~Ann, Your email address will not be published. As one of the most populous sheep breeds in America, the Suffolk is a popular choice for meat producers. 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. A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. 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. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes have good mothering ability and lamb easily unassisted. They are excellent foragers. Katahdin Dorper The Dorper is a mutton breed of hair sheep developed in the 1930s. You will want to take into account the mature size of the animal (you can expect to yield 40% of an animals live weight in meat), the quality of meat, and whether it will tolerate your climate. Dorper sheep do well in warm, arid climates, but can tolerate cold as well. 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. Suffolk ewes reach between 180-250 pounds, while rams can top out at 350 pounds. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.4 lbs daily with good nutrition. I really like all three breeds. or you can contact me at- These include: Dorper sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means raising them for meat is your only option. Fourteen years ago my wife got into the sheep business when she purchased three registered Katahdin ewes, a ram, and later, three Romanov ewes. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. 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. The Dorper grows more wool but self-sheds annually. Royal White Sheep: Characteristics, Uses, Origin - ROYS FARM Originally publishedin sheep! 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. Weight Gain/Daily: 1 pound under intensive production. The Katahdin is another great dual-purpose breed, producing on average 210 liters of milk per 210 day cycle. I direct sell a great number of lambs. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. They were called Africans at the time. If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. In California prices for hair sheep have surpassed prices for wool sheep and in New Holland they are catching up. Glenn Land Farm Dexter Cattle & Dorper Sheep Many ethnic groups want a much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the past. Bosnians want 60-pound animals while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals. As a result, the Katahdin is the most common hair sheep in America. We have eight foot Scotch Pines that look like a girdled palm tree and have seen them strip an old dried Christmas tree of its needles. One of the oldest breeds of sheep, the Tunis is still a favorite breed for meat production. No wool to deal with makes perfect economic sense. Now meat sheep producers are lucky if wool prices cover . The main differences between these two breeds are the colors available, and what they can be used for. Early maturing Terminal cross lambs. How do you decide which breed is right for your needs? The Katahdins in the study had a consistently less barber pole worm infestation rate compared to the Dorper and Dorset crosses. For several years weve had Romanov/Katahdin crosses. Dorper Sheep. I could always pick out the dorper/katahdin crosses. Just like to make a comment. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses At Stoneheart Farms we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. HARDINESS What You Need To Know. I had on occasion lambs butchered that exceeded 110 pounds. 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. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. They do produce wool, and need to be shorn on a regular basis. Forty-six Dorper, 46 Katahdin, and 43 St. Croix female sheep (initial BW of 58, 59, and 46 kg, respectively, SEM = 1.75; 3.3 0.18 yr of age, 2.6 - 3.7) from 45 commercial farms in four regions of the USA (Midwest, Northwest, Southeast, and central Texas) were used to evaluate responses to high heat load index (HLI) conditions in a central . To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. Considered to be the 2nd most popular breed of sheep in the US, the Dorset sheep is another solid meat-producer. St. Croix Sheep have been used to develop other breeds such as the Royal White. 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. Culling the genetic faults and only keeping the best rams for breeding will ensure a good future for any new hair sheep breeds. Some of the ancestors of these breeds originated in Africa and were brought to the Caribbean Islands, Central America and northern South America during the 18th and 19th century. Why they are Crossed - YouTube 0:00 / 4:43 Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. Wondering whether to add Dorper or Katahdin sheep to your homestead? You have to pay to have it sheared once a year. Icelandic Sheep are excellent and reliable breeders, breeding seasonally in the Fall to Winter. What is the Ideal Weight for a Market Lamb? - Cornell Small Farms 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. Katahdin Dorper cross ram lambs for Sale - Highnote Alabama Hello! In 2001, my friend with Polypay paid $2 to shear $.50 worth of wool per animal. Market Weight/Live/Age: 60 80 lbs / 9 month. As they say, the proof is in the pudding eating. You can overcome this by making sure your walls are high enough, and that there is nothing in their enclosure that they can climb onto. I forgot to ask for notification via e-mail, so I am reposting my questions. Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. This breed was imported in the US in 1904 and was crossed with Mouflon (wild sheep), Rambouillet and other European breeds to produce what is known as American Blackbelly. This is down to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver. While many of the characteristics hair animals possess appeal to the hobby flock owner, we expect an animal to make us money; if it doesnt, its gone. my ewe with CL has had her first batch of lambs last month and she is a really good mother! These breeds are called hair sheep because the coat consists of hair more like that of cattle and many goats rather than wool. There was only the body fleece that needed shearing. 7 year old Katahdin ewe . (Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with a 130-pound cocklebur.). One of the first breeds to be recognized for its commercial production, the rams can reach more than 250 lbs. Blackbellys often breed easily and well, usually birthing multiple lambs in one breeding. We are in the process of installing another 10,000 feet of electric fence on 25 acres that will result in another nine paddocks. Hair sheep breeds are growing in popularity as consumers look for economical ways to raise homestead meat animals. This breed averages in maturity at around 175 220 pounds. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes are docile with good mothering ability. They will stand on their hind feet like goats to strip any low hanging limbs of their leaves. This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to. J. Anim Sci 77:215-222. its ok to wean the lamb as soon as possible. For us, the Katahdin sheep breed fits our operation and our philosophy quite well. His website address is www.whitecloversheepfarm.com. We are currently using rams with high shedding scores, while culling heavily on production traits. You can check my blog at Merino sheep for sale. For registered breeding stock, permanent wooly fibers are a no-no. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. Royal White (Dorper x St.Croix) There are three main reasons to raise hair sheep. Why Katahdin Sheep - stoneheartfarm Making Natural Clothing Dye From Vegetables. Cheviots are easy to breed, meeting a 90% lambing average without assistance. However, they all shed around the belly, legs, head, and all the other places that would otherwise prolong shearing. Katahdin is probably the more economical choice, however, namely because they can produce both meat and milk. Dorpers tend to be a little larger, and Katahdins are excellent mothers, so a Dorper /Kathadin cross is nearly perfect. Lambs are efficient producers of meat. This may or may not be the case in other states. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 120 - 160, Ram = 180 250. Im sure by now you have an answer. Unlike meat goats, hair sheep are resistant to many of the parasites shed by cattle. Thank you for stopping by, and best of luck with your farm! The other half needed shearing. 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." Produce large amount of milk. This is a very good article to read and understand the secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep. "We liked their look," Ruby puts in. Vigorous growers, the Icelandic produce lambs that are market-ready at 70-100 pounds in as little as 4-5 months. The Katahdin breed has hair instead of wool, and that means less work, according to the couple, who raise the sheep near Perham, Minnesota. $300. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. I have a black face ewe and she is very fat and is 7 months old, should I be worried about her having a lamb and is she old enough to get in lamb. Grading up to Dorper. Newbie trying to decide (Katahdin, Dorper, or St. Croix) Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. Two varieties of Dorper Sheep were created: the black headed Dorper and an all white variety, the White Dorper sheep. Breed utilization for meat production in sheep. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. And does anyone have experience with katahdin ewes on dorper bucks . History tells us our present-day sheep are derived from the wild Mouflon sheep, among others, that grew coarse hair with a downy undercoat. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 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 web-accessibility@cornell.edu for assistance. I raise all my sheep and lambs strictly on pasture and feed no grain whatsoever. We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful. The number of feedings can be reduced over time to twice a day by 3-4 weeks of age. Parasitol. Very interesting and informational! I have a very small Dorper ewe, she is 7 months old but very small. . In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 3 year old Dorper Katahdin Ram - farm & garden - by owner - sale May 23, 2011 #3 Beekissed Herd Master Joined Aug 3, 2008 Messages 3,634 Reaction score 5,536 Points 453 Location mountains of WV Many Greeks eat lamb for Easter, which is not always the same date as the traditional Easter. Disposition & Mothering Ability: This breed is a bit flighty. 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. Hair sheep primer . Between their size and their courage, llamas may seem intimidating at first. November/December 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy. Blackbellys have hair and not wool, making them a low-maintenance breed. But the pasture littered with wool as I had feared just did not happen. They are seasonal breeders, conceiving in the Fall and Winter. 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. Generally, hair breeds are more heat tolerant than wool breeds. My wife and I feel theres no best breed, but rather which breed best fits your operation. Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. It is actually a hybrid which is bred for producing more meat, less fat and less wool with the goal of producing lean tender meat. Katahdin sheep are one of several hair breeds, the most common of which includes Barbados Black Belly, St. Croix and Dorper sheep. Katahdin can be used for both meat and milk, whereas Dorper sheep are only good for meat production. 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. Next Page: Flock ID Last Name First Name Farm Name Address City State . Sheep and cattle have different grazing needs and preferences, and the sheep will clean up the growth that doesnt appeal to the cows. I recently purchased 4 ram lambs for meat. While both breeds are exceptionally popular in the US, there are some differences between the two. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Environmental Adaptability: Withstand higher heat and humidity than British sheep breeds. 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. Sheep 201: Hair sheep primer However, as the challenge escalated, parasite resistance was greatest in St. Croix lambs, followed by Katahdin and Dorper lambs. Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. Sales at the 2022 mid America Dorper Show nearly broke $1 MILLION with the top Dorper ewe bringing $20,000 and ram $12,800. Ive spent my entire life around farm animals, and I created Savvy Farm Life to share the helpful information Ive learned over the years. Beginning in the mid-1950s, Piel imported three St.Croix sheep. We currently have about 100 ewes. Dorper sheep are exceptionally popular amongst both hobbyists and commercial homesteads. Suffolk grow wool continuously, and will need to be sheared annually. Because of the wool, the Icelandic sheep do need to be sheared once to twice per year. 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. There are a few characteristics you will want to look for when choosing a meat-producing sheep. This breed was developed after 20 years of breeding and selection. The customers, including the many ethnic customers, caught up and appreciate the milder flavor of hairsheep. Dorper sheep Revolutionizing the meat sheep industry Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. It was a fairly bold move at the time since it meant giving up on the customers who bought breeding stock from me, and since I also didnt know how well my market lambs would sell. Though the breed produces wool (and lanolin), it is known to have a particularly mild taste. Baby Sheep: What a Baby Sheep is Called & Other Fun Facts. How do you collect wool from self-shearing sheep? 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. Today I have 1/2, 3/4, 7/8th, and 15/16th White Dorper sheep. 109:265-275. I am new to the sheep business so I am concerned that she will never be large enough to breed. Most lambs are considered market-ready by 9-12 weeks. We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. 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. 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. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic, management, climate, etc. This article first appeared in the May/June 2010 Hobby Farms. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. Choosing breeding stock with this in mind can avoid this problem. Sheep: Dorper, White Dorper and Australian White Sheep Exports To showcase the commercial qualities of our animals, all breeding stock we sell comes directly from pasture, having received no special treatment. In this useful guide, youll discover the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, alongside advice on choosing the best type for your farm or homestead. Katahdin Sheep - MAD-KETTLE FARM - KATAHDIN SHEEP AND DEXTER CATTLE The Katahdin Sheep is a domestic breed developed in Maine in the United States and named after the highest peak in Maine, Mount Katahdin. Sheep Breeds - UF/IFAS Extension Tunis sheep are known to have an excellent flavor of meat. However, since Dorpers can also be found further North in colder climates, I am sure that a lack of winter hardiness is not a trait applying to Dorper sheep. Like the Dorper, Dorset ewes are able to breed year-round and are not limited to a typical Fall/Winter breeding season. Because of their hair, like the Dorper they do not produce lanolin which will give their meat a milder taste. This is a very old article and I do not have the contact info for John. 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.
Sheraton Parsippany Events, Classic Car Shows 2022 Near Me, Articles D