Farm profile
Introduction
Rosedale is located on 600 hectares(1500 acres) of Waikaka Valleys rolling hills in Southland, New Zealand. Situated midway between the Blue Mountains and Hokonui Hills 60 kms north of Invercargill, 8000 su are farmed along with 150 hectares of cereal crop. The climate is temperate with an average annual rainfall of 1000mm.
Current Production
Lambing performance is over 140% from 4000 commercial romney ewes wintered at a stocking rate of 7.2su/acre, and over 155% from 1500 stud/performance recorded ewes. Since 1995 wool production has averaged 7.95kg/su (8.85 inc.slipe) and lamb killing weights over 16kg. Production in every trait is rising
History
Settled in 1875 by William Cumming of Banffshire, Scotland, the Rosedale property passed to his nephew George Morrison in 1901. Four succesive generations have continued to farm the Rosedale property.
Three generations of Rosedale Romney farmers.
Stud History
George's son, Les Morrison founded the Rosedale Romney stud in 1928 with the sole aim of breeding high production commercial sheep. A lifetime involvement with Stud Romney sheep saw Les rewarded with Life Membership of the NZ Romney Association. Management of the Rosedale flock passed to son George on Les's retirement and subsequently to grandsons Donald and Andrew.
Breeding Objectives
Easy care lambing from a high fertility base is paramount, a solid deep carcass typifies the type of Romney we regard as necessary for both lamb growth and ewe flushing, and having twice won the Golden Fleece of New Zealand we have always placed emphasis on wool production.
"Five generations of Morrisons have farmed the Rosedale property over the last 125 years and it is with a sense of pride that we recognise the developments made to the property and livestock over that period. More than 70 years since Les Morrison founded the Rosedale Stud we still farm with the main aim of breeding high production commercial sheep."
- Donald Morrison