Academic literature on the topic 'Dorper sheep – Breeding – Namibia'

The objective of this review paper was to review dorper sheep cross breeding with indigenous sheep breed in Ethiopia. The paper reviewed and discussed the history of dorper breed introduction, research and development efforts in crossbreeding and their performance under on-station and on-farm management. Formal survey on farmers perception on Dorper cross sheep indicated that the crossbred dorper sheep have non selective feed behavior and excellent in meat production under farmer`s management. On other study showed that dorper sheep was not meet farmer interest in breeding sheep aspect because of black coat color. The performance of indigenous sheep and their crosses with Dorper varied as per the location, management, farming conditions and percentage of exotic blood level inheritance. Different research output by team of researchers on farm and on station performance evaluation of dorper indicated that crossbreds often outperformed their local contemporaries. Under on farm condition, body weight at different ages was significantly higher in 50% Dorper crosses as compared to their 25% and75% counter parts.On station birth weight of Dorper (3.39 3.8 kg) better than crossbreed (3.0 3.24 ± 0.04 kg) and local sheep (2.36 2.77 kg), respectively.While the mean weaning weight (14 16 kg) and yearling weight (26.95 32.43 ± 0.46 kg) of 50% Dorper crossbreed was better than indigenous sheep breeds. However, crossbred ewes and local sheep breeds did not differ in litter size. Dorper crosses with Afar under on station is not economically important due to lower weight in all aspects. Crossbreeding programs of dorper with indigenous sheep require strong research and development support from public service and non-governmental institutions for sustainable design, optimization, and implementation in clearly defined production environments.

AbstractRed Maasai and Dorper sheep were evaluated for their resistance to gastro-intestinal (GI) nematode parasites (predominantly Haemonchus contortus), productivity and productive efficiency (assessed on a metabolizable energy basis) in experiments undertaken at the Kenyan coast (sub-humid environment) and the Kenya highlands (semi-arid environment). In both ewes and lambs there were few significant genotype by environment (G X E) interactions for either resistance (assessed by faecal egg counts-FEC) or resilience (assessed by blood packed red cell volume-PCV) to GI nematodes. Red Maasai sheep were consistently more resistant (low FEC) and more resilient (high PCV) than Dorper sheep. However, there were significant G X £ interactions for ewe reproductive performance and for ewe and lamb mortality rates and live weights. These interactions were due to very poor performance of the Dorper compared to the Red Maasai in the sub-humid coastal environment and to the much improved performance of the Dorper in the semi-arid environment. When these component traits were combined into estimates of flock productivity and productive efficiency there were highly significant GXE interactions with the Red Maasai sheep being considerably more efficient than Dorper sheep in the sub-humid environment, while in the semi-arid environment there was a negligible breed difference in productive efficiency. The results are discussed in terms of breeding strategies for smallholder farmers and pastoralists managing sheep in low-input systems in sub-humid and semi-arid environments.

Number of not woolly and molty sheep exceeds 60 million throughout the world. Their numbers and their importance is growing, still they have appeared in the past two decades all over in North-America, Australia, New-Zealand and also in Europe. The South African Dorper has been a pioneer among them in Hungary. It was introduced in 2006 in the country. The Dorper sheep is the second largest breed in South Africa, which was developed from the crossing of Dorset Horn and the Blackhead Persian. The aim of the EU Member States in terms of this specific breed is increasing the small populations, improving the productive qualities, in addition to this avoiding inbreeding. However, finding appropriate breeding stock is difficult due to the small size of available populations and also to the suspected common of origin. With the help of various molecular genetic methods we could get a total view of the genetic background of these flocks. Nowadays the most commonly known and used genetic markers are microsatellites, because their applications give fast, accurate and easily reproducible results. There is no specific descriptive information on the genetic background of Dorper populations in the various EU countries , also regarding diversity between populations. Therefore in our work we want to optimize the conditions of applicability of 31 selected microsatellite reactions as a first step of mapping the entire genetic background of the different EU Dorper populations.

Abstract With the decrease of a wool favored market, hair type sheep have become increasingly popular for lamb markets. In Texas, the most popular hair type breed of sheep is the Dorper. Various breed characteristics make the Dorper sheep an excellent candidate for an accelerated lambing system. Reproductive performance of Dorper ewes with various lengths of post-partum interval, during the traditional non-breeding season, was determined. During May (13L:11D), 2+ yr-old multiparous ewes (n = 28) were joined with a fertile ram for 30 d. Weekly blood samples were taken for progesterone analysis. Ewes were blocked according to length of post-partum interval (lamb to ram): short (SPP; n = 10, 100 ± 2.7 d), mid (MPP; n = 11, 130 ± 0.68 d) and long (LPP; n = 7, >200 d). Weaning age of lamb(s) from previous parturition was similar for SPP (62 ± 3.2 d) and MPP (67 ± 0.6 d). Interestingly, 11% of the ewes had a functional CL at initiation of the study (P4 > 1.5 ng/mL). Mean body condition score for SPP, MPP, and LPP ewes were 2.8 ± 0.08, 3.1 ± 0.09, and 3.7 ± 0.08, respectively. Pregnancy rates were similar between MPP (100%), LPP (100%) and SPP (60%). Overall, pregnancy rate was 87% and a lamb crop (lambs per ewe exposed) was 1.3 ± 0.09. Twinning rate for SPP, MPP, and LPP was 20%, 73%, and 43%, respectively. Pregnancy rate in SPP ewes may indicate carryover of the suppressive effects of lactation and suckling. Results suggest a lamb to ram interval of >100 d is sufficient for response to the ram effect and resumption of estrous cycles in a majority of ewes during photoperiod of 13L:11D. We conclude Dorper sheep have the reproductive capacity to successfully meet the production goals of accelerated lambing systems and thus, the potential for optimized lamb production.

Sheep breeding displays high potential, but, in order to maximize productivity, the exploitation of the entire genetic potential of these animals, combined with diets tailored to meet their nutritional requirements, is required. Knowledge on sheep ingestive behavior is important for diet evaluations, which allows for adjustments regarding dietary management, in order to obtain superior productive performance. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the interference of two distinct environments in the behavioral responses of Santa Inês and Dorper sheep breeding activities during the dry period at the Paraíba Cariri region. The study was carried out in the municipality of Caturité, Paraíba, with 20 male sheep, 10 Santa Inês breeds and 10 Dorper breeds. The animals were subdivided into four lots, containing five animals each, and placed in two different environments, in the sun and in the shade. Feeding behavior was determined by quantifying parameters for 10 hours/day, at 5 min intervals. A completely randomized design (CRD) in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme was applied, of two breeds and two environments, with three replicates. The data were analyzed by SAS, applying the chi-square test. The main daily sheep activities comprised alternate periods of feeding, rumination and idleness, and behavioral activities were exhibited the worse results in the sun environment.

The meat qualities of rams of Kalmyk fat tail breed and crossbreeds (1/2 Kalmyk fat tail fat + 1/2 Dorper) in rapid fattening were studied. It has been established that cross-breeding young animals bred by crossing sheep of the Kalmyk fat tail breed with sheep of the Dorper breed have increased growth energy and are significantly higher than purebred peers of the Kalmyk fat tail breed. The live weight of crossbones (1/2 Kalmyk fat tail + 1/2 Dorper) was 6.19 kg more at the age of four months, 11.18 kg more at the age of six months than that of purebred peers. Cross-breeding animals had higher indices of elongation, pectorality, and massiveness, while pure-bred animals of the Kalmyk breed were characterized by higher indices of long-legged and overgrown. The cross-cut rams had high slaughter and meat qualities. After fattening, they significantly exceeded the purebred peers in terms of pre-slaughter live weight by 11.07 kg, by weight of chilled carcass by 5.37 kg, by slaughter weight by 5.18 kg, and by weight of pulp in the carcass by 4.86 kg and by the area of the “muscle eye” - by 3.54 cm2. The young meat products were of high quality. The mass of cuts of the first grade in absolute and relative terms is greater in the carcasses of crossbred rams.

Abstract The objective of the study was to determine effects of the nutritional plane before breeding on performance of different hair sheep breeds. Twenty-five Dorper, 27 Katahdin, and 32 St. Croix ewes with initial BW of 65.6, 65.7, and 54.3 kg (SEM=1.95) and body condition score (BCS; 1–5) of 3.35, 3.29, and 3.09, respectively, consumed wheat straw ad libitum for 11 wk before breeding. Ewes of each breed were divided into four groups, with two groups per nutritional plane (NP). Ewes on a low NP (Low-NP) were supplemented with 0.16% BW (DM) of soybean meal (SBM) and ewes on the high NP (High-NP) received 0.8% BW (DM basis) of 0.25% soybean meal and 0.75% ground corn. Ewes were divided into two groups for estrus synchronization. Four rams of each breed were used, two for the first 17 d of breeding and the other two from d 17 to 34. Conception and embryo mortality were determined by ultrasound imaging at 25 and approximately 40 d post-breeding. Average daily gain and BCS change were similar among breeds, but both were greater for High-NP vs. Low-NP (ADG: 57 vs. -4 g, SEM=8.1; BCS change: 0.22 vs. -0.02, SEM=0.041). Wheat straw DMI was greater (P = 0.01) for Low-NP than for High-NP (2.02 and 1.58% BW, respectively; SEM=0.042) and for St. Croix than for Dorper and Katahdin (P = 0.04; 1.96, 1.68, and 1.74% BW, respectively, SEM=0.060). There were no differences in the number of services or conception (P > 0.05), and no embryo mortality was noted. In conclusion, NP did not influence reproductive performance assessed early after breeding despite differences in ADG and BCS change. This may be due to moderate initial BCS and increased straw intake by Low-NP ewes.

Relevance and methods. The article considers the experience of studying the effect of crossing Kalmyk sheep and dorper sheep-breeders in order to increase meat productivity. Crossbred rams of the experimental group had better indicators than rams in the control group in terms of live weight, depending on the conditions of pasture maintenance. Dagestan has a fifth of the Russian sheep and goat population and a quarter of wool production. In this area sheep breeding has a unique specificity, twice a year cattle are driven from summer to winter pastures and back. The distance between the pasture areas is more than 570 km. Of the total number of sheep, 71.5% falls on the Dagestan mountain breed.Results. To further increase the level of profitability of fine-wool sheep breeding it is of great importance to develop research on the economic and useful characteristics of young Dagestani fine-wool sheep and their crossbreeds with Russian meat merino sheep, depending on the driving and pasture system of keeping.

In recent years, sheep farms in the Lenin-grad region began to increase import from abroad of sheep breed "Dorper" This breed were bred in the 1930s in the deserts of South Africa. Later this breed began to be exported to Australia, the UK and in small quantities to Russia. Breed "Dorper" very precocious, young quickly gaining live weight up to 500 grams per day. Adult sheep reach a weight up to 90 kg or more. Rams can be used as producers from 5 months. Taking into account that, like all meat breeds of sheep, dorpers are very sensitive to drafts, high humidity, dampness in sheep-fields. The object of research- breeding sheep breed "Dorper". The research was carried out in the farm "SP A. Krylov" Leningrad re-gion. Two groups of 3 heads each were formed to treat the rams. In the scheme of treatment of animals of the first (experimental) group, a finely dispersed soft powder (manganese-acid potassium+copper sulfate+ boric acid + streptocide 1:1:3:5) was used, which was applied on the ulcer with the help of a powder blower. For animals of the second group were applied "Konkov ointment". For the rams of both groups were used a short novocaine blockade with an antibiotic (streptomycin) directly under the pathological focus. Repeated treatments were carried out after 3,6,12 16 days. It should be noted that balanoposthitis in rams appears mainly in autumn and spring. The use of complex powders in rams with ulcerative balanoposthitis showed positive dynamics of the course of this disease, re-duces the healing time of the ulcer surface by 3-4 days, compared to the conventional treatment in the farm with the use of "Konkov ointment

This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of FAMACHA© method, correlating with packed cell volume (PCV) and egg count (FEC), as well as to evaluate the clinical signs of Haemonchus sp. infection in sheep from Brazilian Cerrado. Over two years (2017 to 2019), 1,435 sheep were subjected to clinical and parasitological evaluations. Sheep from six breeds (Santa Inês, Dorper, White Dorper, Ile de France, Suffolk, and crossbreed) were subdivided into five production categories (pregnant, lactating, non-pregnant/lactating ewes, breeding males, and weaned lambs). Parasitological evaluations included FEC and coproculture. In the clinical evaluation, all sheep underwent determination of the FAMACHA© score and PCV. Haemonchus sp. larvae were predominant in coprocultures of the flocks (76.4%) and in each animal production category evaluated (69.4 to 84.3%). FAMACHA© method showed high sensitivity (70.6%) for evaluating sheep with scores ≥ 3, and PCV < 23%, and high specificity (97.5%) in animals with higher scores (4 and 5), and PCV < 18%. A negative correlation was observed between FAMACHA© scores and PCV (-0.46) and between PCV and FEC (-0.47), while a positive correlation was observed between FAMACHA© scores and FEC (0.22) (p < 0.01). The vast majority of the animals evaluated (54.5%) were clinically resistant to gastrointestinal parasites. Due to the high sensitivity and specificity, we concluded that the method could be a valuable diagnostic alternative and an ancillary tool in the implementation of selective treatment for helminthic infection in sheep from Brazilian Cerrado.

The study aims to determine the contribution made by available ram growth- and breed standard parameters on the sale price of auctioned rams in Namibia. These findings serve as an indication of the importance ram buyers place on individual parameters in selecting rams for breeding purposes. It furthermore tries to establish whether scientific measurement for the estimation of ram breeding values takes precedence over subjective appraisal. The analysis of the 100 day and 270 day growth performance of the progeny of selected Veldram tested rams were used to evaluate the accuracy of the estimation of ram breeding values and may serve to validate the proper execution of these Veldram tests.

Thesis (M. Tech. Agriculture) -- Central University of Technology, Free state, 2012
Low lifetime rearing success and high perinatal mortality have been associated with small pelvic areas of ewes. Ewes with small pelvic areas are more prone to experience dystocia during parturition and high perinatal mortality. It would thus make sense to include pelvic area as criterion in selecting breeding animals (rams) in an attempt to assure bigger pelvic areas in the female progeny as the heritability of pelvic area ranges between 50-60%. The aims of this study were to develop two instruments to accurately measure the pelvic area and rump slope in small stock, to investigate the hindquarter dimensions and to quantify the relationship between a number of easy to measure external body measurements and pelvic dimensions of Dorper sheep. The pelvic meter developed was pre-tested on 90 sheep prior to slaughtering at an abattoir and shortly after slaughter. The correlation between the pre- and post- slaughter measurements was highly significant (P <0.05; r = 0.85). In this study 272 Dorper and White Dorper rams (5-7 months of age) participating in the Northern Cape Veldram project and 332 young Dorper and White Dorper ewes (±12 months of age) from three different breeders were measured. The inside pelvic area was measured trans-rectally. The rams’ pelvic areas were measured five times transrectally, at 40 days intervals between the ages of 223 ± 41 and 385 ± 41 days of age. The height of the pelvis was obtained by measuring the distance between the dorsal pubic tubercle on the floor of the pelvis and the sacrum (spinal column) on the top. The width of the pelvis was measured as the widest distance, between the right and the left shafts of the ilium bones. The pelvic area was calculated using the π (PH/2)*(PW/2) formula. Other linear body measurements (body height, shoulder height, chest depth, forequarter width, hindquarter width, rump length) as well as body weight were taken. The rams’ rump slope was measured in degrees with an instrument that was developed for this purpose, and the ewes’ rump slope was visually scored on a scale from 1-5 with one being very flat and five being very droopy. The overall mean pelvic area of ewes 35.44 ± 4.89 cm2 and those of the rams 28.22 ± 3.21 cm2 differed with 7.22 cm2. Stud ewes recorded significantly larger (P <0.05) pelvic areas (37.38 ± 4.3 cm2) than commercial ewes (33.92 ± 3.77cm2). Results indicated that there are no significant correlations between pelvic dimensions and other body measurements considered in this study, indicating the need to measure pelvic area directly. Both the pelvic meter and rump slope meter, specially developed for this study, proved to be accurate and relatively practical to use in Dorper sheep.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In terms of its contribution to the agricultural economic activity in Namibia, the small stock industry is the most important sector, second only to the beef industry. This sector makes a significant contribution to the agricultural business in Namibia due to the sector’s exports, its provision of employment, use of natural resources, contribution to GDP and to consumer spending as well as food security. Agricultural activities in Namibia contributed 5.5 percent to Namibia’s GDP, while 70 percent of the population relies on agriculture for employment and day-to-day living. Livestock farming in Namibia is free ranging on natural pastures and therefore produces high-quality meat that is in high demand in both the national and international markets. Small stock production in Namibia is unstable due to the high variability of weather patterns, changes in economic and social environments, unpredictable droughts as well as political and structural changes. Due to the decline in mutton production over the last years, research in the supply economics of the mutton industry in Namibia is important. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between the various price and non-price factors contributing to the supply dynamics within the mutton industry in Namibia. Two hypotheses are tested with the aid of econometric modelling techniques on monthly time series data. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach to co-integration was used to determine the long-run and short-run supply response elasticities towards economic and climatology factors. Results showed a significant long-run relationship between the average Namibian mutton producer price and mutton supply. Results revealed that a one percent increase in the mutton producer price leads to a 1.97 percent increase in mutton supply. Beef producer price, a substitute product to mutton, showed a significant negative long-run effect towards mutton production whereas rainfall showed a meaningful positive long-run contribution to mutton supply. These supply shifters towards mutton production also showed significant short-run elasticities. Results further revealed that the system takes nearly two months to recover to the long-run supply equilibrium, should any disturbances occur within the supply system. The study showed that price-related and climatological factors play a major role in the Namibian mutton production industry. Industry stakeholders and policy makers should therefore incorporate these significant relationships between supply shifters and production output into future decisions and marketing policies to secure a healthy, growing and sustainable mutton industry in Namibia.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In terme van bydrae tot die landboubedryf in Namibië is die kleinveebedryf die tweede belangrikste sektor, net kleiner as die land se grootveebedryf. Die sektor maak ‘n betekenisvolle bydrae tot die landboubedryf in Namibië deur middel van werkskepping, die gebruik van natuurlike hulpbronne, bydrae tot Bruto Binnelandse Produk, uitvoere, verbruikersbesteding sowel as voedselsekerheid. Landbou-aktiwiteite dra by tot 5,5 persent van die Bruto Binnelandse Produk van ‘n land waar meer as 70 persent van die bevolking afhanklik is van landbou om ‘n bestaan te kan maak. Veeboerdery in Namibië geskied ekstensief op natuurlike veld wat lei tot die produksie van ‘n hoë kwaliteit produk, wat hoog in aanvraag is in plaaslike en internasionale markte. Kleinvee produksie in Namibië is onstabiel as gevolg van fluktuasies in weerpatrone, veranderings in ekonomiese en sosiale omgewings, onvoorspelbare droogtes asook politieke- en struktuurveranderinge. As gevolg van die huidige afname in skaapvleis produksie is navorsing in die aanbodkantekonomie van die skaapvleisbedryf belangrik in Namibië. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die verwantskap te ondersoek tussen verskeie prys en nie-prys faktore wat bydra tot die aanboddinamika van die skaapvleisbedryf. Twee hipoteses word getoets met behulp van ekonometriese modelleringstegnieke op maandelikse tydreeksdata. ‘n Outoregressiewe verspreide sloeringbenadering tot ko-integrasie is gebruik om die langtermyn en korttermyn elastisiteite tussen ekonomiese en klimaatsfaktore vir die aanbod van skaapvleis te bepaal. Resultate dui op ‘n betekenisvolle langtermyn verwantskap tussen die gemiddelde Namibiese produsente prys en skaapvleis produksie. Resultate wys daarop dat ‘n een persent styging in skaapvleis produsente prys ‘n 1,97 persent styging in skaapvleis aanbod het. Die beesvleis produsente prys, ‘n substituut vir skaapvleis, het ‘n beduidende negatiewe effek getoon oor die langtermyn op skaapvleis produksie. Reënval het ‘n beduidende positiewe bydrae getoon ten opsigte van skaapvleis aanbod. Hierdie aanbodsfaktore het betekenisvolle korttermyn elastisiteite getoon. Resultate het ook getoon dat die stelsel twee maande neem om te herstel tot die langtermyn aanbodsewewig, sou daar enige drastiese veranderings in die stelsel plaasvind. Die studie het getoon dat prysverwante en klimaatsfaktore ‘n uiters prominente rol speel met betrekking tot skaapvleisproduksie in Namibië. Bedryfsaandeelhouers en politieke leiers sal hierdie betekenisvolle verwantskappe tussen produksie faktore en aanbod uitset in ag moet neem in toekomstige beplanning en bemarkingsbeleid om ‘n gesonde, groeiende en volhoubare skaapvleisbedryf in Namibië te verseker.