| 27 Five decades on, John’s still in it for the sheep John continues to support other upcoming sheep breeders, providing guidance on flock improvement decisions. Kim Newth RURAL PEOPLE » John Spellman As a life member of both the Perendale Sheep Society and the Cheviot Sheep Society, long time sheep breeder John Spellman has a unique perspective on sheep farming in New Zealand. His own flock experience goes all the way back to the 1960s, when the Perendale breed was still fairly new. While John and wife Mary don’t have any breeding ewes today on their 14-acre hobby farm on the outskirts of Te Awamutu, he’s taken sheep to A&P shows all his life, received multiple champion prizes and awards, and is an experienced show judge. He’s been fortunate to have been awarded the Struan Trophy by the Perendale Sheep Society for services to the Perendale breedand the coveted Mervyn Ladbrook Trophy, awarded annually at the Perendale and Cheviot ram sale in Gore. “I’ve always loved to farm a few quality animals of both Perendale and Cheviot breeds to help promote these breeds.” In the past, farming his various four properties, his surplus two-toothewes and cast for age 5yo ewes frequently topped or near topped the annual ewe fairs, as have his rams at the NorthIsland ram sale. Born in Dunedin, John says his family often moved around during his childhood through his father’s job as a Commissioner of Crown Lands. By 1950, the family was in New Plymouth, near his mother’s home farm. After leaving school, John worked on the hill country farm before completing an agricultural diploma course at Massey University and then working for a seed and merchant business in Palmerston North. He then returned to the home farm. Back then it had one of the best Romney flocks in the district but John was more interested in what the farmer next door, Laurie Goldsbury was achieving with crossbred sheep. Massey University was also doing crossbreed trials at the time, crossing Cheviots with Romneys on their farm to get hardier sheep suitable for New Zealand’s tougher largely un-topdressed country. “I remember [the late] Sir Geoffrey Peren, a chancellor from Massey University, coming to see Laurie who really was a man before his time. Of course, we soon started putting Cheviot rams with the Romney two-tooths; that produced quite brilliant sheep and eliminated most of their lambing problems.” After John took over the family farm in 1966, he began developing his own Perendales and registered his Herangi flock in 1968 as a 25-year-old. John recalls buying Rua Peka Peka stud rams from Graham Bryant, another of the breed’s pioneers. “I still regard Rua Peka Peka sheep as some of the best quality sheep I ever came across.” As well, John founded a quality Cheviot flock in 1972 and has enjoyed much success with showing Cheviots through the years. At last year’s Waikato A&P Association show section of over 200 sheep, one of John’s Cheviot rams took out the Champion Sheep of the Show title with a unanimous decision from the judges. He has also won this award threetimes previously with his Perendale rams. In his career, John has made good friends at the sale yards, like fellow sheep breeder Malcolm McElvie, of Southland’s Kylemore Stud. The two swapped Cheviot and Perendale rams in the past and John still likes sourcing a few ram lambs from him today. He continues lending his support to other upcoming sheep breeders too, providing guidance and advice on flock improvement decisions. John and Mary are actively involved in their local community. John recently received a 50 Year Chevron for his service with Piopio Lions and has had a big input into the club’s programme over the years, including organising speakers and activities for club meetings. “I’d like to believe I have achieved some goals through doing what I enjoy.” Proud to supply genetics to John Spellman KILLARA CHEVIOTS Matt McKelvie 027 491 2503
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