The Dormer Breed
Overview:
The name "Dormer" is an abbreviation of the linkage "Dorset-Merino".
The origin of the Dormer from a cross between Dorset Horn rams with German Merino ewes
(presently known as the SA Mutton Merino) was a direct consequence of a series of extensive slaughter
lamb experiments carried out at the Elsenburg Research Station of the Department of Agriculture of South Africa
since 1927 over a period of more than ten years.
The main object with the development of the Dormer was to breed a mutton breed which could adapt to conditions
in the winter rainfall area of South Africa (cold and wet) and from which suitable rams could be produced
for cross breeding purposes. The aim was a slaughter lamb breed which could produce meat rapidly and economically.
A contributing factor in the development of the Dormer was to breed a sheep of which, at the Smithfield market
in England, the lambs could compete with slaughter lambs from Australia and New Zeeland, the reason for this being
that the local market was very depressed and precarious during the depression years.
Although the Dormer originated as a result of the need for the production of slaughter lambs in the Western Cape
and Southern Cape regions having been identified, the Dormer is today distributed throughout South Africa.
A few large flocks are still being run in the Western and Southern Cape, but the majority of Dormer breeders are
currently domiciled in the Free State and Gauteng provinces.
Why Dormer ? The Dormer is well known for its high fertility, excellent mothering abilities, long breeding season and easy lambing.
As a result of abovementioned characteristics the Dormer is one of the most efficient mutton breeds in South Africa.
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Carcass Quality
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Functional efficiency
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Compulsory Performance Testing
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- Maximum meat for money
- High slaughter percentage
- Early marketable slaughter lamb
- Excellent results in feedlots
- Good feed conversion ratio
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- High fertility
- Lambs easily (small lambs at birth)
- Re-conceives easily
- Good mothering qualities
- Multiple births
- Long breeding season
- Suitable for cross and pure breeding
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- Scientific approach
- Performance testing implemented for many years
- First breed to provide performance data for rams presented at National Sale
- First sheep breed with BLUP figures
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