on the Romney but for so many years the breeds performance was based on chemical props. We made some progress adapting the Romney to organic farming but it was often a struggle. In 1998 we bought 8 ewes & 2 rams from another NZ Marsh Stud. We are quite amazed with the vigour , strength , fine wool and absence of dags with the Marsh lambs . The ewes are very fertile, and are good mothers with extremely high milk output . They have great longevity , we have productive ewes and rams over 10 years old. For Organic farming in our enviroment, Marsh seem to be superior and more productive than other long wool dual purpose breeds . From 2001 we mated all our commercial NZ Marsh ewes and recorded 1/2, 3/4 and some pure Marsh ewes to Bald Wiltshire rams to breed up a interesting new Bald strain of Wiltshire, from our Marsh base. This season we have Purebred NZ Marsh Rams for sale, some are transferable as Stud Rams. Purebred Ewes available at $390. plus gst. please phone for details. Benefit from 21 years of chemical free White Headed Marsh breeding.  PHONE 03 2255283 email tim@organic-rams.co.nz This entire website is © Copyright Tim and Helen Gow 1999---2009....... All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Authors. All images in this website are protected by copyright and may not be used by anyone for any purpose, except with the prior written consent of Tim & Helen Gow. Disclaimer While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this website is accurate. T & H Gow do not accept liability for any errors, omissions, misstatements, negligent or otherwise contained in this website. Nor do T & H Gow accept any liability for the results of any actions taken or not taken upon the basis of the information in this website. Those acting upon information and any recommendations contained in this website do so entirely at their own risk. mailto:tim@organic-rams.co.nz?subject=Organic%20Marsh%20RamsRAMS_ORDER_FORM.htmlshapeimage_3_link_0