SIGNIFICANT CHARACTERISTICS

Meat Production

+ Dorper Sheep excel at meat production.

* Efficient reproduction

A high rate of reproduction is essential for maximum meat production.

* Dorper sheep are fertile and a high number of ewes become pregnant early in the breeding 

  season.

* Eight month lambing intervals are naturally possible since Dorpers are not seasonally

  limited.

* Multiple births are not seasonally limited. Under range conditions in South Africa, 150%

  weaned lambs is possible with pasture lambing. With improved conditions, 180% can be

  achieved with the possibility of an eight-month cycle for 2.25 lambs or more per year. This

  also extends the marketing possibilities.

+ Weight Gain

* Dorper lambs grow rapidly on the abundant supply of milk and their ability to graze at an

  early age. At an age of 3-4 months, a live weight of 80 pounds or greater can be achieved

  on pasture.

+ Carcass Quality

* Dorper slaughter lambs are highly sought after both on hoof and the hook.  In 1990 at the

  International Expo in Bloemfontein, South Africa, 120 entrants entered 1200 animals of all

  breeds. Six hundred were slaughtered with eight of the top 10 places won by Dorper and

  White Dorper carcasses.

  The brand name DIAMOND DORPER has been used to market the best quality carcasses

  in South Africa and is a meat highly sought after in the market.

Adaptability

+ The Dorper breed was developed for the dry ranges of South Africa but have proven themselves

  from low to high rainfall areas. Many Dorpers are run in 10-15 inch moisture areas. They also

  perform well under higher rainfall areas as we have here on the West coast of Oregon. Dorpers

  are currently thriving in Canada and northern United States climates.

Hardiness

+ Non-selective grazing habits and their inherent hardiness have produced a meat sheep that is

  second to none under some very adverse conditions. Foraging habits appear to overlap those of

  goats more than many sheep breeds, as Dorpers will make extensive use of browsing. One

  South African breeder recently purchased a farm in a 4-inch rainfall area for Dorper production.

Range Utilization

+ Dorper sheep can be used to convert underutilized feed sources or grazing to high quality meat

  because of their strong non-selective grazing habits. They will forage widely and independently,

  therefore, are an excellent breed for fenced ranges.

Mothering Ability

+ Most Dorper sheep are pasture lambed so there have been years of natural selection for

  excellent mothering qualities. The ewes are fond of their lambs and produce large quantities of

  milk to raise quality twins.

Minimal Care

+ The Dorper requires minimal labor to manage. The coat is a mixture of wool and hair that is shed

  to varying degrees. In North America shedding appears to be somewhat dependent on season of

  birth, climatic conditions and genetic variation. After the first year shedding appears to be more

  complete. The skin commands a premium price in South Africa due to its greater thickness.

  Dorpers respond to cold by growing a thicker covering.

Temperament

+ Dorpers are even-tempered sheep, which makes them easier to work. Due to their low set, bulk

  and determination, they can be interesting to set up. We have found them easily halter broke and

  rams easily trained to be caught in breeding pastures.