 In
South Africa during the 1930's there was a surplus of slaughter
sheep that could not be exported due to poor carcass quality. It
became apparent that a new breed was needed, that could be raised in
the drier areas of South Africa and produce a higher quality lamb
carcass.
By 1942, exprimentation had produced the Dorper, it was a cross
between a Dorset Horn Ram and a Black Headed Persian Ewe. The
Dorsets meat carcass, combined with the Persian thriftiness in poor
conditions was the result.
The Dorper can produce up to three lamb crops with low mortality
rates in a two year period. Dorpers also have great carcass quality,
parasite tolerance, and shedding of coat in both extensive and
intensive conditions.
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