30 | MEAT & WOOL » Newhaven Perendales ‘Demand for our genetics has increased’ Newhaven stud ewes in Winter on the hill block - all sheep are nil drench for life including sale rams. Karen Phelps “We have a saying that our lambs are born in the tussocks, not on the spreadsheet. Its about ensuring they perform in the real world as well as on paper.” Demand is driving continued expansion for Newhaven Perendales as it prepares for its annual ram selling season this summer. “We have been continually expanding our stud as demand for our genetics has increased,” explains Jane Smith who owns the stud with husband Blair. “There has also been expansion in terms of areas we sell into and we have demand from all around New Zealand now.” The stud is based at Five Forks on their 1,600-hectare farm in the Kakanui Range. The operation tags 2,500 stud lambs annually at birth before selecting the elite 400 rams that go to market through private treaty sales in late January and February. At the heart of the stud’s success is its nil-drench policy, something the stud has been focusing on since the 1990s when drench resistance was barely recognised as an issue. This foresight has proved invaluable as drench resistance now affects many New Zealand sheep farmers. Jane says that many clients have successfully implemented low-input or nil-drench programmes in their own flocks using Newhaven genetics, avoiding the costly problem of developing resistance and at the same time maintaining high-performing sheep. “It’s not just about nil drench; it’s about building resilient genetics,” explains Jane. The stud’s breeding philosophy centres on what Jane calls the ‘trifecta’ combining ewe fertility and mothering ability with lamb survival and growth rates. Operating at 580 metres above sea level, the harsh environment naturally selects for the toughest animals. “We have a saying that our lambs are born in the tussocks, not on the spreadsheet. Its about ensuring they perform in the real world as well as on paper,” explains Jane. Founded in 1972 by Jane’s parents David and Robyn Ruddenklau, the stud was established to breed ewes capable of performing regardless of country type. Today it runs approximately 2,000 stud Perendale ewes under genuine commercial conditions. All stud sheep undergo full SIL recording, with over two decades of DNA testing for cold tolerance and foot score to enhance resilience against foot rot. The operation maintains rigorous selection pressure, culling heavily to retain only the top 2530% of rams born each year. With Perendales gaining popularity for their efficiency, Newhaven targets each ewe to wean her own weight in lambs annually. “This is what leads to greater profitability for each of our clients no matter what the climate throws at them,” says Jane. The stud has responded to market demands by developing Romdale and PerendaleTexel crosses alongside their pure Perendale rams. All sires selected for sale must meet strict criteria including low-input animal health, (027) 432 4154 (027) 3841424 We don’t Breed Bureaucrats. Supplying rams Nationwide Nil Drench Flock for 30 years Web: www.newhavenperendales.co.nz @newhavengenetics @farmsnewhaven At Newhaven we believe in accountability. Any animal that can’t perform under a nil-drenched regime - no matter what the season throws at them, can pack their bags and move to Wellington. No excuses. Our genetics work hard and actually earn their keep - and are proven through 50 years of selection for low-input traits. Newhaven Perendales Newhaven Romdales Newhaven Perendale Texels 3 Usk St, Oamaru 9400 | www.nops.co.nz | 03 434 7766 Are proud supporters & Agronomists for Newhaven Farms. NORTH OTAGO PASTORAL SERVICES resilience, good conformation with robust feet and high wool quality. All three ram breeds are nil drench from birth. “We wouldn’t put anything up for sale that we couldn’t back in terms of quality and performance,” says Jane. “We want to make sure we are producing the best of the best.”
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