Dorper Sheep
Dorset and Persian: The Dorper Sheep
Not at all uncommon to the more arid regions of South Africa, and growing at ever steady rates of popularity across the world, the Dorper sheep is a hardy and popular meat animal. The blackhead Persian crossing with the Dorset horn rendered this easy care sheep a mild fawn coloration with a white or black head and short, hairy wool. The creation of the Dorper sheep during the 1930’s spurred a great deal of interest, with its practicality and popularity triggering the birth of the Dorper Sheep Breeders Society of South Africa in 1952. Shedding during the spring and again at summer time, this crossbreed is highly acclimated to very dry and hot regions, and is therefore prized.
It is quite difficult to determine a weak area for the Dorper sheep breed, as all scientific and proven data points toward a successful venture when dealing with these fine, tough creatures. Farmers can allow them to forage freely, as they will consume many tasteless species of plant that the Merino sheep will not. There are so few weaknesses with the Dorset sheep that they have spread even down into the rainforest climates to the southern states of Africa, as well as into Europe. They feed, breed, and grow well under constrained conditions as well, making feed lot farming quite easy also.
The Dorset sheep grows quickly, giving up to 100 additional pounds per 100 days under some conditions, and lamb production is highly favored because of this. There seems to be no real preference of the black head over the white, as the true value of the Dorper sheep lies beneath the short wool. As wool values continue to plunge and the cost of wool processing begins to soar, it is the skin of this breed which brings the greatest profit. It is both thick and soft, offering the utmost in protection to the live sheep, and a plentiful leather market at butcher thereafter. It is estimated that the skin of the Dorper sheep accounts for over 20% of South Africa’s overall economy.
Farmers who are already invested in the Merino sheep find it quite easy to either supplement or convert their operations toward the care of Dorper sheep. They require no fuss and hardly an ounce of labor, giving a lot for a little so to speak. No shearing, mulesing, or crutching are needed. There are also fewer dangers of damaging disease and scarring from bugs and parasites, as this robust breed is rarely effected by common insects, as are the Merino. The black headed variety are still far more numerous than are the white, but either coloration will afford a lucrative and rewarding farming venture.