Here at Edgar Ranch our primary breed of sheep is Production Dorset. It is important to us that we make a distinction between our sheep and those typically seen in the show ring. Although both are registered Dorset's, there is a huge difference in breed type.
Some Background
A number of years ago, fifteen or twenty, some people who show and judge sheep decided bigger was always better - in most cases bigger meaning taller. To this end judges started placing taller sheep at the top of the class. In their quest to do well at the shows a few breeders decided to take a shortcut to taller and crossed their Dorset's with other breeds, mainly Columbia. This of course caused other breeders to cross their sheep in order to remain competitive. Thus began a downward spiral for the Dorset breed in our opinion. The resulting modern day show Dorset only vaguely resembles the original Dorset breed and in the process has lost many of the wonderful qualities for which the breed is known. Unfortunately, this is also the only Dorset many people see.
Production Dorset Traits
The modern day Production Dorset, while larger than Dorset sheep of the past, still maintains breed characteristics for which the Dorset was originally bred. They are a dual purpose, moderately sized, easy keeping sheep with extreme muscling. Production Dorset's produce excellent carcasses for meat, sires for commercial or registered flocks and high quality replacement ewes. They have a quiet disposition that makes them easy to handle. They are excellent mothers and milkers who lamb easily and do well in a pasture situation or more intensive confinement operation.
Ewe lambs mature early and if desired, with good care, most will breed to lamb at 12-14 months. Ewes will lamb almost any time of year making them perfect for accelerated lambing. It also gives the shepherd flexibility in planning for marketing, weather, labor availability and forage growth. Mature ewes lambing once a year in the spring can attain close to a 200% lamb crop. Fall lambing will result in a somewhat lower lambing percentage. Ewes managed for accelerated lambing (3 lambing in 2 years or 5 lambing in 3 years) will have a lower lambing percentage in each lambing period, but a higher annual lambing percentage. For producers who desire a higher lambing percentage Dorset's can be crossed with one of the prolific breeds such as Finnsheep. This results in a brood ewe with less muscle than a purebred Dorset who can lamb at 250-300% and retains the ability to lamb out of season or on an accelerated schedule.
Production Dorset lambs can be marketed for meat at many weights. As lightweight lambs (30-50 pounds) they produce outstanding Easter and Christmas lambs. At 70-100 pounds they are well suited to ethnic markets and taken up to 115-130 pounds they are ready for the traditional market. Properly fed lambs will finish at 115-120 pounds with .15-.20" back fat.
After nearly 20 years raising Production Dorset's we still believe they are one of the best breeds available for commercial or registered production.
