DOPER AND MERINO SHEEP
Merino Sheep
The Merino sheep is a very important and popular breed of domestic sheep. It was originated in Spain and it is highly prized for it’s wool. The modern Merino sheep were domesticated in Australia and New Zealand. Sheep were introduced by the Phoenicians from Asia Minor into North Africa. And the foundation stocks of the Merino might have been introduced by the Marinids, a tribe of Berbers in Spain as late as the twelve century. Although there were reports of the breed in the Iberian peninsula before the arrival of the Marinids; perhaps these came from the Merinos or tax collectors of the Kingdom of León, who charged the tenth in wool, beef jerky and cheese.
The Spanish breeders introduced English sheep breeds, which they used and bred with the local sheep breeds for developing the Merino sheep in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Most of the flocks of these animals were owned by nobility or the church. And the flock grazed the southern plains of Spain in winter and the northern highlands in summer. The Merino sheep is the foundation stock of many well known and modern sheep breeds. And today, they are available in many countries, almost throughout the world. Read some more information about this sheep breed below.
Physical Characteristics
Merino sheep are medium sized animals with very beautiful appearance. They can be either polled or horned. The polled version has no horns, or has very small stubs, known as scurs. And the horned version has long and spiral horns, which grow close to the head. Carcass size of these animals is usually smaller than that of the meat sheep breeds. As a medium sized animal, average live body weight of the mature rams is around 80-105 kg. And the mature ewes on average weight around 55-80 kg.
Uses
Merino sheep are wool sheep breed. They are raised primarily for wool production. But they are also good for meat production.
DORPER
Although the Dorper breed was declared indigenous to South Africa, it has found its way all over the world in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, The United Kingdom, Middle East, China, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, Argentina, South America, Mexico, United States, various African countries, Israel and Namibia, where farmers now farm with this magnificent breed because of its outstanding qualities.
Special features of the Dorper
- Excellent meat quality
- Great weight gain
- High fertility rate
- High twin rate
- Outstanding carcass quality
