Third generation Maniatoto farm offers heritage flock in first ever fully online sale of merino ewes and lambs.

Fine wool growers had a unique opportunity to augment their flocks as some highly regarded stock was offered in the first ever bidr sale of merino ewes and lambs.

After almost a century in the same family, third generation owner Angela Scott is selling 497-hectare Maniatoto property Pendella Farm, and dispersing the pure traditional Saxon merino flock her father began breeding almost 60 years ago.

Ranfurly based PGG Wrightson Livestock sheep, beef and dairy representative Ryan Dowling managed the 11 March sale, which offered approximately 1200 ewes and a similar quantity of lambs. He says the Pendella sale is a rarity.

“We don’t see many public merino sales in New Zealand, other than the larger Tekapo and Omarama stations, which trade ewes and lambs occasionally. We rarely see the fine wool breeds at the saleyards.

“Farmed with meticulous attention to animal welfare, and adhering to RWS and NZFAP criteria, wool from these sheep is ideally suited for Barberis, Reda and Escorial contracts,” he says.

Angela’s father Bob started breeding Saxon merinos in 1970 with studstock from Winton and Kenilworth in Tasmania, whose pedigrees trace back to the breed’s origins in Saxony in 1765. More recently, she has incorporated New Zealand bloodlines from Peter Radford at Mt Arden and Rob and Sally Peter at Isolation. Emma and Tommy O’Sullivan have purchased the unregistered Pendella stud animals.

“Although Saxons are reckoned to be the smallest of the Merino types, that is not true. Their size is down to how they are managed. On country with good pasture, they grow out well, have an amazing fleece and scan 137 per cent. Average bodyweight is between 55 and 65 kilograms, with lambs consistently averaging 19.5 kilograms carcass weight after their first shearing.

“While I never enjoy selling my sheep, bidr overcomes most of the negative aspects of an auction, offering an efficient process that minimises stress on the animal, while also reaching a wide market in a way that makes it easy to view and to buy,” says Angela.

Saxon Merino wool has a helical crimp, which gives it springiness and a light, soft feel. Sought after by the textile industry for producing high quality, cloth, Saxon merino is used in luxury clothing products.

Managing director of GS Merino, Guy Spooner rates Angela’s wool.

“While it is unfortunate that Pendella has decided to sell their Saxon flock, it may be an opportunity for a dedicated and like-minded sheep breeder to take on these sheep, and further develop what is already a true ‘Italian’ style of wool.  

“All the characteristics of the wool are keenly sought by luxury fabric manufacturers and high-end knitwear brands,” he says.

Pendella was an Otago finalist in the 2020 Farm Environment Awards and Hollywood actor Brad Pitt wore an Escorial suit when he presented an Oscar in the 2021 ceremony, a garment that included Pendella wool.

Pendella Merino Ewe and Lamb Sale was a fully online bidr auction, which commenced at 7pm on Tuesday 11 March. If you are interested in viewing the results, you can sign-in with your bidr account to view them.

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