Sheep of the Future
Sheep of the Future is a seven-year collaborative programme between Pāmu, our subsidiary Focus Genetics, and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Sheep of the Future
Sheep of the Future is a seven-year collaborative programme between Pāmu, our subsidiary Focus Genetics, and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). It’s designed to help New Zealand farmers adapt to shifting environmental conditions, evolving consumer expectations, and increasing compliance demands—without compromising performance or profitability.
At a time when traditional sheep farming faces mounting challenges—climate change, land use pressures, rising disease risk, and marginal wool returns—the programme offers a practical, science-backed path forward. At its core is a breeding flock based at Kapiro Station, a 3,000 hectares commercial Pāmu farm in Northland. The sub-tropical climate provides real-world testing conditions for heat, humidity, and disease pressure. The flock includes 2,000 mostly Romney-based ewes selected for productivity and facial eczema tolerance, alongside a 150-ewe control group for benchmarking.
Rams from a diverse mix of domestic and international breeds—including shedding and subtropical types—are being trialled for traits that could benefit New Zealand’s future farming systems. By building resilience into the sector, Sheep of the Future supports rural communities, national exports, and New Zealand’s reputation for ethical, sustainable agriculture.
Read more:
This seven-year, $10.5 million breeding programme aims to evolve New Zealand sheep flocks for resilience. The goal is to breed sheep suited for hotter, more humid summers, which naturally emit less methane and requires fewer inputs (like feed and drench), ultimately resulting in a smaller carbon hoofprint while maintaining key production attributes.