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An Overview of My Breeding Program for Dorper Sheep
Welcome! Today, I’m sharing a quick overview of my breeding program for my small flock of Dorper sheep, which I manage on 30 acres.
Topics I’ll Cover:
- Selecting a Breeding Ram
- Preparing Ewes for Breeding Season
- Essential Minerals for Flock Fertility
- Timing the Breeding Season for Optimal Pasture-Based Lambing
About My Farm:
I farm in Northeast Texas, where winters are mild and summers can be extremely hot. We raise purebred Dorper sheep, primarily for meat, alongside a small number of stocker cattle for grass-fed beef. The area receives about 45 inches of rainfall annually, making it ideal for regenerative, pasture-based farming.
My farming system is simple and low-input. Beyond pasture, feed supplements are reserved for emergencies. I don’t engage in broad-based pasture planting or cover cropping. My sheep graze whatever grows naturally, and we see forage quality improve year over year with good pasture management.
I practice rotational grazing using electric fencing, moving the sheep to new paddocks at least twice a week during the growing season. This regenerative approach has been crucial in taking our sheep and land from merely surviving to truly thriving.
While we have a simple two-sided shelter for protection against freezing rain and occasional snow, I aim to keep my sheep on pasture as much as possible throughout the year. I market Dorper sheep for breeding stock to other small farms, and what isn’t sold for breeding is raised as pasture-raised lamb.
Selecting a Breeding Ram:
The ram, or flock sire, is pivotal in upgrading or downgrading the quality of a sheep flock. When choosing a ram, I consider his physical characteristics and the system from which he comes—factors like grain versus grass feeding, climate, and flock health are crucial.
I recommend taking your time to find a high-quality ram, as he can significantly impact your flock. I once traveled 1,000 miles and spent around $3,000 to acquire an exceptional Dorper ram, and it was worth the investment.
Key traits I look for in a Dorper breeding ram include:
- Lowline Body: eg. Short legs.
- Muscular Build: Especially in the hindquarters, which is a prime meat area.
- Long, Deep Body: Ideal for premium cuts of meat.
- Parasite Resistance and Good Hooves: Essential in a high rainfall environment.
Ram-to-Ewe Ratio:
A good ram can service up to 40 ewes per cycle. However, I prefer one ram per 30 ewes to ensure no ewe is missed and to maintain a tighter lambing window. If you only have one high-quality ram, one per 40 ewes is sufficient.
Line Breeding:
I am often asked if you can breed a ram to his female offspring. Yes, you can breed a ram to his daughters, known as line breeding. I do this without hesitation up to 2-3 generations to enhance desirable traits. While some breeders go as far as 8 generations, I currently sell all third-generation ewe lambs rather than retaining them.
Ram Management:
When not breeding, my ram stays in a clean pen with fresh hay, minerals, and water. If you have only one ram, consider keeping a wether for companionship.
Preparing Ewes for Breeding:
Body Condition: Ewes should have a body condition score of 3 to 4 on a 1-5 scale before breeding. Poor condition can lead to complications such as pregnancy toxemia, hypocalcemia, and low milk production. It’s crucial to either cull thin ewes or supplement them before breeding.
Age for Breeding Ewes:
While ewe lambs can start cycling as early as four months, I prefer to breed them at six months, when they’ve reached half their adult weight. This simplifies management as I keep all sheep in one group.
Mineral Management:
Loose minerals should be available year-round. I recommend Redmond Sheep Mineral, available on Shepherdess.com. Selenium is particularly important, especially in high rainfall areas like mine, where the soil is selenium-deficient. Ensure your mineral mix contains at least 45 PPM of selenium to prevent breeding issues, weak lambs, and white muscle disease.
Grain Flushing?
While grain flushing can increase twinning rates, I don’t practice it. Instead, I ensure my ewes are in good condition and graze them on the best pasture available. My focus is on long-term pasture management and culling ewes that can’t twin on pasture alone.
Timing the Breeding Season:
Lambing with the pasture is the safest choice for a pasture based lambing. To “lamb with the pasture,” calculate the breeding time by identifying when your pasture begins to grow and counting back five months. In Northeast Texas, I typically join my rams with the ewes in early October for March lambs.
Breeding Duration:
I leave the ram with the ewes for 51 days, covering three breeding cycles. This tighter window reduces the risk of lambs being born in parasite-heavy months and shortens the duration of lamb watch.
Adjustments in Breeding Timing:
This year, I bred a month earlier, resulting in February lambs. This adjustment yielded several benefits:
- Reduced Parasite Issues: Lambs gained weight before the parasite bloom in June-July.
- Simplified Management: Lambing was complete before spring grazing began.
- Improved Ewe Health: Peak lactation coincided with peak pasture quality, and ewes had better immunity against summer parasites and diseases.
I hope this overview of my breeding program provides valuable insights. If you found this helpful, please give it a thumbs up and check out the next video for a complete look at a pasture-based lambing season on my farm:
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?” Proverbs 27:23-24