The objective of the current pilot study was to evaluate the reproductive performance and health indicators in Dorper, White Dorper, and Tsigai breed ewes managed semi-intensively under European temperate conditions. A total of 544 ewe-year units were observed, with ewes (ranging from 1.5 to 8 years of age) managed under identical rearing conditions for a period of two consecutive production cy...

The objectives of this study were to characterize the performance crossbred sheep and crossbreeding scheme solicit farmers’ opinions about sheep. A total 238 respondents selected from five districts data collected through a personal interview, focus group discussion, measurement animals, field observation. Continuous type analyzed using different procedures SAS, while estimated breeding value (...

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance, carcass traits and economic indicators Santa Inês lambs their crossings finished in feedlot. Thirty whole (10 Inês, 10 ½ Dorper + ¾ ¼ Inês) were used, with 115 days age initial live weight 20.07 kg. kept for 60 receiving sorghum silage concentrate, after which they slaughtered. showed higher dry matter intake water intake, greater dail...

This experiment was conducted to compare meat quality and carcass composition of a diverse sampling of sheep breeds. Finnsheep, Romanov, Dorper, White Dorper, Katahdin, Rambouillet, Suffolk, Texel, Dorset, and Composite (½ Columbia rams to 1/4; Hampshire × 1/4; Suffolk) rams were mated to mature Composite ewes. Lambs (n = 804) were reared intensively, grain finished, and serially harvested over...

This short history of the Dorper sheep traces its background and the steps taken to develop that breed in South Africa. The most important traits considered for the developing of the Dorper are listed and the breeding system outlined. The development of the White Dorper is also detailed and the breed improvement programs are indicated.

Seventeen ixodid tick species or subspecies have been collected from Dorper sheep in South Africa. The diseases transmitted or the conditions caused by these ticks in sheep are discussed. Although Dorper sheep may be infested with the scab mite, Psoroptes ovis, this does not seem to cause production losses. These sheep may, however, serve as a source of mite infestation for woolled sheep. The m...

This study aimed to examine the effects of feeding corn silage inoculated without or with either Lactobacillus buchneri (LB) alone or a combination of LB and Lactobacillus plantarum (LBLP) on the apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, and growth performance of lambs. Thirty Santa Inês×Dorper crossbred intact males lambs weighing 20.4±3.8 kg were blocked by we...