Hildreth Romneys is a multigenerational Hawke’s Bay stud focused on breeding resilient, productive sheep suited to New Zealand’s diverse conditions. With more than 60 years of Romney breeding behind them, the Hildreth family continues to prioritise key traits like fertility, survival, growth, and tolerance to facial eczema and worms.

In this episode, stud breeder Marcus Hildreth joins Jo Scott to discuss how genetics, data, and emerging tools such as AI are helping lift flock performance. He also shares insights on the growing interest in Wiltshires; why he’s keeping the breed pure, and how technology and time remain the most powerful drivers of genetic progress.

 

Guest:
Marcus Hildreth, Stud Breeder, Hildreth Romneys

Host:
Jo Scott, Genetic Specialist, Targeted Breeding

 

Marcus Hildreth is the third generation behind Hildreth Romneys, a family run Hawke’s Bay stud with more than 60 years of breeding history. From their hill country property, the Hildreths are focused on producing reliable, resilient Romneys that perform under pressure while tackling industry challenges like facial eczema and worm burden through genetics rather than management alone.

Marcus explains how the stud’s breeding priorities have evolved to balance fertility, survival and growth with traits for parasite resistance, and how new tools from SIL data to AI assisted analysis are helping identify top performers faster. He also shares why he’s expanding into Wiltshires; the growing demand for low input sheep, and why steady, measurable genetic progress built on quality and time remains the foundation of the stud’s success.

 

Find out more about Hildreth Romneys on their website here.

 

Become a CountryWide Club member for $89/year for six seasonal magazines including free postage (New Zealand only) annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/ 

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Hildreth Romneys is a multigenerational Hawke&rsquo;s Bay stud focused on breeding resilient, productive sheep suited to New Zealand&rsquo;s diverse conditions. With more than 60 years of Romney breeding behind them, the Hildreth family continues to prioritise key traits like fertility, survival, growth, and tolerance to facial eczema and worms.
In this episode, stud breeder Marcus Hildreth joins Jo Scott to discuss how genetics, data, and emerging tools such as AI are helping lift flock performance. He also shares insights on the growing interest in Wiltshires; why he&rsquo;s keeping the breed pure, and how technology and time remain the most powerful drivers of genetic progress.
&nbsp;
Guest:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Marcus Hildreth, Stud Breeder, Hildreth Romneys</li>
</ul>
Host:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Jo Scott, Genetic Specialist, Targeted Breeding</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Marcus Hildreth is the third generation behind Hildreth Romneys, a family run Hawke&rsquo;s Bay stud with more than 60 years of breeding history. From their hill country property, the Hildreths are focused on producing reliable, resilient Romneys that perform under pressure while tackling industry challenges like facial eczema and worm burden through genetics rather than management alone.
Marcus explains how the stud&rsquo;s breeding priorities have evolved to balance fertility, survival and growth with traits for parasite resistance, and how new tools from SIL data to AI assisted analysis are helping identify top performers faster. He also shares why he&rsquo;s expanding into Wiltshires; the growing demand for low input sheep, and why steady, measurable genetic progress built on quality and time remains the foundation of the stud&rsquo;s success.
&nbsp;
Find out more about Hildreth Romneys on their website <a href="https://hildrethromneys.co.nz/">here</a>.
&nbsp;
Become a CountryWide Club member for $89/year for six seasonal magazines including free postage (New Zealand only) annually:<a href="https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/"> https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://country-wide.co.nz/sign-up/">SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE INSIDER WEEKLY EMAIL</a>

SHEEP Country

SHEEP Country, hosted by genetics specialist Jo Scott, brings you New Zealand’s most inspiring stories and technical insights with the aim of breeding and farming the world’s best sheep.

Jo speaks with stud breeders, commercial farmers and industry leaders across the value chain, from genetic innovation and animal health through to wool, meat marketing and farm systems, arming you with the best knowledge from behind and beyond the farm gate.

SHEEP Country is produced by the Proud Country Network, owned by CountryWide Media, and complements the annual SHEEP Country magazine released every year in September.

SHEEP Country, hosted by genetics specialist Jo Scott, brings you New Zealand&rsquo;s most inspiring stories and technical insights with the aim of breeding and farming the world&rsquo;s best sheep.
Jo speaks with stud breeders, commercial farmers and industry leaders across the value chain, from genetic innovation and animal health through to wool, meat marketing and farm systems, arming you with the best knowledge from behind and beyond the farm gate.
SHEEP Country is produced by the Proud Country Network, owned by CountryWide Media, and complements the annual SHEEP Country magazine released every year in September.