Founded in early 2005, Graceburn Perendale Stud began with 44 ewes selected from the Robinson family’s Cumbria Stud. We were lucky enough to have the pick of any of the stud ewes and took advantage of that opportunity. The majority of these ewes were artificially inseminated using semen imported from the Bonnieview Perendale stud in New Zealand. Two NZ sires (886/03, 55/01) were chosen for the AI program particularly for their exceptional growth rates, fecundity, worm resistance and type. An additional ram, Summit Park 19/02, was purchased in 2005 from the Fraser family; he was selected for use as a back up to the AI and exhibits excellent wool type and fleshing.

The Perendale breed was selected after much careful consideration on our climate and rainfall. The farm is located just outside Healesville and is at the top of the Yarra Valley at the base of the ranges so we get on average 1200mm rain (however we haven’t seen it for several years). The farm is half productive hill country and half river flats. The year is broken up into a long cold wet period and a warm wet (but not as wet) period. We wanted a breed capable of handling extremes in temp and rainfall and able to survive and thrive without the need for constant attention. Their known parasite resistance was an attractive quality, along with their dual purpose capabilities.

It comes as no surprise that one of our main breeding objectives is to improve fleece quality within our flock whilst keeping the tremendous carcase inherited from the Cumbria ewes. We currently apply the Soft Rolling Skin® (SRS®) breeding principles to our alpaca herd and will endeavour to use the skills learned from Dr Jim Watts to produce a superior quality of wool on our Perendales without losing the frame and fertility we are building.

To help increase the data available to us when mating and classing we are also carcase scanning. We are not great believers in the accuracy of Lambplan due to past experiences so we are using Stockscan, a well respected operation from New Zealand. The raw data is then used to determine within herd EBV’s using the Studfax computer software (also from NZ). This gives us access to Estimated Breeding Values (EBV’s) for growth, eye muscle area, fat depth as well as the detailed fleece weights and individual micron tests.


Our first showing this year at the Australian Sheep & Wool Breeders Show was quite successful, taking out two seconds, one first, champion Perendale ewe and Supreme Champion exhibit.

The interest from fellow breeders and onlookers was very promising.

First and foremost we are focused on the commercial realities of the sheep industry of today and for that reason we are breeding for a type of Perendale that will find a niche in this competitive marketplace.

A sheep for high rainfall areas and hill country, capable of looking after itself, whilst still bringing in a productive fleece and excellent carcase.