At 90 days, weve had November-December lambs on pasture, hay and whole grain (corn or milo) average 75 pounds. They were called Africans at the time. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That's interesting! Origin: This mutton breed was developed in South Africa in the 1930s from Dorset Horn and Blackheaded Persia for the extensive regions of South Africa. These are some of the best reasons to raise Katahdin sheep - though the list is by no means exhaustive! and, as such, the data are estimates. They are prolific breeders as well, often producing twins. Hi just wondering it may be a silly question anyways can you milk Dorper sheep. 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. Sheds coat as temperature and day length increase. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Choosing breeding stock with this in mind can avoid this problem. I have a pet ram lamb, texel dorset cross I was told. Though the breed produces wool (and lanolin), it is known to have a particularly mild taste. Why they are Crossed Waco Childbirth Education 74 subscribers Subscribe 127 Share. if any one would be interested in buying some good quality Dorpers check out my website MGDorpers.com it is comming out soon! Tunis sheep are known to have an excellent flavor of meat. Request PDF | Signatures of selection in sheep and goats infected with Haemonchus contortus | Host genetic variation for resistance to Haemonchus contortus allows selective breeding of animals for . Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 120 - 160, Ram = 180 250. Like the Dorper, Dorset ewes are able to breed year-round and are not limited to a typical Fall/Winter breeding season. Dorper's are by far the closest hair sheep to the wool breed. Originally, the established buyers at auctions resisted hairsheep in general and they fetched lower prices in places like New Holland. It is more flighty than Dorper, Kathadin and St. Croix breeds. 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. take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. Our spring lambs require 4-5 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of gain. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, buildwithmaple.com. Manage Settings Owning Goats vs. Sheep He farms in the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York. Is there any way to contact him? 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. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, God Save the Beef: Trials of Sustainable Farming in the UK . Flock owners with less than 50 animals have a difficult time getting someone to shear unless they pool their animals with neighbors. Im sure by now you have an answer. My Texel and Dorset lambs that I used to have in the past didnt differ that much in flavor, although the WD lambs are indeed milder tasting. Updated: Monday, February 06, 2023 02:46 PM. Tunis are solid breeders and excellent mothers. I direct sell a great number of lambs. I saw that the author is from Central Missouri, which is where we live. The second reason I chose Dorper over St. Croix is desirability. Have been buying in feed since the start of 2018. In this area, hair sheep often sell higher than wool sheep. What sheep breeds are best for meat? They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. 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. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. The Dorper grows more wool but self-sheds annually. I am new to the sheep business so I am concerned that she will never be large enough to breed. I no longer sell at livestock auctions mainly because I dont have to. Thanks, Noela. The cross breeding results in the best of both breeds but also in the benefits of heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor. While weve missed out on export sales the last several years because of retaining ewes to increase flock numbers, Mexican buyers will be coming by this spring. I would never go back to merinos & do not intend having cattle again, My dorper sheep have been lambing only male lambs..i do not know why there are no females being born9males so far..no females. In addition to being a smaller breed, the lambs tend to mature slowly, not reaching ideal market weight until around 2 years of age. I had on occasion lambs butchered that exceeded 110 pounds. Some hair breed rams are long-bodied which can create a lengthy birthing scenario for the ewe. They are attentive, protective, and make excellent mothers. They have woolier coats and are slower to shed (most of them). Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic, management, climate, etc. Katahdin sheep will strip the bark from cedars, pines and any deciduous tree that has smooth, immature bark. They require less worming medications as a general rule. When selecting breeding stock, choose animals with good feet. Feeding Practices in Sheep - Merck Veterinary Manual We have an 18-cell planned grazing system with 10,000 feet of electric fence and 5,000 feet of underground waterline on 35 acres. St. Croix Sheep have been used to develop other breeds such as the Royal White. That is normal. Bosnians want 60-pound animals while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals. They do produce wool, and will need regular shearing. Everything You Need to Know About Hair Sheep - Cross S Ranch You must log in or register to reply here. The shedding process may take some getting used to but will not litter your pasture with wool Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. Katahdin Sheep: Low-Maintenance Meat and Milk Producer - MorningChores People in the Midwest or southern states see this and make a trip to Alberta to purchase a super ram. 46:131-143.. Making a Good Ewe Flock. They are seasonal breeders, conceiving in the Fall and Winter. 199 Effects of high heat load conditions on Dorper, Katahdin, and St Future importations to university breeding flocks led to the development of the American Blackbelly sheep breed. For example, cold wind and warm sun quickly result in herd finding shelter under conditions when woolen sheep remain in the open. This has nothing to do with genetics and everything to do with the latitude in which the animal lives: Things being equal, our weights will be lower than the weights of similar Katahdins raised in Canada, but higher than ones raised in Florida. So, what about littering the pasture with wool? Dorper Sheep - Sheep Breed Series - YouTube 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, Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogoh:n. 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). Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses At Stoneheart Farms we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. We live in central NSW ( Australia ) our usual rainfall is 30 inchs, temp range from -7 deg to 45 deg C ( yes 115 F ) but over the past 3 years we have been experiencing a huge drought. The Katahdin breed was developed in the United States by Michael Piel. 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. This is a very old article and I do not have the contact info for John. The first rams I purchased were of outstanding shedding ability. However, if thats what you are looking for then this breed might not be for you. Hair sheep have some attributes that make them admirably suited to fill market niches or fit varying production systems in Florida. In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. This behavior causes problems with maintaining desirable trees unless protection is provided. Dorper Vs Katahdins | Homesteading Forum You have to pay to have it sheared once a year. Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. One needs to do a detail review of the information related to the hair breed one wishes to raise. -. However, as the challenge escalated, parasite resistance was greatest in St. Croix lambs, followed by Katahdin and Dorper lambs. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. Research Activity | Parasite Immunology | West Virginia University This breed is medium-sized and is hardy with a high-quality carcass. The ability of this breed to put grass into weight gain is remarkable. The Dorper sheep is a meat sheep breed. Sheep for sale: young grass-fed butcher ram lambs (Dorper & Katahdin) Origin: This breed originated from Maine, U.S. from crosses of woolen breeds mainly Suffolk and later Wiltshire Horn with hair sheep from the Virgin Islands. Katahdin Hair Sheep International Dorpers DO NOT shed their coats as well and consistently as katahdins. A list of the breeds of sheep that are thought of as being good ewe breeds would start with (1) Rambouillet sheep such as there are in Texas (2) several kinds of Whitefaced Western sheep, (3) the Dorset breed, which is a white-faced meat breed . Dorper Sheep. Katahdins often breeding out of season. Hampshire sheep can live in almost any climate, making them a hardy breed. 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. How do you decide which breed is right for your needs? They were significantly more reasonably priced and for practical matters were the same. Market Weight/Live/Age: 80 110 lbs / 5.5 6 months. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7.5 lbs for single, 6.5 7 for twins, and less for triplets. The Royal White sheep shed their wool naturally, it saves the cost of shearing. Dorper fullbloods, Katahdin fullbloods and St Croix fullbloods, We have a nice big fullblood dorper ram that we are putting over the St Croix and the Katahdin. I usually harvest my lambs between 80 and 90 lbs. I cant speak to colder temperatures, taking zero degrees without a problem is good enough for me. Suffolk ewes have an excellent lambing rate of 180%, making them a solid choice for breeding. Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. I have a question. They still dont take a huge amount of time to reach it, but it is something to be aware of if you are looking for fast production. It is also exceptionally low-maintenance. marina@mgdorpers.com. Environmental Adaptability: Withstand higher heat and humidity than British sheep breeds. There are black headed Dorpers (most common) and white Dorpers (harder to find). 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. They are excellent mothers. I've seen some really nice Dorper/Katahdin crosses. We are currently using rams with high shedding scores, while culling heavily on production traits. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. We just started raising Katahdins this year. They reach sexual maturity early, and will remain fertile for a longer period of time than many other breeds. I dont want him to get unhealthily fat. Good luck! If you plan on going into the meat production business, its important to know the difference between types of sheep meat. Though size and time to mature are not the Blackbellys strongest points, there are many advantages to raising this hardy breed of sheep. Some Ideas About Crossbreeding Sheep | Oklahoma State University The Blackbelly is a smaller breed of sheep, with ewes maturing at around 100 pounds, and rams weighing on average 120 pounds. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. If youre grazing crop-field aftermath, their coat will pick up trash where a Katahdin wont. In 1975 Utah State University imported a small flock of Virgin Island White which is the basis for the present St. Croix breed in North America. They are hardy and do well in range. Dorsets commonly produce twins and even triplets. As hair sheep breeds become more popular, it will be important for breeders to ensure the future integrity of the breeds. 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. Shear force values were greatest, tougher, for Dorset-sired than Dorper-sired or Katahdin lambs. An interesting study was done that showed the parasite resistance was higher in the purebred hair sheep over the crossbred shedding sheep. Question is this common? my ewe with CL has had her first batch of lambs last month and she is a really good mother! Your email address will not be published. The Dorper is a South African breed of domestic sheep developed by crossing Dorset Horn and the Blackhead Persian sheep.The breed was created through the efforts of the South African Department of Agriculture to breed a meat sheep suitable to the more arid regions of the country. 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. While I cant speak for other hair breeds, Katahdin sheep are tough, hardy animals with eating habits more like that of a goat. Some European sheep genetics were incorporated into the African sheep to arrive at the existing hair breeds mentioned above. Crossing with the Dorper led tothis larger hair breed. If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. Dorpers are well-known to mature early as well, with most lambs considered market-ready in as little as 4 months old. They can harbor significant worm populations, yet not suffer the same effects a wool animal would. Mutton is meat that comes from mature sheep over the age of 1 year old. At Kettle Haven Ranch we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.57 lbs under intensive production. Lambing %: Lambing rates vary from 150% to 250% with 3 lambing every 2 years not uncommon. Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. Crossbred individuals tend to be more vigorous, more fertile . For specific questions, please contact the author. Baby Sheep: What a Baby Sheep is Called & Other Fun Facts. Dorper Sheep Breed - Everything You Need to Know - Domestic Animal Breeds However, they are suitable for markets requiring smaller carcass size. It improves from year one to year two of age but can again be reduced by external factors like disease or weight loss. We figured the combination would be a meatier sheep." They bought the ram in 1996 and some ewes the following spring. Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'savvyfarmlife_com-leader-2','ezslot_10',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-leader-2-0'); With an extended breeding season of nearly 5 months, Texel sheep are prolific breeders. Apparently, Momma Kathadin doesnt wait around to see what happens when Mr. Coyote shows up for dinner. Non selective grazers that perform well under both extensive and intensive production systems. View Details. My customers are also distributors of various sizes who sell mainly at restaurants and their private customers. Katahdin Sheep - MAD-KETTLE FARM - KATAHDIN SHEEP AND DEXTER CATTLE Katahdin can be used for both meat and milk, whereas Dorper sheep are only good for meat production. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. The Dorper is a good example of this interbreeding. I have found that the Katahdin can be a little taller than many of the Dorper but then it will also depend on what bloodlines. (I know, Im not a good farmer) The main differences between these two breeds are the colors available, and what they can be used for. We currently manage between 45-60 ewes per year with about 70% of our flock being registered. Fact: Katahdin sheep, at least, will thrive from hot, humid Florida to the western provinces of Canada. Check out my article Best Sheep for Wool: Top 8 Sheep Breeds for Wool. November/December 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy. Originally bred for their meat, the Katahdin tends to have a wider variation of milk production - some ewes producing significantly more (or significantly less) than the average. Lambs are efficient producers of meat. The Katahdin breed has hair instead of wool, and that means less work, according to the couple, who raise the sheep near Perham, Minnesota. Technical Abstract: Sales of sheep meat and sheep breeding stock are on the rise in the United States and Canada. For more on the differences, plus potential pros and cons between the breeds, read on. In years past, 18-30 pound lambs sold well in Chicago for Jewish Passover. Did you know that Dorper sheep dont need to be sheared? Being aware of the pros and cons of each breed will help you to make a better-informed decision over which one is right for your setup. No difference was noted between the purebred breeds of hair sheep. More on that subject later. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Accursed/Smileys/waiting-bored-waiting-boy-smiley-em.gif, Birthing, Weaning, and Raising Young Sheep. My friend also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays. Average weight for the Cheviot is 130 175 pounds. Do you want to earn multiple income streams from your flock. While it is estimated that hair sheep comprise only 10 percent of the world's sheep population, their numbers are growing, especially in temperate climates like the United States. The Dorpers get so quiet and even a little lazy that the dogs really have to work hard to make them move much. You will always need to make compromises if you choose to have a purebred flock. Since hair sheep dont have a heavy wool coat, they cant take the cold. I have no way of weighing him. 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. There is the wool type and the hairtype with the hairtype being slightly less meaty but far better shedding. The Dorper is not a true hair sheep, but is included in this fact sheet because it is used in cross breeding programs involving hair sheep. Plainview, Tx. Very tolerant of the humid hot conditions in the Carribean andSomolia, Blackhead Persians have a white body and black head. While I cant speak for other hair sheep breeds, Katahdin sheep are often more flighty than many other breeds: Several producers of both hair and wool animals have found coyote losses are considerably lower with Katahdins. Ten percent of sheep breeds are hair breeds but ninety percent of these are found in tropical areas. If you are interested in bringing a herd of small livestock to your homestead, you will want to look into both sheep and goats. i do not want to cull her from the flock! When the price of raw wool fleece is below the cost of shearing the animal, this is not cost effective. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. 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. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Breed is docile and calm with good flocking instinct. Often, when a new breed or type is rising in popularity, careful breeding can fall to the wayside in the haste to have stock to sell. To appeal to ethnic buyers, it often requires a change in flock management. Sheep Breeds - UF/IFAS Extension 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. Keeping Boer Goats: 5 Biggest Disadvantages, 4 Best Places with Sheep for Sale in Missouri, They are easy to breed and commonly give birth to multiple lambs, They arent great for milk or wool production, They dont require shearing, tail docking, or crutching, Lambs take a little longer than some breeds to reach market weight. In another study conducted by Gamble and Zajac for the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA and Virginia Tech, the scientists found that St. Croix "demonstrated high levels of acquired resistance to Haemonchus contortus under conditions of experimental or natural infection."
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