Proud moment for Perendale breeder

Press, 9 October 1987, Page 31

Proud moment for Perendale breeder

One of the proudest moments in 32 years of Perendale . breeding for Pat Parkinson was being told his fleeces were among the best in the world. Earlier this year he won two firsts and a second, including allbreeds champion, in the international section of a wool show in California. It was devotion to the breed that helped a farmer from Kaituna Valley take on breeders from the rest of the world and win. “They are a beautiful sheep, even just to look at, and their wool is wonderful,” he said. Mr Parkinson was the first on Banks Peninsula to run Perendales. He started with Romneys and brought in Cheviot rams in 1955 to cross breed and produce his first Perendales. It was then the only way to start a Perendale flock.

He embarked upon a rigid breeding programme that ensured his Perendales had backgrounds of 50 per cent Cheviot and. 50 per cent Romney. The sheep flourished on his steep 271 ha property, which climbs from 180 m to 1890 m, and he soon sold off his remaining Romneys. Now he uses his own Perendale rams and occasionally brings in a stud ram. “If you are going to have Perendales, have Perendales. Don’t cross them with anything else,” he said. “It is a 365 day job. You have got to be with them all the time. You have to have a love for animals.” Mr Parkinson bred his sheep for wool since “wool is more profitable than anything.” Culling is severe to maintain high standards. He has between 320 and 350 ewes and hoggets each year but only keeps the top 180 to 190 and

sells the rest. Of his 80 to 90 stud hoggets each year, Mr Parkinson keeps about 40. While the trend is to go for more wool weight per animal, Mr Parkinson instead strives for better quality. “On our country you can’t go for weight. It iS too steep and cold. The sheep put more energy into just keeping warm.” His success in the United States has not been the only reward. He has not missed a Christchurch A. and P. Show for the 20 years that it has included a Perendale section and has often taken prizes there. His wool has also topped the Christchurch wool sales “many times.” The decision to enter the United States competition was spurred on by a Californian friend and made for fun. After taking three prizes with four entries he is tempted to enter again.