Perendale History
The Perendale was evolved by Geoffrey Peren at Massey by crossing the best of the Romney with the best Cheviots. The modern Perendales are recognized as easy care sheep and for their high fertility. They produce heavy, lean well-muscled lambs, with great survival rates. From the point of view of easy lambing, they have a wither that is higher than the shoulder. The wool produced is in demand for high quality carpets and knitwear. Many farmers in the high country of New Zealand are now using Perendales, either crossing with traditional breeds or changing to pure bred Perendale flocks. Other farmers who have tried some of the exotic breeds have changed to Perendales with great success. Perendales have performed well in dressing percentage trials conducted in New Zealand. The easily fattened lambs are without rival for leanness of meat and absence of overfats. The medium-fine cross-bred wool is notable for its bulk which is quality likely to assume ever increasing importance in carpet and woolen trades. Perendale hogget wool consistently tops the cross-bred auction in New Zealand.
Put briefly, the Perendale offers above all EASY CARE which means effortless lambing, good mothering and survival, plus excellent fertility. Combined with this easy care characteristic is great mobility and hardiness. Importantly for our conditions they have moderate frame score. The Perendale breed today has been stabilized to become the ultimate dual purpose sheep in New Zealand and we believe will do so in our self-replacing maternal cross-bred flocks here in Australia. We have been using Perendale genetics for the last 3 years and for the present lambing at Chrome, using a number of Cheviot and Perendale Special Stud Sires purchased in New Zealand last year.
Cheviots - the other half
The first Cheviots imported to NZ from Scotland arrived in 1845. Early breeders found the Cheviot to be more vigorous, hardier and better suited to the conditions. In 1938, Geoffrey Peren, Principal of Massey Agricultural College, recognized the potential of Cheviots and instigated trials to properly evaluated them. The results of the Massey trials were spectacular and demand for this breed rapidly increased. These trials resulted in the forming of a new breed which suited the hill country. Subsequently, Massey leaders were moved to state that "As a prime lamb sire, the Cheviot is unsurpassed". The popularity of the breed has surged in recent years, particularly as a hogget sire where farmers have received at least 20% more lambs than any other breed trialed. Cheviot lambs have a high survival rate, as their low birth weight makes for easier lambing and their vigor results in rapid growth and fast maturity. The small birth weight makes the Cheviot an ideal ram for those wishing to mate their hoggets. The most common comment about the Cheviot is "They produce more vigorous faster growing lambs and higher lambing percentages even in harsher conditions".
1yo Cheviot Rams imported from New Zealand