HIGH fertility has allowed Brett and Lyndall Norris to dramatically increase numbers in their White Dorper operation at Cheddington, Warrumbungle.

The lamb producers, who are now commercial members of the Dorper Sheep Society of Australia, bought their first 253 ewes in February, 2016, when they shifted from a Merino and cross-bred operation.

“Dad was running half Merinos, half crossbreds, but the wool market wasn’t flash”. Mr Norris said.

“We had really good quality merinos, Rosewall Park and Coddington blood, that were cutting 18-micron wool and averaging seven kilograms, but the wool cheque was barely covering the operation. The summers were getting drier and longer, and the Merino’s just weren’t cutting it.”

The couple decided on White Dorpers for the breed’s fertility and low maintenance.

Click here to read the full story by Ruth Schwager for The DSSA liftout magazine.