By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor MARYSVILLE, Ohio — As a relatively unfamiliar breed in the sheep industry, Dorper sheep, best known for their hair/wool combo are really starting to turn heads in the Midwest, according to Lisa Green, a producer from Indiana.
To satisfy the urge to learn more about the breed new to the United States in 1995, the Ohio Valley Regional Dorper Association will host its first annual Dorper Day and Commercial Sale at the Union County Fairgrounds in Marysville, Ohio on Sept. 8.
“We’re encouraging people interested in learning more about Dorper sheep to come on out on Sept. 8,” said Green.
“There are a lot of advantages to the Dorper breed, it’s definitely worth checking them out.”
According to Green, Dorpers are a hair type sheep, meaning they shed their hair in the spring and as opposed to wool type sheep they don’t need to be sheared.
“It’s actually a hair/wool combo,” explained Green. “Other than on their back though, they don’t really have any wool on them.”
During Dorper Day, experts and breeders will discuss other advantages in raising Dorpers or even crossbreeding with other domestic breeds.
“Anymore it’s not really cost effective to shear sheep,” she said. “This gives another cost advantage to raising Dorpers.”
Additionally, Dorpers, traditionally raised as a meat breed, are known for their mild tasting meat, which is lower in cholesterol than other lamb breeds, Green noted.
Other interesting features of the Dorpers include their unique reproductive and breeding abilities.
“Normally sheep are seasonally breeders and only can be bred once a year,” Green added.
“Dorpers can be bred all year long, and if you time it just right you can get two lambs a year.”
Info session and sale
Following the informational session at 10 a.m., there will be a break for lunch at noon and then an opportunity to view the sale sheep and meet with the breeders.
“We welcome commercial and hobby breeders and just in general, people interested in the breed,” Green said.
She added that there are approximately 45 Dorper and White Dorper consignments from across the Midwest, including Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania to attract potential Midwest buyers.
The auction will begin at 3 p.m. with nearly every age Dorper for sale, from three months of age to 36 months. Both ewes and rams will sell, according to Green.
For more details about the sale, contact Green at 765-522-1133. Individuals interested in learning more about the breed can visit www.dorper.org
This farm news was published in the Aug. 29, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
