Good luck! As we disperse all our crossbreeds, weve found the crossbred cull ewes with a wool coat have sold for 50-75percentof what comparable weight hair ewes bring. Weve found that while genetics play an important role in weight gains, flock management, parasite control, forage quality and forage availability seem to be more important when it comes to the bottom line. The Blackhead Persian is a fat-rumped hair breed from the arid lands of the Middle East. Are Llamas Dangerous? About. Other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn. A year and many dollars later, they cant understand why the rams offspring doesnt grow any faster than the rest of their animals. This is down to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver. Ive seen Shropshire being used to keep weeds and grass down in Christmas tree plantations. We had the idea of crossing a Dorper with their 60 Katahdin ewes. . Dorper Sheep - Sheep Breed Series 22,946 views Mar 15, 2020 417 Dislike Share The Grass-fed Homestead 75.8K subscribers Shepherdess Tess talks about her Dorper sheep breeding program and how. While many of the characteristics hair animals possess appeal to the hobby flock owner, we expect an animal to make us money; if it doesnt, its gone. Most lambs are considered market-ready by 9-12 weeks. I dont want him to get unhealthily fat. Origin: This breed was developed or evolved on the Eastern Caribbean Island of Barbados. i want buy texel sheep unit so please tell how can buy it this breed. They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. There are a few characteristics you will want to look for when choosing a meat-producing sheep. The Katahdan tend to be a little more "active", in general not quite as docile, though many would disagree but they are still quiet. The shedding process may take some getting used to but will not litter your pasture with wool Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. Question is this common? What sheep breeds are best for meat? if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Being native to Iceland, this breed is exceptionally cold-hardy, and is an excellent and efficient forager making it able to thrive and find food in harsh environments. Katahdins are a popular meat breed for sheep farmers. The Dorper is a good example of this interbreeding. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. Ewes with young lambs show protective behavior and may raise front feet to strike dogs and cats when confronted. Posted 11/18/2019 21:09 (#7854689) Subject: Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. Ive spent my entire life around farm animals, and I created Savvy Farm Life to share the helpful information Ive learned over the years. Because of their hair, they do not produce the lanolin that can lend gaminess to the meat, giving it a milder flavor. This is true for Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix in particular, because they have not been subjected to selection for size and growth rate of the woolen breeds. You will find the occasional larger patch of wool in your pasture and you will definitely find wool and hair on the trees where the sheep rub. In addition, shearing is not a requirement thereby reducing operational cost. I am new to the sheep business so I am concerned that she will never be large enough to breed. Dorper-sired lambs produce carcasses that are most similar in weight and muscling to that of wool breeds, but generally have greater fatness when slaughtered at the same age. This breed is medium-sized and is hardy with a high-quality carcass. Cole, N.A. They are excellent foragers. "We liked their look," Ruby puts in. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'savvyfarmlife_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Considered to be the 2nd most popular breed of sheep in the US, the Dorset sheep is another solid meat-producer. The leather from hair sheep grain is finer than the leather from wool breeds and brings in a larger amount of money. The first generation grows quite well due to the heterosis effect, but nearly always has a wool coat. Im sorry I cannot help you. Mostly Katahdin hair ewes exposed to Dorper and Katahdin bucks. Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. They can mature to be up to 6 tall, can reach over 400 pounds, and they dont back down Goats vs Sheep: Profit, Care & Behavioral Differences. Sales of sheep meat and sheep breeding stock are on the rise in the United States and Canada. In 2001, my friend with Polypay paid $2 to shear $.50 worth of wool per animal. They are also highly resistant to many parasites that can become bothersome to other breeds of sheep. To showcase the commercial qualities of our animals, all breeding stock we sell comes directly from pasture, having received no special treatment. Due to their superior conformation and shedding characteristics, they have become one of the most popular breeds of sheep in the U.S. Many ethnic groups want a much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the past. Typically, the 75 percent Dorper crosses will exhibit the Dorper coloration and conformation. Required fields are marked *. This market presented difficulties such as lambing in the dead of winter, having lambs large enough (especially when Passover comes early) and pooling with your neighbors to find enough lambs for a truckload. its ok to wean the lamb as soon as possible. The wool and hair comes mainly off in such small pieces that it is like a cow or a goat shedding you dont worry about their hair littering the pasture either. Looking forward to reply. Environmental Adaptability:They are adaptable to all climates. Lambing %: Average lambing rate is between 150 and 250%. Do you want to earn multiple income streams from your flock. They grow quickly and reach market weight early. Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months. Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. Many of the Dorper you see have been crossed with Katahdin sheep for several reasons. Featured Listing. We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. Now meat sheep producers are lucky if wool prices cover . The outside temp is above 85* sheep are heaving and panting rapidly. i love the dorper sheep breed! Produce large amount of milk. For the Katahdin vs Dorper analysis (Table 1), 8 SNPs under selection were observed in SOCS2, NOS2, TGFB2 and IL2RA genes within OAR3, 11, 12 and 13, respectively. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic . To properly flush a ewe, she should be on an upward nutritional plane and gaining weight. They also do well eating the vegetation that other species reject. Last but not least on our list is the Cheviot breed. study was done that showed the parasite resistance. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Breed is docile and calm with good flocking instinct. Unfortunately, Mr. Piel did not live long enough to see his breed reach having a registry and breed standards. How the breed carries fat is, I think, important when dealing with older sheep. Parasite resistance and reproductive efficiency is very high, making the Katahdin a valued breed in the hair sheep industry. The thickness of a Katahdin sheeps winter coat will vary among individuals, but it needs to shed completely for an A or AA coat classification, which is the norm. keep checking it out! Hope this helps! Some breeders have been working on crosses between traditional wool meat breeds and hair sheep breeds. Market Weight/Live/Age: 70 90 lbs / 7 8 months. The entire belly is black including areas between the legs, nose and forehead. The Katahdin breed has hair instead of wool, and that means less work, according to the couple, who raise the sheep near Perham, Minnesota. Environmental Adaptability: Well adapted to hot, dry, humid and wet conditions. I recently purchased 4 ram lambs for meat. As wild sheep were domesticated, breeding for increased wool came into practice. Just a little more "stingy" than the Dorper (and I am talking more for working them with dogs). Dorper ram purchased from Juan Navarro of J.N. Mutton is meat that comes from mature sheep over the age of 1 year old. Technical Abstract: Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. University of South Dakota research found it requires 250-300 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of wool. Your email address will not be published. $300. marina@mgdorpers.com. Hi..I have a merino female sheep and I would like to know if its possible to cross it with male dorper sheep to get pregnant .. Do Dorpers only breed seasonally ? Thanks, Noela. (Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with a 130-pound cocklebur.). My Dorper ram is not really large but he is bigger than her. The other half needed shearing. But the dorpers always have say ten % that need shearing still. Mating season for Suffolk sheep usually happens in the Autumn or Winter of each year, as it is for most sheep breeds. Our paddocks are grazed for 5-7 days followed by 25-34 days of . More on that subject later. This breed was developed after 20 years of breeding and selection. Very interesting and informational! If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. Katahdin sheep are one of several hair breeds, the most common of which includes Barbados Black Belly, St. Croix and Dorper sheep. I have noticed that some lambs are showing caramel patches. If you have space to corral a few sheep, you can fill the freezer with a healthy alternative to beef and chicken. Their main advantage is that they adapt well to hot humid climate where woolen breeds do not thrive well. Bred Ewes Commercial - Market Sheep. There are very few disadvantages of keeping Katahdin sheep. You can also use them for multiple income streams thanks to their excellent meat and milk production. Blackbellys often breed easily and well, usually birthing multiple lambs in one breeding. The breed was developed in the mid-1950s by crossing imported St. Croix Sheep and several other breeds, including the Suffolk Sheep. They also have a fat rump, short legs, and a compact body. Dorpers grow a combination of hair and wool, and shed naturally meaning no shearing is required. However, if you are not intending to feed grain and if you dont intend to grow your lambs beyond 100 lbs. Myth #2: Hair sheep don't bring as much on the slaughter market. The St. Croix breed is descended from the original West African hair sheep although some believe they are a cross breed of Criollo and Wiltshire White sheep. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 170 200 (can be less than 170lb), Ram = 220 250. the last time the ewe had triplets she would not take care of the tiny black one but at first she did.. but my husband ended up bottle feeding the last one born. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to raise sheep, making it a good choice for almost any climate in the United States. For registered breeding stock, permanent wooly fibers are a no-no. Fourteen years ago my wife got into the sheep business when she purchased three registered Katahdin ewes, a ram, and later, three Romanov ewes. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Next Page: Flock ID Last Name First Name Farm Name Address City State . In addition, there is almost no incidence of flystrike with hair sheep breeds. In years past, 18-30 pound lambs sold well in Chicago for Jewish Passover. I bottle fed him for three months and give him grain 2x a day, and free choice hay as well as pasture grass. Lamb comes from a sheep under the age of 1 year old. Benefits of This Breed The Dorper are preferred for their excellent feed utilisation and conversion: they don't need shearing, crutching and mulesing, and they are disease resistant. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.4 lbs daily with good nutrition. These White Dorper female replacement lambs already look very much like purebred White Dorpers Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. Photo courtesy of: Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. Thank you for stopping by, and best of luck with your farm! I forgot to ask for notification via e-mail, so I am reposting my questions. Nitrogen retention by lambs fed oscillating dietary protein concentrations. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you have a disability and are having trouble accessing information on this website or need materials in an alternate format, please contact Cornell University via email at web-accessibility@cornell.edu for assistance. Are you interested in raising sheep for meat? Ulf Kintzel owns and manages White Clover Sheep Farm (www.whitecloversheepfarm.com) in Rushville, NY where he breeds grass-fed White Dorper sheep. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which is better for your homestead? If there were a hair Hampshire or Suffolk that would do a better job, wed be raising them. It was bred from West African hair sheep and is extremely well-adapted to hot, humid conditions. Dorper Sheep. He farms in the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York. Interested in raising sheep for wool? In our operation, that sheep breed is the Katahdin sheep. We are fortunate that buyers for the large ethnic market in St. Louis often attend sales. I have bought a dorper lamb an intend to serve mountain horny ewes with him has it ever being tried out, hi, For example, we consider time spent worming, shearing, docking and trimming hooves as merely maintaining an operation. These slaughter lambs sell comparable to pure Katahdin sheep per pound unless theyre full of cockleburs and briars. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Extremely reactive to dogs and cats usually as though they wish to flee. Unlike meat goats, hair sheep are resistant to many of the parasites shed by cattle. Some of the main pros of keeping Katahdin sheep include: Katahdin sheep are one of the easiest breeds of sheep to care for. The ancestry is believed to be of both African hair sheep and European breeds. We began our Katahdin Sheep herd with non-registered sheep but have added registered Katahdin ewes to our farm. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. 80 pounds at 90 days can be expected. The Dorper Sheep is a hardy resilient South African breed of sheep that can withstand various harsh climates, environments and intensive operations. Katahdin would adapt best under humid, warm conditions, while Dorper would be best suited for dry arid and semiarid rangeland conditions. For example, cold wind and warm sun quickly result in herd finding shelter under conditions when woolen sheep remain in the open. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7.5 lbs for single, 6.5 7 for twins, and less for triplets. This makes them one of the more profitable breeds to specialize in. There are many great options for meat-producing sheep. Here is a list of the top 10 sheep breeds for meat:if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'savvyfarmlife_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Sheep are one of the most versatile livestock animals you can find when it comes to the number of different products they are able to produce. November/December 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy. Jacksonville, FL 32254. In terms of lambing, youll find Katahdins mostly give birth to multiple lambs. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. Some are calling these shedding sheep. When the weathers hot and the pastures are dry, their wool animals will be under a tree while the hair animals are out grazing. Its important to have an animal thats pure or unaltered for sacrifice in observance of many holidays. Ewes typically reach sexual maturity by 7 months. Dries Wiese, the owner and Studbreeder, was 9 years old when his father bought him his first . If you consider hairsheep like White Dorpers in the future dont forget to ask the breeder about the shedding ability of their flock! Arguments exist concerning the exact origin of the Barbados Blackbelly evidence is shown for both Africa or Barbados. Katahdin is probably the more economical choice, however, namely because they can produce both meat and milk. Sold all our cattle. Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. It is raised mainly for meat production. Katahdins often breeding out of season. What is the point of getting hairsheep when you end up shearing them? Icelandic Sheep are excellent and reliable breeders, breeding seasonally in the Fall to Winter. You have to pay to have it sheared once a year. After 22 years they are well rooted in South Paris. Im sure by now you have an answer. Ewes weight approximately 200 pounds, and rams average out to around 260 pounds. Libyans prefer old worn out buck goats for their stronger flavor. While both breeds are exceptionally popular in the US, there are some differences between the two. I had a Texel flock of 100 breeding ewes at the time when I bought my first White Dorper rams. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society. Thank so much for this information. Though the breed produces wool (and lanolin), it is known to have a particularly mild taste. Market Weight/Live/Age: 80 110 lbs / 5.5 6 months. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. Twinning is common and triplets and quadruplets are not rare. To avoid the coloring and spots that come along with first and second generation cross breeding with Dorper sheep, I decided to go with White Dorper sheep (WD). The ability of this breed to put grass into weight gain is remarkable. if any one would be interested in buying some good quality Dorpers check out my website MGDorpers.com it is comming out soon! Environmental Adaptability: Withstand heat and cold well, and part of this adjustment to extremes is behavioral. Owning Goats vs. Sheep The Dorper grows more wool but self-sheds annually. Because of their hair and their low fat content, this breed is known to produce both flavorful and mild meat. My question is, how much should he weigh. Its also possible that some pieces of wool or hair remain along the back or on the hind quarters or arm pits. Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. 1999. The Dorper is a breed of sheep that originated in the south of Africa in the 1940's. It is the product of cross-breeding between the Dorset Horn and Blackhead Persian breeds. Yes, you can milk Dorper sheep! We have just over 1200 breeding ewes & aim for around 2000 when things get better. You will want to take into account the mature size of the animal (you can expect to yield 40% of an animals live weight in meat), the quality of meat, and whether it will tolerate your climate. The number of feedings can be reduced over time to twice a day by 3-4 weeks of age. May-June lambs on pasture alone (10-13percentprotein and 60-65percent DOM) will average 45 pounds. Choosing breeding stock with this in mind can avoid this problem. A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. The breeds of hair sheep that are of importance in Florida include Katahdin, St. Croix, American Blackbelly, and Barbados Blackbelly. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses. Dorper sheep do well in warm, arid climates, but can tolerate cold as well. Thanks, I am considering starting a small Dorper and or Katahdin herd to raise meat for the Western New York market. At 90 days, weve had November-December lambs on pasture, hay and whole grain (corn or milo) average 75 pounds. They also are not limited to a breeding season, conceiving year round. They are easy care sheep that divert most of their energy into producing meat instead of wool. In fact, when we have pot roast from a culled ewe I can still fool my wife into thinking we had lamb for dinner. An interesting study was done that showed the parasite resistance was higher in the purebred hair sheep over the crossbred shedding sheep. While mutton and lamb may seem like more of a rarity in America, it is more popular as a main dish in other parts of the world. Our spring lambs require 4-5 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of gain. ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare productive performance of F 1 Dp vs . Suffolk grow wool continuously, and will need to be sheared annually. Hair sheep breeds simply shed their hair covering and fleecy undercoat when the weather warms. We have a dispute between the members about feeding sheep after working them. This increases the risk of falls and injury, which can be expensive to fix. Feel free to contact the author, Ulf Kintzel, at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com for further information. Kt ewes under low-input semiarid conditions of northern Mxico. Disposition & Mothering Ability: This breed is a bit flighty. $300. They grow quickly and reach market weight early. If youre grazing crop-field aftermath, their coat will pick up trash where a Katahdin wont. High latitudes (up north) have a short growing season with long daylight periods and fast grass growth that is high in protein and low in fiber. A unique characteristic about the Dorper is that they do not breed seasonally, instead they are able to breed year-around. The American Sheep Industry recognizes 47 different sheep breeds in the US, with hundreds more recognized internationally. Blackbellys are often left unvaccinated due to their disease and parasite resistance (though of course, we recommend you do your research on the breed and talk to a vet about what they recommend for vaccinating). Why they are Crossed - YouTube 0:00 / 4:43 Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. Research has shown Dorper have good parasite tolerance or resilience rather than resistance. When the price of raw wool fleece is below the cost of shearing the animal, this is not cost effective. mantap ! Today I have 1/2, 3/4, 7/8th, and 15/16th White Dorper sheep. Just remember that Dorpers do have multiple births.. we raise some dorpers and they start off with the first time lambing with twins then after that triplets. Dorpers Our goal is to develop a flock of productive, easy-care sheep that are scrapie resistant, require no shearing and that reach market specs on grass. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. Some Ewes shed coats after second lambing. Moreover, RT was slightly less for Katahdin vs. Dorper in period 4 at 13:00 and 17:00 however, RR was less for Katahdin than for Dorper in periods 3 and 4. I have a very small Dorper ewe, she is 7 months old but very small. Unsave Save. Origin: This breed is sometimes referred to as Barbados Blackbelly, but it is different from the polled Barbados as a result of crosses with European breeds. Katahdin sheep will strip the bark from cedars, pines and any deciduous tree that has smooth, immature bark. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. These breeds are called hair sheep because the coat consists of hair more like that of cattle and many goats rather than wool. Sure enough, hes been trimming hooves. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. Fact: In central Missouri, raising sheep for wool has been a losing proposition for a number of years. The Dorper is a mutton breed of hair sheep developed in the 1930s. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. They have woolier coats and are slower to shed (most of them). Our grass-fed ewes normally go into the fall with a body score of 4-5, which makes flushing difficult: Adult Katahdin sheep can maintain themselves on poor quality forage that had our Romanovs literally skin and bones. We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. Originally, the established buyers at auctions resisted hairsheep in general and they fetched lower prices in places like New Holland. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. Dorpers are theoretically better muscled, meatier carcass, faster growing, but we haven't seen that to be true. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7 lbs for small lambs, 4-5 lbs for twin lambs. That is normal. I have seen many Dorper X Katahdins which are small and the only sign they have Dorper in them is the fact that they have black heads, if they had been crossed with a white Dorper, one would assume that there was no Dorper in there at all. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogoh:n dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogoh:n people, past and present, to these lands and waters. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The lighter weights are the result of hot weather reducing forage intake (occurs with all grazing animals) and lowered nutritional quality of cool-season forages. The best genetics wont keep an animal from starving to death. Hampshire sheep can live in almost any climate, making them a hardy breed. But what about the market lambs getting too fat? However, in older hairsheep the flavor is still impressive due to the genetic factor. Coat & Color: Has a variety of color ranging from black and tan through yellow with variegated mottled pattern. The Dorper sheep has gained popularity in the last decade for meat production, with ewes reaching a weight of 170-250 pounds, and rams up to 250 pounds. There is the wool type and the hairtype with the hairtype being slightly less meaty but far better shedding. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Just like to make a comment. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. Since todays hair sheep breeds are developed from hardy ancestors, they are considered easy keepers because they have a natural resistance to disease and parasites.
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