Lessons from New Zealand Sheep Production

New Zealand's sheep industry has seen a 49% decline in flock numbers since 1990, yet productivity has risen 56% per hectare. Key drivers include a 30% increase in lambing rate, 35% higher carcass weight, and an 89% rise in kg/ewe mated. Despite average lambing rates of 1.27, the top 15% of flocks exceed 2.0, with 40% producing triplets. Lamb survival remains a focus, with losses at 5–8% for singles, 15–18% for twins, and 30% for triplets. The industry emphasizes social licence to operate and market-driven practices, with insights shared at the SheepNet European Knowledge Exchange.