Transition to DorpersTransition to Dorpers

John Anstee, Lauren Deane,

Breony Moloney, Rebecca Ryan

ImagesMerino: http://www.think-differently-about-sheep.com/sheep_Breeds.htmDorper: http://www.grownlocalok.com/news/grown-local-ok-about-the-breed-of-dorper-sheep

OutlineOutlineMerinos compared to DorpersOptions for enterprisesGross margin comparisonsRecommendationsReferences

Merino vs DorperMerino vs Dorperss Dorpers shed their fleece and thus do not require

shearing, crutching or fly control. This can be achieved when the dorper flock reach at least F4.

Dorpers are known to have a higher fecundity than Merinos with an average weaning percentage of 118% where merinos are 86%.3 ◦ Decreased need for large breeding flock

Dorpers are not seasonal breeders like Merinos and have been known to reach mature breeding age at one year.◦ Reach oestrus at 52 days after parturition therefore

possible to lamb twice per year.2

3. Cloete, S. W. P., M. A. Snyman, et al. (2000). "Productive performance of Dorper sheep." Small Ruminant Research 36(2): 119-135.

2. Snyman, M. A. and M. J. Herselman (2005). "Comparison of productive and reproductive efficiency of Afrino, Dorper and Merino sheep in the False Upper Karoo." South African Journal of Animal Science 35(2): 98-108.

Merino vs Dorper (continued)Merino vs Dorper (continued) Studies have shown the growth rates of Dorpers to

remain relatively constant in large variety of climates and environments, where Merinos vary greatly.

Dorpers have a higher growth rate (44% higher than Merino)2 and mature size than merinos, therefore are more efficient as a meat production breed however also have a greater DSE value (2.72/ewe where Merinos are 2.23/ewe)1

◦ (therefore change from merino to Dorper flock must accommodate this when calculating stocking rate)

1. DPI website <http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/farm-business/budgets/livestock>

Transition from wool to sheep meat –Transition from wool to sheep meat –What options do you have?What options do you have?

• Sell existing stock

- purchase Dorper rams and F2 Dorper ewes

• Upgrade

- purchase Dorper rams and upgrade the existing Merino ewe base

• F1 Dorper rams

- appears to be a less costly option but is not viable

Consider the genetics….impacts on Consider the genetics….impacts on managementmanagement

F1 50/50

F2 75/25

F3 87.5/12.5

F4 93.75/6.25

No shearing from F4

% of Flock Requiring Shearing

Year Dorper/Merino Dorper/F2

1 100 (100)* 100

2 100 (63)* 100

3 100 (12)* 74

4 100 26

5 94 23

6 68 0

7^ 25 0

8 0 0

Source: http://cashdown.com.au

Shearing vs SheddingShearing vs Shedding• When can you stop shearing?

- Doper sire – 8th year- F2/Dorper sire – 6th year

• Heritability of shedding

- moderate heritability (h2 0.34) - selection shedding vs economically important traits

Also consider…

• Dark Medulated fibre (DMF)- DMFRS - Bale descriptions Y K R

Risks and BenefitsRisks and Benefits

sensitivity- drought, price fluctuations

infrastructure performance data

- anecdotal evidence- ASBV Dorper $ Index

organic production- price premiums

- product quality, supply chain, markets

Gross Margin ComparisonsGross Margin Comparisons

Over 10 years, the Merino enterprise provides the best return Between the Dorper enterprises, using a Dorper sire over Merino ewes provides the better returnThe Dorper enterprises’ viability are more heavily influenced by changes in price

  Present value and net present value of investment options per DSE* over 10 years  Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total

Present value factor

0.9547 0.9114 0.8701 0.8306 0.7930 0.7571 0.7228 0.6900 0.6588 0.6289  

Merino$159.8

3$152.5

8$145.6

7$139.0

6$132.7

6$126.7

5$121.00 $115.52

$110.29

$105.29 $1,308.64

F2 and Dorper sire $30.72 $44.50 $38.36 $28.91 $26.03 $22.64 $21.62 $20.64 $19.70 $18.81 $249.52

Dorper sire$156.1

9$114.7

4$74.49 $55.88 $62.03 $53.23 $45.32 $40.47 $40.74 $40.87 $583.38

*interest rate 4.75%                      *optimum enterprise DSE rating: 5750 DSE

RecommendationsRecommendationsBrief overview of the information so farMerino flock gives the best financial return

according to the gross margin Dorper option too attractive?

◦ Which flock structure you should go◦ If you change to dorpers: what to do next

If you are unsure of what to do from this

presentation…

ReferencesReferences Cloete, S. W. P., M. A. Snyman, et al. (2000). Productive

performance of Dorper sheep. Small Ruminant Research 36(2): 119-135.

DPI (2011) <http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/farm-business/budgets/livestock>

Pollott, G.E. (2011). A suggested mode of inheritance for wool shedding in sheep. Journal of Animal Science: (89) 8.

Rose, M. and Bright, R.L. and Quigley, S.P. and Kleemann, D.O. (2000) Fibre Transfer in Merino Ewes Mated with Damara, Merino or Dorper Rams in Central Western Queensland. In: Animal Production for a Consuming World. AAAP-ASAP Conference, 2nd - 7th July, Sydney, Australia.

Sheep Genetics (2011) http://www.sheepgenetics.org.au/ Snyman, M. A. and M. J. Herselman (2005). Comparison of

productive and reproductive efficiency of Afrino, Dorper and Merino sheep in the False Upper Karoo. South African Journal of Animal Science 35(2): 98-108