The first first major decision which led the group to being one jump ahead was the formation of the New Zealand Romney development group in 1969. This was the first time in the world that a group of sheep breeders, with the advise of Professor Al Rae of Massey university, co-operated to form a group breeding scheme. The 21 members from throughout New Zealand identified their most productive ewes from a base of more than 100,000 sheep. A nucleus flock of elite ewes was farmed in Hawkes Bay from which stud rams were bred and subsequently used back in members flocks.

In 1988 the Southern Romney Development Group became a separate group of sheep breeders. The group had been using the best sires in the country but it was time to concentrate on breeding sheep for the South Island without the worry of facial eczema. Some North Island rams have been used through artificial insemination since 1988. There is evidence to show that our own South Island bred rams perform as well as any from the North Island. This is certainly the case with higher lambing percentage.