dorper and white dorper

Dorper and White Dorper

About Dorper Sheep

            The Dorper breed was developed out of necessity. During the early 1930's, South African farmers exported a surplus of mutton and lamb, from the fat tailed indigenous breeds, to London's prestigious Smithfield Market. The carcasses were rejected because the European consumers were accustomed to the high quality New Zealand Canterbury lamb. The South African Meat Board took on the challenge of producing a meat sheep breed that would produce a higher quality carcass and yet, thrive under arid to semi-arid conditions. A breeding project was finalized in 1946 and the Dorper earned a prominent place in the history of South African agriculture. In 1950, the South African Dorper Breeders' Association was formed. Meat Sheep for the Modern Producer.  More...