RUNNING a handful of Dorpers is a big change from broadacre farming at Yandilla, but Charlie and Susan Uebergang have eased into it by setting up a unique market, selling straight to the customer.

The Uebergangs have a small flock of just 20 ewes at “Cooleigh”, Irongate, near Pittsworth, using genetics from Bellevue Dorpers, Millmerran.

“When we bought 100 acres near Pittsworth we wanted to run a few cattle and decided we’d run some sheep because the previous owner had Dorpers here,” Mr Uebergang said.

“Dorpers are really practical for us – we looked at them first because we didn’t want anything I had to shear, and the property was already set up for sheep and goats.”

The Uebergangs have now been breeding Dorpers for about 18 months, with good results.

Earlier this year they had the champion pen of lambs at the Pittsworth Show, and were also named most successful exhibitors in the prime lamb competition.

Their focus though, is a paddock to plate system, following on from the family’s success selling beef through a local butcher.

Click Here to read the full story by Ruth Schwager for Queensland Country Life.