The Vision
Sheep and lamb production in Canada has a very strong future. The Ontario Sheep Marketing Association estimates that there is sufficient market and slaughter capacity in Ontario alone for an additional 50,000 head. Other provinces also foresee an opportunity for expansion.
Also
take into consideration the various benefits of sheep and lamb production,
such as:
- Low input costs
- Strong market
- Expanding Canadian and international markets
- No need for expensive quotas
- Ease of handling
- Good foragers
- Various breeds suited to different climates
- Less damaging to the environment than other livestock
- Support of various producer organizations (see OSMA)
Keeping these points in mind, it is safe to assume that the industry will continue to see strong growth over the long-term.
In addition to the many benefits of lamb production, we see a tremendous opportunity in breeding Dorpers for commercial operations and breeding stock. The Dorper’s ability to thrive in the harshest climates makes it extremely versatile – from its origins in South Africa, to the humid climate of South America, or the colder temperatures of the Northern Hemisphere, the Dorper can be found just about anywhere. It will convert just about any type of forage into body-mass, and quickly! This makes it ideal for early marketing and for filling potential market shortfalls. The breed is also very fertile, with lambings possible every 8 months (or 3 times in 2 years). The ewes are excellent mothers: they produce plenty of milk, and they’re very protective of their young. The lambs are extremely vigorous immediately after birth, and are often seen eating forages within just a few days. Dorpers are also very docile and easy to handle, so flock management is fairly straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of input.
With more and more producers realizing the potential of the Dorper breed, and international markets developing at a remarkable rate, Dorpers will undoubtedly be a world leader in lamb production by the end of the 21st century.
At Trillium Dorper Ranch, our goal is to provide top-quality Dorpers that consistently excel in the show ring, fetch the highest prices at sale barns, display genetic resistance to common diseases, are in excellent health and demonstrate superior weight-gain ratios.
Trillium Dorper Ranch – Breeding Quality, Breeding the Future…