Perendale pioneer awarded life membership

• Published date: 25 May 2022
• Publication title: Central Rural Life

FOR 50 years, North Otago farmer David Ruddenklau has had a passion for the Perendale breed

That lengthy involvement and contribution to the breed was recognised last week when he was awarded life membership at Perendale New Zealand’s annual conference which was based in Queenstown and hosted by the Otago ward.

Mr Ruddenklau, who founded the Newhaven Perendale stud in 1972, said he remained supportive not only of the breed but also the overall sheep industry. Long term, the future of sheep meat looked ‘‘superb’’.

One of the biggest threats was forestry, particularly carbon forestry, on better productive land.

He was not against trees, and plantings had been done on the Newhaven property, near Five Forks, but he was a believer in ‘‘right tree, right place.’’

There had been various highlights over the years, including selling high-priced rams and various industry awards.

One of the major things he got satisfaction from was the setting up and chairing of the Perendale New Zealand national progeny trial and the co-operation of so many breeders.

It had also been all about the people; he had made longtime friendships, not only with fellow registered Perendale breeders but also the many ram clients he had met over the years. There were now third-generation purchasers. He was also grateful for the long-standing support of his wife Robyn.

Since he first established his stud, the Perendale breed had been modified to suit present conditions. He was disappointed wool was still undervalued and frustrated that the ‘‘environmental green movement still seems to happily accept poly-fibres in the environment’’.

Wool had so many qualities, including being biodegradable and fire resistant and he was still hopeful the younger generation would be prepared to research where their clothes were from.

Mr Ruddenklau was thrilled to see Murray and Julie Hellewell’s West Ridge jersey business, producing jerseys from the Perendale lamb’s wool at their Lawrence farm, saying initiatives like that were ‘‘wonderful’’.

Mr Hellewell, who buys Perendale rams from the France family’s Hazeldale stud at Moa Flat, had his jerseys for sale during a visit to the stud on Thursday. He was pleased with the popularity of the jerseys, saying the next step was to get bigger.

Being an ex-shearer, Mr France said he still had a passion for wool and he had been supplying some wool to the Hellewells which had been rewarding, seeing it heading off to be used and respected, he said.

He and his wife Kerry...