He may only be 11, but Pat York is already running his own sheep stud on his family’s property in Bowenville near Dalby. Pat said the reason he called his stud Wellspring, was because it means a source of continual and abundant supply. “My long term goal is to be...
Amarula Dorpers of Gravesend have reached new heights at their 21st annual on-property sale by setting an impressive new top price of $50,000. The family-operated stud cracked the half century with Amarula 221391 selling to return buyers Phil and Trish Palmer, Ivanhoe. The stud defined the current slump in the prime...
Excerpt from The Land: Times were tough in the sheepmeat industry in 2023. Yet the terminal and maternal ram market was able to counter a major commercial market downturn to perform remarkably well. The National Trade Lamb Indicator dropped nearly 50 per cent in 2023, from 811c/kg in January to...
If you always buy ‘bits’ of systems, you’ll end up with a pile of jigsaw pieces that don’t form any complete picture. You don’t go out on a Friday night to buy a steak and chips with a pint of beer, each from a different pub! So why do most...
The Northern Biosecurity Group (NBG) is one of 14 Recognised Biosecurity Groups (RBGs) established in Western Australia that help landholders manage declared pests on their properties. The group operates in the mid-west of WA, within the shires of Northampton, Chapman Valley and the City of Greater Geraldton, and covers...
Winrae Dorpers has been breeding structurally correct, fertile Dorpers since 1999. Stud breeders Nick and Mel Pagett focus on breeding and raising Dorpers naturally, with their approach founded on 24 years’ experience in breeding Dorpers in arid western and high rainfall eastern areas of NSW. Winrae Dorpers is now based...
Dorper breeders can use several selection indexes, provided by Sheep Genetics, when selecting animals to improve their flock’s genetic gain. Of the available selection indexes, the Maternal Carcase Production (MCP) and the Maternal Carcase Production Plus (MCP+) are well suited to maternal based operations including Dorper flocks, as they focus...
Nomuula Dorpers and White Dorpers Stud produces sound, highly fertile robust Dorpers where “size and length does matter”. Established in 2012, the stud has been built on the best foundation ewes – Type 5 and Type 4 – initially sourced for achieving excellence and following the breed standard, with a...
Dorper mothers are renowned for being fiercely protective of their young. However, the threat of predators – foxes, feral pigs and others – pose enormous risks to the animals at their most vulnerable times – mothering. We asked our members to share their insights into how they use guardian...
Image: Containment pens have been a game changer for St George producers, Jeff and Wendy Betts. St George White Dorper producer Jeff Betts is not afraid to implement change – even when battling the extremities of Mother Nature. Together with wife Wendy, the couple breed White Dorpers on 12,000...
