Breeding - Brocburn Dorpers

Our pedigree Dorpers carry Tien Jordaan, John Dell, Ben Grobbelar and Martin Compion Snr. South African bloodlines. (Figure 1)

In addition to our pedigreed Dorpers, we are also in the process of upgrading having initially mated pedigree Dorper rams to conventional sheep breeds such as Suffolk through four generations, to produce commercial purebreds.

Click here for more information on the sires used

Notes regarding upgrading:

Upgrading by crossing Dorper rams with short wool downs breeds (Suffolk, Southdown etc) as opposed to long wool breeds (Merino, Corriedale etc) can reduce generation time required to achieve satisfactory shedding (Plus you are streets ahead in conformation and meat production if you use any other breed than a merino). Crossing with other shedding breeds such as the Wiltshire Horn will avoid the necessity to shear altogether. Many fat-tail breeders are using Dorper rams across their ewes to produce lambs more acceptable to the domestic trade.

It should be noted that to avoid flystrike first cross (F1) Dorpers typically still require shearing, although some Suffolk F1's have proven to be very good shedders (Figure 2).

Some F2's may shed reasonably well and by third cross most animals have mainly Dorper characteristics (Figure 3).

Dorper genetics imported into Australia have varying ability to shed their fleece and sires that shed well should be sourced if upgrading through the use of wool breed ewes is chosen.

Cross bred Dorper wool has a proportion of dark and medullated (hair) fibres and is of lower value than apparel wools, but is currently actively sought by United Quality Wool for export to China (see United Quality Wool).

There is often a 'colour explosion' with F1 Dorper lambs (Figure 4) but by the second cross most lambs have typical Dorper markings (Figure 5).

Australia has an obsession with white sheep because traditionally merinos have driven the sheep industry and white wool predominates in the apparel trade. Coat colour however has no bearing on meat quality and the main advantage of the Dorper is in its pure bred state as an easy care, low labour input prime lamb producer. Dorper sheep offer an attractive, functional alternative to the wool breeds for those people who do not wish to be part of the wool industry.

Click on the images to enlarge.