Norfolk Island’s remote South Pacific location creates a tight-knit community with rich agricultural heritage, but island living brings unique challenges. The local sheep herd has faced serious decline due to changes to the biosecurity legislation which aimed to maintain the pristine environment. These changes prevented the importation of ruminants, threatening both food security and cultural identity for this resilient island community.
Without genetic diversity, Norfolk’s sheep population faced an uncertain future. Declining flock numbers and limited breeding options presented significant risks to the island’s agricultural sustainability and traditional way of life.
The Solution
When Norfolk Island farmers approached Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast about their dwindling sheep flocks, their passionate advocacy sparked an agricultural rescue mission that caught stakeholder attention.
In February 2025, the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts approved grant funding for an innovative partnership between Norfolk Island farmers, RDA Mid North Coast, Holbrook Breeders, and TattyKeel.
Advanced Technology Meets Traditional Farming
The groundbreaking solution introduces premium Australian White sheep genetics through cutting-edge embryo transfer technology. This sophisticated process involves:
- Collecting embryos from the highly sought after Australian White ewes on the mainland, renowned for exceptional meat quality and hardiness
- Carefully implanting embryos into synchronised Norfolk Island recipient ewes
- Precise timing requirements with recipients carrying pregnancies to full term
Two embryo transfer rounds are scheduled across 2025 and 2026, with the first round already underway. November 2025 will be the first turning point for Norfolk’s sheep raising future, where they will be welcoming new lambs onto the Island from a potential 32 implants.
We look forward to sharing updates with you as the project progresses.