Dorset Sheep have their Strength in Versatility
Catherine Maybin (PRO Dorsetclub) with Pat finnigan and some Dorset crossbred sheep
Sandra Dobbin with Dorset crossbred lambs
Dorset Sheep have their Strength in Versatility
Many factors have to be considered when choosing a stock ram, it is essential to consider the farming system, the land type that is available and the end product to be marketed. The Dorset breed has a place in almost any sheep enterprise because of its versatility and excellent crossing ability. Having recently visited three very different flocks over a large geographical area, all using a Dorset ram, both as a terminal sire for breeding ewe replacements it has been evident that the attributes of the Dorset come through whatever the situation. Sandra Dobbin has a small flock of around forty ewes which she runs on her fathers dairy farm near Clough village in Co. Antrim. The ewes are suffolk crossbreds and for the past four years she has been using a Dorset ram. She sells her lambs through the market and keeps some Dorset crosses to increase the numbers in her flock. She aims to lamb early, ideally in February/early March which presents no problems for the Dorset as their out of season lambing ability means that they will breed at anytime of the year. This allows the lambs to be ready for selling early in the season, when prices are at their peak and also fits in with the dairy enterprise as the summer grass is then available for the cows and the silage making. Sandra finds that the Dorset lambs are lively at birth, quickly up and sucking and as she lambs outside, if the weather is not too extreme, a hardy lamb is very important. Sandra also finds, that the Dorset cross lambs are easy to keep clean and are fast finishing.
In Co.Down, near Loughbrickland, Brian Copes combines his part time sheep farming with work in the construction industry. He helps on his fathers farm but also has been building up his own flock over the past few years. The family farm is made up of beef cattle and around 100 crossbred ewes. Brian however has always liked the Dorset breed and when he wanted to set up his own flock he bought ten purebred ewes and a ram from a retiring farmer near Newcastle, Co Down. He has crossed the Dorset ewes with other breeds but finds the purebred system suits him best. As he does not have a large acreage available to him the ram runs with the ewes all year round so his ewes lamb approximately every seven months. This frequent lambing system is one important attribute of the Dorset breed. He also finds the ewes are easy lambing with excellant maternal traits and an abundance of quality milk. This makes them sought after as recipient ewes for embryo work and Brian has sold hoggets for this purpose. He has also retained some ewe lambs to increase his flock and the remainder go direct to the meat plant in Dungannon. Brian has been so pleased with his Dorsets that his aim is to keep the stock purebred, but run them on a commercial basis. At the present he is using an aged ram bought 4 years ago from Angus Flemings Drumlin flock, and a young ram bought last Autumn from Robert & Matthew Coulter's Browndod flock.
Another farmer who is enthusiastic about the benefits of using a Dorset ram is Pat Finnegan, from Drumcondragh, Co.Meath. Pats sheep provides the main farm enterprise, but alongside his 300 ewes he keeps 40 suckler cows and a Charolais bull. There are numerous different sheep breeds in evidence within Pats flock and he has used the Dorset ram on many different breeds with excellant results. He finds that the Dorset rams are very hard working and highly fertile, he used one ram with a batch of 60 ewes for lambing in January and again with a second batch of 60 ewes for March lambing with a 100% conception rate. The fact that the rams pass on the out of season breeding characteristic to their female progency means that by retaining Dorset crosses for breeding it is possible to have lambs early, Pat's lambing season begins in mid-January and runs through to March, with the hoggets lambing from 10th April onwards. Like the other breeders mentioned he finds that the Dorset cross lamb easily and are excellent mothers. The lambs are fast finishing and only the January born lambs are creep fed, with the later ones finishing on grass. The lambs go direct to the factory in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo as Pat is a member of the Monaghan Lamb Group.
Although the three flocks mentioned are all very different the versatility of the Dorset breed means that they are playing an important role in each situation. The Dorset is able to thrive and adjust to a wide range of conitions whether it is hill ground or lowland. Also the excellent crossing ability means that the Dorset ram will sire quality prime lambs from any breed of ewe, but with the all important asset of imparting their out of season breeding characteristic to their female progeny. The lambs produced, whether pure or crossbred achieve quick growth rates and produce a carcase much in demand with the retail trade.
The N.I. Dorset Sheep Breeders Club is holding the 40th Annual Premier Show and Sale on Monday 30th July 2012 at McClelland's Livestock Market, Ballymena. Show classes, which have been generously sponsored by Norbrook Pharmaceuticals, begin at 9.30am, followed by the sale commencing at 1.30pm. Catologues and further information available from club secretary on 07841 746705 or McClellands Market on 028 25 633470.
Dorset Crossbred Ewes and Lambs