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. Thanks for the belly shaking laugh! They are hardy and do well in range. Their main advantage is that they adapt well to hot humid climate where woolen breeds do not thrive well. This information is important to producers and extension agents with an interest in hair sheep. That applies to purebred WD market lambs as well. He can be reached by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com or by phoneduring calling hour specified on his answering machineat 585-554-3313. My customers are also distributors of various sizes who sell mainly at restaurants and their private customers. my ewe with CL has had her first batch of lambs last month and she is a really good mother! Im sorry I cannot help you. 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. 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. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic . Plainview, Tx. In terms of lambing, youll find Katahdins mostly give birth to multiple lambs. Other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn. I have no way of weighing him. 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. To appeal to ethnic buyers, it often requires a change in flock management. To learn more about baby sheep, check out my article Baby Sheep: What a Baby Sheep is Called & Other Fun Facts. In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. Later on I found out that this was the faster route to accomplish shedding in the offspring. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. "Shearing the wool was tough," he recalls, but the price paid for wool nearly covered feed costs. a From the review: Notter, g. 1978. The Dorper originated in South Africa from crosses between the Dorset and the Blackhead Persian. Members List; Customize Search Results Format: Quick Search: Flock ID: Member Name: Farm Name: State: Records 1 - 100 of 1770 records found matching your criteria: All Records : Page 1 of 18 Go To Page . Plans for the future include a larger lambing/working shed-currently under construction, later lambing to reduce cold weather losses (10percentdeath loss for everything combined, stillborn, drowning in water tank, mashed, runts, etc. 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 . There is the wool type and the hairtype with the hairtype being slightly less meaty but far better shedding. Hair sheep breeds are growing in popularity as consumers look for economical ways to raise homestead meat animals. As far as winter hardiness is concerned, I have my sheep out in zero degree weather. 1. The desire to climb mandates the use of a bale ring to prevent excessive waste. I had heard all the negatives about them such as The lambs get too fat, The lambs sell for less money at auctions, The pasture will be littered with wool as these sheep shed, and They get too cold in the winter. 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." 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. A caution when breeding is to choose the right size ram for the ewe. People in the Midwest or southern states see this and make a trip to Alberta to purchase a super ram. Have good flocking instinct. Lambing %: Approximately 125%, exceeding 200% with subsequent lambing. 46:131-143.. Making a Good Ewe Flock. The cross breeding results in the best of both breeds but also in the benefits of heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor. These slaughter lambs sell comparable to pure Katahdin sheep per pound unless theyre full of cockleburs and briars. Katahdin Pedigrees Public Area Members List. With an annual rainfall of approximately 175mm (7 inches), the grazing is mainly scrubland with a stocking rate of 1 LSU per 32 hectare. The breed is actually very good for meat production, and it produce more meat than Dorper and Katahdin 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. Sold all our cattle. My Dorper ram is not really large but he is bigger than her. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. How about Field Corn! Please indicate pricing as well. We have members from Mexico to Northern Canada and have exported to Ecuador, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, Chile, and Central America. The Dorper Sheep is a hardy resilient South African breed of sheep that can withstand various harsh climates, environments and intensive operations. 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. Photo courtesy of:Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. 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. Hair sheep dont bring as much on the slaughter market. Arguments exist concerning the exact origin of the Barbados Blackbelly evidence is shown for both Africa or Barbados. Produce large amount of milk. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 130 140 (Average is 136), Ram = 170 - 200. The first generation grows quite well due to the heterosis effect, but nearly always has a wool coat. For instance, they have extended breeding season, and can be used to produce lambs to be marketed when lamb prices are usually high thereby reducing marketing risks. 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. Forty-six Dorper, 46 Katahdin, and 43 St. Croix female sheep from four regions of the USA were used to evaluate responses to high heat load index (HLI) conditions. Our spring lambs on pasture alone (17-20 percent protein and 65-72percentdigestible organic matter-DOM) will average 55-60 pounds. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. Best guess is he is 175-200 lbs. It is also well established that heavy grain feeding does not suit these medium sized sheep since they thrive on so little. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. Are you interested in raising sheep for meat? There is a growing market demand for high-quality, naturally-fed lamb. Originally, the established buyers at auctions resisted hairsheep in general and they fetched lower prices in places like New Holland. The purpose of the breed is to efficiently produce meat. Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. What You Need To Know. I have some St Croix and they are quite large. Royal White (Dorper x St.Croix) Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. Nick. They are easy care sheep that divert most of their energy into producing meat instead of wool. for info and videos along with books and much more! Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. This spring we had an overall lambing average of 1.9 lambs/ewe born with 1.7 lambs weaned. Research has shown Dorper have good parasite tolerance or resilience rather than resistance. Shear force values were greatest, tougher, for Dorset-sired than Dorper-sired or Katahdin lambs. Im Carmella. Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. He experimented with breeding them to meat breeds, finally reaching a point, in the 1970s, where he named the breed, Katahdins after a nearby mountain in his home state of Maine. I would say try the dorpers.. we only raise a few for there is only us out here. My friend also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays. Mutton is meat that comes from mature sheep over the age of 1 year old. 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Extract Natural Dye for Wool from Goldenrod Plants, Why Teach Classes on How to Knit, Spin, Weave or Felt, Use This Sweater Mitten Pattern to Bring New Life to Old Clothes. Katahdins often breeding out of season. This may be due to the fact that wool can hide a lot of rib bones and other defects, while with a hair sheep what you see is what you get. Many Greeks eat lamb for Easter, which is not always the same date as the traditional Easter. Their hair falls off naturally during the year, making them an easy breed to care for. You can even crossbreed them to develop unique varieties for your farm or homestead. We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful. This breed was developed after 20 years of breeding and selection. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. Subsequent generations with higher percentage shed better and better although shedding is not a black and white thing. Check out my article Best Sheep for Wool: Top 8 Sheep Breeds for Wool. This composite "easy-care" breed was developed from crosses of African hair sheep and a variety of wool breeds with selection for a hair coat, prolificacy, and conformation. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic, management, climate, etc. The Katahdin Sheep is a domestic breed developed in Maine in the United States and named after the highest peak in Maine, Mount Katahdin. The Blackbelly is a smaller breed of sheep, with ewes maturing at around 100 pounds, and rams weighing on average 120 pounds. The first rams I purchased were of outstanding shedding ability. Icelandic Sheep are another popular choice for meat, with ewes weighing an average of 150 pounds at maturity, and rams averaging 200 pounds. A ewes wool will pay her winter feed bill. Dorset sheep thrive in a wide variety of climates, and being wool-producers, they will need to be sheared annually. Lamb chops from Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix lambs were similar to those from Dorset-sired, Dorper-sired, or Katahdin. We had the idea of crossing a Dorper with their 60 Katahdin ewes. The Katahdin and the St Croix give the dogs a little more run for their money, but they are not silly and bounce off fences like some other breeds can even with a lot of handling. May 23, 2011 #3 Beekissed Herd Master Joined Aug 3, 2008 Messages 3,634 Reaction score 5,536 Points 453 Location mountains of WV This is a very good article to read and understand the secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep. In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. HARDINESS The breeds of hair sheep that are of importance in Florida include Katahdin, St. Croix, American Blackbelly, and Barbados Blackbelly. Of the ewe lambs exposed, 95 percent gave birth at the age of 11-13 months. Ive spent my entire life around farm animals, and I created Savvy Farm Life to share the helpful information Ive learned over the years. In many cases, farmers are adding hair sheep to pastures with cattle to maximize efficiency and for parasite control. 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. 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 St Croix are also quiet, but seem to be next on the ladder. Due to the high amount of red muscle fibers, the Icelandic sheep has a uniquely tender and fine texture. They reach sexual maturity very early, with ewes able to breed between 7 to 9 months of age. Originally publishedin sheep! The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. Texel sheep do best in colder climates, as they are exceptionally cold-hardy and have been known to be sensitive to the heat. 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. Theyre too small to be of commercial value. Dorpers are well-known to mature early as well, with most lambs considered market-ready in as little as 4 months old. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7 lbs for small lambs, 4-5 lbs for twin lambs. We prefer using forage to produce lambs rather than wool. This ancient breed has thrived in warm climates, continued to produce twins and good carcass weights. Generally, hair breeds are more heat tolerant than wool breeds. In years past, 18-30 pound lambs sold well in Chicago for Jewish Passover. Your email address will not be published. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. Wondering whether to add Dorper or Katahdin sheep to your homestead? Katahdin Dorper The Dorper is a mutton breed of hair sheep developed in the 1930s. Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. . However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. American Blackbelly 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. There are a lot of advantages to keeping Dorper sheep in the US. They reach sexual maturity early, and will remain fertile for a longer period of time than many other breeds. Half of the group thinks it is okay to feed hot sheep, the other half disagrees. 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). Feed conversion is good since these sheep fatten easily on less than ideal pasture and forage. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses. It improves from year one to year two of age but can again be reduced by external factors like disease or weight loss. 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. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. Mostly Katahdin hair ewes exposed to Dorper and Katahdin bucks. Technical Abstract: I have a very small Dorper ewe, she is 7 months old but very small. I belong to a herding club in Hawaii. When youre raising sheep for meat, the wool is a by-product. The Dorper carcass has a good conformation and fat distribution. One needs to do a detail review of the information related to the hair breed one wishes to raise. For more on the differences, plus potential pros and cons between the breeds, read on. (I know, Im not a good farmer) Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. When it comes down to it, the choice of whether to add Dorper sheep or Katahdin sheep to your homestead is more about personal preference. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. Katatdin x Dorper . I have bought a dorper lamb an intend to serve mountain horny ewes with him has it ever being tried out, hi, I am new to the sheep business so I am concerned that she will never be large enough to breed. After slaughter, all thats left is hide, manure and stomach contents. ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. They are excellent foragers. They started with an idle, tired farm and through years of blood, sweat and tears have transformed it into a vibrant . Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. They also tend to be highly mobile, which means they will climb on top of anything. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, God Save the Beef: Trials of Sustainable Farming in the UK . 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. Sales of sheep meat and sheep breeding stock are on the rise in the United States and Canada. 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. The ewes are also heavy milkers with excellent maternal instincts. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. While there are far fewer cons than there are pros for keeping Dorper sheep, you do need to consider the potential downsides. There are lots of Dorper breeders in NC also, as well as "commercial" crossbreeds: You can search this site by States to find Scrapie-free certified breeders of sheep and goats: The flocking instinct of hair animals generally isnt as good as wool breeds. Have been buying in feed since the start of 2018. Sheep and cattle have different grazing needs and preferences, and the sheep will clean up the growth that doesnt appeal to the cows. While Im sure Ill rile a lot of Dorper breeders, Ive seen too many that had been sheared before a sale, which defeats the purpose of a hair animal. I had on occasion lambs butchered that exceeded 110 pounds. 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 also be interested in bred young ewes. Hi Mary. This breed averages in maturity at around 175 220 pounds. They are excellent mothers. They have incredible growth of lambs at butcher weight within 6-8 months with carcass weights in the 45-60 lb range. These are some of the best reasons to raise Katahdin sheep - though the list is by no means exhaustive! It is common to have ewes lambing twice per year. The Dorper is a good example of this interbreeding. Animals dont grow as fastbut dont need to with milder winters and longer growing season. Crossbred individuals tend to be more vigorous, more fertile . It is more flighty than Dorper, Kathadin and St. Croix breeds. I usually harvest my lambs between 80 and 90 lbs. One of the oldest breeds of sheep, the Tunis is still a favorite breed for meat production. Looking forward to reply. 100 Dorper - Bred Ewes. The Blackhead Persian is a fat-rumped hair breed from the arid lands of the Middle East. They have woolier coats and are slower to shed (most of them). Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. If I took the chance and had her bred would she be able to carry her lamb/s? It is now farmed in other areas as well, and is the second most common sheep breed in South Africa. Ewes with young lambs show protective behavior and may raise front feet to strike dogs and cats when confronted. This article first appeared in the May/June 2010 Hobby Farms. J. Anim Sci 77:215-222. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, buildwithmaple.com. The breed has a thick, well muscled carcass and extended period of fertility. They will stand on their hind feet like goats to strip any low hanging limbs of their leaves. We figured the combination would be a meatier sheep." They bought the ram in 1996 and some ewes the following spring. Ewes typically reach sexual maturity by 7 months. Sheep are like lawnmowers, while goats are more like Bush Hogs (for the uninitiated, that's the brand name for a machine designed to clear heavy brush). ), more intense selection for increased body length and a ewe flock of around 160-175 ewes. Royal Whites are more recent in the hair sheep scene and development is still ongoing. Hi just wondering it may be a silly question anyways can you milk Dorper sheep. In addition, shearing is not a requirement thereby reducing operational cost. The Cornell Small Farms Program is housed at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) in Ithaca, NY, and works in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension across New York State. The reproductive rate of true hair sheep is excellent. The customers, including the many ethnic customers, caught up and appreciate the milder flavor of hairsheep. The Katahdin breed is an easy to care for, meat type sheep, naturally tolerant of climatic extremes and capable of high performance in a wide variety of environments. Just weaned 530 lambs .If we can get some weight on them worth $200+ in current market. As a bit of trivia, the majority of cull ewes the U.S. exports go to the Mexico City area. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. Some are calling these shedding sheep. The mild and yet rich flavor of these culled ewes is remarkable and does not at all remind anyone of mutton. More on that subject later. 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. Dorset sheep have lean and muscular carcasses, making them excellent at producing meat. ( From Buckler Farms near Granville TN) His mom is at least 50% dorper and Katahdin. They can harbor significant worm populations, yet not suffer the same effects a wool animal would. Ive seen Shropshire being used to keep weeds and grass down in Christmas tree plantations. Photo courtesy of: Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. 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. The Dorper has been very effective in increasing the growth rate, carcass size and quality of all the typical hair-type breeds such a the Barbados, Katahdin, St. Croix, the Mexican Pelibuey and other breeds that are considered exotic types. Dries Wiese, the owner and Studbreeder, was 9 years old when his father bought him his first . 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.
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