D o rp e rn uus • D o rp ernews 2 0 1 2 - Dorper SA

31 

Dorpernuus • Dorper news 2012

Dorpernuus • Dorper news 2012 

32

Table 6. The changes in the body weight, eye muscle area and fat thickness of the M. 

longissimus dorsi (± s.e.) of the four groups 

abc Values in the same column with the same superscript differ significantly (P< 0.05) 

Figure 1. Body weight at different ages 

Figure 3. Fat depth at different ages 

Figure 2. Eye muscle area at different ages 

CONCLUSION 

It is evident from the results that compensatory growth occurred in lambs when they are 

switched from a low to a higher feeding level. Furthermore, this compensatory growth 

will result in more muscle tissue being developed than fat due to an increase in protein 

deposits. Irrespective of feeding level, the differences in M. longissimus dorsi area between 

groups decreased towards the end of the experimental period. However, lambs reared on 

the higher feeding level early in life, retained their advantage over those lambs reared 

on a lower feeding level. The effect of improved feeding regime on fat depth was more 

pronounced than the effect on M. longissimus dorsi area. 

REFERENCE 

Acocks, J.P.H., 1988. Veld types of South Africa. Memoirs of the Botanical survey of South Africa, 57, 1-146. Pretoria: 

Government Printers. 

Atti, N. & Ben Salem, H., 2008. Compensatory growth and carcass composition of Barbarine lambs receiving 

different levels of feeding with partial replacement of the concentrate with feed blocks. Animal Feed Science and 

Technology, 147, 265-277. 

Marais, P.G., Van der Merwe, H.J. & Du Toit, J.E.J, 1991. The effect of compensatory growth on feed intake, growth 

rate, body composition and efficiency of feed utilization in Dorper sheep. S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci., 21, 80-88. 

Meissner, H.H., Hofmeyr, H.S. & ROUX, C.Z., 1977. Similar efficiency at two feeding levels in sheep. S. Afr. J. Anim. 

Sci., 7, 7-15. 

Olivier, W.J. & Olivier, J.J., 2005. Effect of feeding stress on the wool production of strong and fine wool Merino 

sheep. S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci. 35, 273-281 

SAS, 2009. SAS OnlineDoc® 9.2. Cary, NC, SAS Institute Inc 

Thompson, E.F., Bickel, H. & Schürch, A., 1982. Growth performance and metabolic changes in lambs and steers 

after mild nutritional resrricrion. J. Agric. Sci. Camb., 98, 183-194. 

33 



34

This article was placed in the “Farm Weekly” and passed on from Dr. Adrian Veitch 

(President of the Australian Dorper Breeders Society) to Gideon Vivier and then to 

me; although the research was done on cows there are lessons for Dorper farmers 

to learn too. 

NSW BEEF RESEARCH 

DEBUNKS LONG-HELD BELIEFS 

While the economic benefits of selecting for muscle 

in terms of lifting yield in progeny are now widely 

accepted, the latest beef industry research is refuting 

long-held beliefs that compensations are made in 

productivity traits such as calving ease and fertility. 

Research held by NSW Department of Primary 

Industries (DPI) stations at Grafton and Glen Innes, has 

shown significant increases in gross margins per cow 

for high-muscled females with no differences in growth 

rates of calves, fertility, calving difficulties, calf survival 

or milk production. 

Project leader and NSW DPI’s research leader animal 

production, Bill McKiernan, Armidale NSW, said 

muscling in females research had been running for 20 

years. 

With the results of 2 500 matings now in hand, the 

industry could be confident of the findings that one 

muscle score is equivalent to a 24 % increase in gross 

margin per cow (all things such as weight and intake 

being equal). 

Analysis of more than a million head sold in NSW 

showed the trait which had the most influence on price 

variation in every category, from veal to cows, was 

muscling score. 

In 2008, the premium was 21 cents a kilogram on a 

500kg steer, or $ 105 per head. 

“Clearly, as you increase muscle in females to affect an 

increased muscling in sale progeny, there are economic 

advantages,” Mr McKiernan said. “But there was the 

need to answer the questions about what happens to 

other attributes. 

There has been a perceived negative relationship 

between increased muscle in females and other 

productivity traits such as calving ease, fertility and cow 

survival in hard times.” 

Three herds of Angus cows were being studied – a highmuscle 

group of 100 head with a muscle score of C, a 

low-muscled herd of 100 with a score of D and a herd of 

70 head of myostatin gene (which results in a mild form 

of double muscling) female carriers. 

In progeny born between 1998 and 2009, muscle score, 

weight and eye muscle area measures taken at weaning 

Shan Goodwin 

and yearling stages were consistently higher for those 

selected for muscling and tracking weight gain on those 

same animals, indicated there had been no detrimental 

effect on growth rates. 

Rib and rump fat figures indicated the progeny of 

females carrying the myostatin gene were leaner. 

Height measurements also showed some difference, 

with the more muscled females producing shorter 

calves. 

“This was an important finding because producers have 

long believed when they selected taller animals they 

were getting higher growth rates,” Mr McKiernan said. 

“But this shows they may also be inadvertently selecting 

for lower muscle.” 

Commercial boning room figures showed the progeny 

from high-muscled females dress heavier by 1.5pc over 

the low-muscled group and then there was a further 

1pc difference between the myostatin group and the 

high-muscled group. 

Eating quality figures were also compiled, using shear 

force measurements plus tenderness, juiciness and 

flavour taste-testing by consumers. 

Differences were not extensive but the myostatin 

group scored the lowest, with consumers identifying 

the leaner meat as lacking juiciness. 

Data on reproductive performance showed little calving 

difficulty across the herds, with calving rates ranging 

from 85.8pc in the low-muscled group to 88.2pc in the 

high-muscled group. 

Birth weights were the same and birth scores, which 

take into account the level of intervention required at 

calving, were on par. 

“More muscle equals more money, smaller frame, less 

fat, same weight gain and overall, greater efficiency,” Mr 

McKiernan said. 

The next phase of the research, which began when a 

high and low nutrition regime was introduced last 

autumn at Grafton, is looking at how animals mobilize 

body tissue for reproductive and other functions. 

• The research is funded by Meat and Livestock 

Australia and run in conjunction with Beef CRC 

35 



36

This article was placed in a magazine called “Prograzier” and passed on from Dr. 

Adrian Veitch (from Australia) to Gideon Vivier and then to me. I hope that you will 

find it interesting. 

UNDERSTANDING HOW MATURE EWE WEIGHT 

affects your production system and can have a 

significant influence on whole farm profits 

Size does matter but what’s right for ewe? 

Andrew Kennedy, PhD student with the University 

of WA and the Sheep CRC has spent the past year 

investigating the relationship between mature ewe 

size and whole farm profitability. From this word, he 

has produced some useful guidelines to help producers 

unlock their flocks’ potential. 

“Leading producers who are pushing the limits are 

already aware that mature ewe size impacts on 

profitability, but it is a hard thing to quantify because it’s 

a trade-off between ewe efficiency and lamb growth,” 

he said. 

“We want to understand how selecting for growth 

affects mature size in maternal lines, as selecting for 

growth and muscling is providing some big gains in 

reproduction and resilience, particularly for Merinos.” 

According to Sheep CRC Program Leader and WA 

Department of Agriculture and Food Senior Scientist Dr 

Andrew Thompson the average live weights of Merino 

and cross-bred ewes have increased between by 6 % 

and 8 %, respectively, since 1990. 

Andrew Kennedy said that, given ewes consumed 60 – 

70 % of their energy in maintenance alone each year, 

any compromise in ewe efficiency was likely to affect 

farm profit. 

Mature ewe size and profit 

Andrew’s bioeconomic modeling was based on ‘n selfreplacing 

Merino enterprise producing slaughter lambs 

in Victoria’s western district (typically high rainfall with 

a long growing season). By exploring the relationship 

between ewe size and profit, Andrew found that a 

moderate-sized 60kg ewe was the standout performer 

under those conditions (Table 1). 

“In general, profit was maximized when stocking rates 

were between 12 and 14 ewes/ha, ewe mature size 

was between 60 kg and 70 kg, potential reproductive 

rate was between 125 % and 150 % and lambs were 

marketed at 45 – 50kg live weight (22-24 kg carcass 

weight),” he said. 

In practical terms, he said there was little difference 

in the outcome for ewes between 60 kg and 80 kg, 

with returns varying by only 2 – 3 %. As ewes started 

to exceed 80 kg, their maintenance feed costs began 

significantly eating into profits. Conversely, ewes below 

60 kg required more time and feed to finish their lambs, 

as they lacked the growth potential to meet market 

specifications. 

“The research shows that under the reasonably ideal 

conditions of our Western District enterprise, the 60 kg 

ewe produced a superior result and the 80 kg-plus ewes 

were far more expensive to maintain,” he said. 

“However, producers need to consider those results in 

terms of their own environments and enterprise needs. 

The 80 kg-plus ewes had the lowest lamb finishing 

costs. If you’re in an area that has a tougher climate 

and shorter growing periods, then a bigger ewe, run 

at a lower stocking rate, might well earn you better 

dividends. We need to continue to explore this.” 

Andrew recommended that producers know their 

mature ewe weight and be aware of the available 

options to increase profit. 

“If you have a smaller ewe, there may be scope to 

increase stocking rate. However, if you have a large ewe 

already at maximum stocking rate, then improving the 

reproductive rate of these ewes may be your next goal.” 

Mature size (also referred to as standard reference 

weight) is defined as the weight of the animal when 

skeletal development is complete; the ewe is not 

pregnant, minus wool weight and in condition score 3. 

“This is the criteria producers need to keep in mind 

when thinking about mature size, commercially. I think 

producers see 90 – 100 kg ewes going over the scales 

and get worried, but often these ewes are probably well 

above condition score 3 or carrying twins,” Andrew said. 

“Producers wishing to manage mature size can use the 

adult weight Australian Sheep Breeding Value (ASBV) 

when selecting rams in their breeding program or 

when purchasing rams at sale.” 

Ewe size and farm labour 

Andrew said ewe size also had ramifications for 

enterprise labour costs, with larger ewes requiring 

more feed, time and labour to maintain. 

PhD student Gus Rose, who focused on labour issues 

facing the WA sheep industry for his Masters at the 

University of WA, said the right type and size of ewe 

could decrease labour inputs and increase profitability. 

“There is a need to identify the genetic and economic 

37 



trade-offs of easy-care sheep that are less susceptible 

to fly strike and worms, need less feeding and are bred 

for high clean fleece weight and low fibre diameter,” he 

said. 

Gus grew up on a sheep-cropping property at Williams, 

south-east of Perth, and has witnessed significant 

change during the past 20 years. 

Broadacre farms have ballooned in size yet fallen in 

number, leaving fewer people – particularly in remote 

areas – to do more work. According to Gus, a 2007 

Rabobank survey of WA producers reported that almost 

half of its participants had increased their own working 

hours to solve their farm’s labour crises. 

“This trend is common in isolated rural areas across 

Australia. I think if you were able to decrease the 

amount of work required for sheep, then you would 

be able to increase the profit and the quality of life of 

sheep farmers, regardless of their other enterprises,” he 

said. 

The need to manage larger farms with less labour, 

combined with increased profits from cropping, caused 

sheep numbers in Western Australia to fall by more 

than 40 % between 1990 and 2005. 

“There’s no doubt cropping has become more popular 

than sheep, with the introduction of herbicides, 

minimum tillage, improved and new crop varieties, 

while sheep technology has remained relatively 

stagnant,” Gus said. 

“This, combined with a loss of skills particularly in 

the younger generation, means that many sheep 

enterprises are running well below their potential.” 

Gus, who has also studied how labour shortages impact 

on farm profit on mixed sheep-crop farms, found that 

the labour requirement for sheep was much higher than 

for cropping. He also found that it was not profitable to 

hire labour for sheep management on crop dominant 

farms, with casual labour during seeding and harvest 

being the most profitable labour type. 

For producers who preferred cropping, Gus suggested 

outsourcing sheep management to someone who 

already manages several sheep properties or to a 

contracted company. 

“At this stage, there is still resistance to this idea, but 

there’s no doubt that sheep producers Australia-wide 

38 

would benefit from improved livestock management 

efficiencies, such as improving genetics to produce 

‘easy care’ sheep that require less supplementary 

feeding, crutching, jetting and monitoring,” he said. 

Andrew and Gus agreed that although their research 

suggested a range of management recommendations, 

producers should interpret them in the context of their 

own enterprises and environments. 

“I think this research shows there’s no right answer for 

the industry – just the right answer for individuals,” 

Andrew said. 

“When producers have that knowledge, they can begin 

to push their stocking rates with confidence in the 

outcomes. Knowledge also helps people to understand 

their limits. 

Key points 

• Larger mature ewe size can be a potential problem 

and an important factor affecting whole farm 

profitability. 

• Conversely, having ewes that are too small can make 

it difficult to finish lambs. 

• Bio economic modeling indicates that the most 

profitable-sized ewe was 60 – 70 kg. 

• Improving genetics to produce ‘easy care’ sheep is 

one way of reducing the labour component of the 

sheep industry. 

Table 1 Bio-economic modeling of a self-replacing 

Merino enterprise producing slaughter lambs in 

Victoria’s Western District explored the relationship 

between ewe size and profit (2011) 

Mature Gross Ewe Lamb Gross margin ($/ha) for 

ewe size margin feed cost feed cost different stocking 

(kg) ($/ha)1 ($/ha)1 ($/ha)1 rates (ewes/ha) 

8 10 12 14 

50 543 73 143 391 497 594 689 

60 686 93 48 518 642 765 820 

70 703 112 13 567 700 784 787 

80 666 150 9 578 694 731 661 

1 Values are for 11 ewes/ha, 110 % reproductive rate 

and 85 % weaning rate

39 



40

41 



Ekonomiese waarde 

VAN AANGEPASTE VELDGETOETSTE DORPERRAMME 

Kom ons soek die goeie gene vir goeie geld 

42 

Johan van der Walt Pr.Sci. Nat., Tel 0837009636, VEEKOS 

Ons weet dat die Dorpertelers van SA. besig is met veldramklubs, ook op Nasionale vlak. Die ernstige 

poging om ramme te toets vir prestasie onder ekstensiewe toestande is hoogs betekenisvol en 

prysenswaardig. Die ras bou sy ekonomiese waarde uit en dit sal ‘n goeie erflating wees vir die 

volgende geslagte dorperboere. Die saak is groter as die mens 

Die vraag ontstaan altyd wat is die waarde van veldgetoetste ramme, al dan nie. Feite is, dat ons 

toets welke ramme die gewenste gene dra om te produseer en te reproduseer onder ekstensiewe 

toestande. Ons moet mos erken dat dit met koste gepaard gaan vir die teller. 

Het sulke geselekteerde ramme ekonomiese waarde vir die bedryf? 

Die kuddeboer maak geld uit die groeisnelheid van sy lammers en getal lammers. Die veldramklubs 

stel indekse van die ramme beskikbaar wat die koper kan gebruik as aanduiding van die ram se 

vermoë om nageslag te lewer wat beter sal presteer 

Kom ons kyk weer na resultate wat verkry was, te Griekwastad met veld-getoetste ramme 

Die doel van die die proef was om te bepaal of die nageslag van ramme met goeie indekse, beter 

speenmassas sal lewer as ramme met laer indekse, onder gewone veldtoestande. 

In die proef was 300 dorper ooie gesinchroniseer en gedek met 8 ramme met verskillende indekssyfers. 

Die ooie was ewekansig gesorteer en het binne ‘n week klaar gelam. Goeie identifikasie en 

rekords was gehandhaaf. Die lammers is op 90 dae gespeen, beskryf en geweeg 

Vir die doeleindes van hierdie opsomming gebruik ons die resultate van 3 ramme met die hoogste 

indekse(gem 122) met 3 ramme met gem indeks van 100. Die resultate was baie insiggewend: 

Ramme met gemiddelde indeks van 122 se nageslag het gemiddeld 25.8kg geweeg (groep “A”)

Ramme met gemiddelde 100 indeks se nageslag het gemiddeld 23.63kg.geweeg (groep “B”) 

Die ramme met die hoë indekse het ook betekenisvol meer nageslag gelewer en gespeen . Moontlike 

verklaring is dat die hoë-indeks-ramme , hoër vrugbaarheid (semen kwaliteit) en libido gehad het as 

gevolg van hul inherente eienskappe van aanpasbaarheid in die gegewe omgewing . 

Die gemiddelde verskil in massa op speen (90 dae) tussen groep A en groep B was 2.17kg per lam. Sou 

ons die resultate van toepassing maak in die praktyk, kan ons berekenings as volg lyk: 

Teen die heersende prys per lam(6/9/11) @ R27/kg, beteken dit R58.59 per lam meer op 90 dae. As 

koper slegs 60 lammers per jaar aankry van die” A” ram, beteken dit dat die inkomste verhoog met 

R3515.40 per ram, per jaar. As die boer met 1000 ooie boer en net ” A” ramme gebruik en kry gem 

1300 lammers per jaar aan, beteken dit dat sy inkomste teoreties verhoog met R76 167 per jaar. 

(berekeninge op 90 dae) Die bykomstige voordele van verhoogde lam % en die waarde van verbeterde 

ooilammers(teelmateriaal) wat teruggehou word as vervangingsooie is nog nie in berekening gebring 

nie. 

Met die benadering weet ons nie wat sou die verskille wees van ramme met laer indekse as 90, of 

ongetoetste ramme nie. 

Wat kan ons meer betaal vir “A”-ramme of wat is die waarde van die ramme? Oor gebruiks-tydperk van 

4-5 jaar kan sodanige ram vir ons meer as R15000, meer verdien , behalwe die addisionele voordele 

soos bo uitgewys. 

U kan nou maar self die somme maak . Ons kan die aannames verander maar die resultate bly steeds 

positief en stem tot nadenke. Afleiding: Teen die agtergrond kan ons eintlik meer vir ramme met hoë 

indekse betaal . 

Hoop dat die beredenring prikkel ons 

43 



Dorper- 

SKAAPTERLERSGENOOTSKAP VAN SUID-AFRIKA 

DIE 

44 

Die Dorperskaaptelersgenootskap van 

Suid-Afrika is gestig op 19 Julie 1950. Die 

Genootskap bestaan uit 8 klubs en meer 

as 500 lede.

Met die stigting van die Genootskap in 1950, het die Genootskap die volgende doelstellings 

geimplementeer: 

• Om die teel van Dorperskape aan te moedig en te bevorder 

• Die beskikbaarstelling van ‘n administratiewe kantoor wat beheer word deur ‘n rasdirekteur 

• Om fondse in te samel en te spandeer in die belang van die Genootskap en bevordering van die 

Dorperras 

• Die plaaslike bevordering van die Dorper deur die vestiging van geaffilieerde Dorperklubs 

• Die instelling van ‘n inspeksiediens om die rasstandaarde toe te pas en raad aan die lede te voorsien 

• Die opleiding van beoordelaars en inspekteurs 

• Die verspreiding van kennis deur brosjures, nuusbriewe en die organisering van kursusse 

• Die bevordering van teelmetodes deur die aanbeveling van rekordhouding en nageslagtoetsing 

• Die organisering van kampioenskapskoue en ander skoue 

• Die organisering van amptelike veilings 

• Om te verseker dat alle lede van die Genootskap binne die grondwet gelyke geleenthede ontvang 

• Om dit vir alle lede so gerieflik moontlik te maak om met Dorpers te boer en handel te dryf binne 

sy gebied. 

Dorperklubs: 

Hierdie klubs, wat geaffilieer is by die Genootskap, is in al die streke van die land gevestig. Dorperklubs 

is die Genootskap grootliks behulpsaam met die bevordering van die Dorperras en bied ook die 

volgende aan: 

• Dorperdae 

• Junior & senior kursusse oor 4 dae 

• Mini-kursusse oor 2 dae, asook kortkursusse 

• Streeksveilings op verskillende plekke binne die streek 

• Klubkampioenskappe elke tweede jaar 

• Kuddekompetisies 

Daar bestaan ‘n persepsie dat slegs persone wat Dorperstoete bedryf lede van die Genootskap mag 

wees. Die feit is egter dat enige persoon wat met Dorpers boer of selfs net in die Dorperras belangstel 

kwalifiseer vir lidmaatskap van die Genootskap. 

Die Dorper is tans getalgewys die tweede grootste kleinveeras in Suid-Afrika en het ook sy weg gevind 

na meer as 28 lande wêreldwyd. Daar is ‘n steeds groeiende aanvraag na Dorpers in Suid-Afrika en ook 

oorsee. 

Die Genootskap beskik oor meer as 50 inspekteurs en beoordelaars landwyd. 

Meer as 720 persone het tydens 2009 en 2010 Dorperkursusse deurloop wat aangebied was deur 

inspekteurs en verskeie klubs. Die Genootskap se inspekteurs hanteer ook van tyd tot tyd kursusse, 

skoue en inspeksies in ander lande. Die amptelike handleiding van die Genootskap (Dorpers in die 

Nuwe Eeu) word beskou as een van die mees volledigste handleidings en kan tot groot hulp wees vir 

enige persoon wat met Dorpers boer. 

Die lede van die Genootskap staan ook nie onverskillig teen prestasietoetsing nie en het gedurende 

die 2010-2011 boekjaar meer as 28000 Dorpers onderwerp aan prestasietoetsing, wat die tweede 

meeste is van alle kleinveerasse in Suid-Afrika. 

Volgens amptelike syfers vanaf die LNR toon die Dorper se genetiese teelwaardes steeds ‘n opwaartse 

kurwe. Dit beteken dat Dorpers geneties verbeter word om ‘n hoër inkomste per dier te genereer. 

Dorpers is aanvanklik geteel om ‘n vinnig-groeiende lam te produseer met ‘n goeie karkas en die 

Genootskap is baie trots op die prestasies wat die Dorper behaal het in Samic se karkaskompetisies. 

Dorpers het nie net die afgelope 15 jaar die karkaskompetisie gewen nie, maar oorheers die kompetisie 

deur sommige jare tot soveel as 47 uit die eerste 50 plekke te behaal. 

Die Genootskap bied jaarliks vier Nasionale Veilings aan en elke tweede jaar ‘n Nasionale Skou. Daar is 

ook verskeie klub- en privaatveilings onder die beskerming van die Genootskap gedurende die jaar. 

Vir enige navrae oor veilingsdatums en ander Genootskapsdatums kan u ons gerus kontak. 

Kontakbesonderhede: 

Die Dorperskaaptelersgenootskap van Suid-Afrika 

Posbus 26, Middelburg, Oos-Kaap 5900, Tel no: 049 842 2241, Faks no: 049 842 3589 

Epos: dorperinfo@adsactive.com / dorperadmin@adsactive.com, Web: www.dorpersa.co.za 

45 



Teelramme 

K A N L A M P E R S E N T A S I E V E R H O O G 

46 

Dr. Jasper Coetzee, Voermol Voere 

(Tel no.: 021 887 9559; 083 386 83 82; jasperco@iafrica.com) 

Kan teelramme die lampersentasie van ‘n ooikudde 

verhoog? 

• Die genetiese bydrae van ‘n teelram tot die 

verhoging van reproduksie word heeltemal 

onderskat en is belangriker as die ooi-effek op ‘n 

kuddebasis. Verskeie navorsingsproewe bevestig 

die direkte effek wat sekere teelramme op die 

meerlinggeboortes by ooie het (Turner & Young, 

1969; Bradford, 1972). Dit is ook aangetoon dat 

hoe meer kere ‘n ooi gedek word, hoe beter is die 

kans om haar beset te kry en terselfdertyd gee dit 

‘n dramatiese verhoging in meerlinggeboortes 

(Mattner & Braden, 1967). Om dus te verseker dat 

teelramme ooie soveel kere as moontlik gedurende 

haar hitteperiode dek, moet die ramme oor ‘n baie 

hoë libido (geslagsdrang) beskik en topfiks wees. 

Die korrekte voeding kan ook ‘n merkbare effek 

op die ram se drang (libido) hê om te dek terwyl 

ondervoeding spermproduksie affekteer sowel as 

die libido verlaag (Mattner & Braden, 1975; Alkass & 

Bryant, 1984; Wilson, 2001). 

Moet daar aan spesifieke teelramme voorkeur gegee 

word indien die doelwit is om die lampersentasie van 

die ooikudde te verhoog? 

• Gebruik die ramme met die hoogste BLUPteelwaarde 

vir TWW (totale massa lam gespeen), 

maar sorg dat die teelwaardes vir al die ander 

eienskappe in balans is. Daar moenie net vir een 

eienskap geselekteer word nie (Olivier, 2008). 

Indien die TWW-teelwaarde nie beskikbaar is nie, 

gebruik die ramme wie se moeder ‘n baie goeie 

reproduksierekord het. Ramme uit vrugbare 

moeders of eerder uit ‘n vrugbare moederlyn, se 

dogters is meer vrugbaar. 

• Voorkeur moet ook gegee word aan ramme met ‘n 

“wakker,” lewendige en aggressiewe voorkoms. Die 

oë moet veral helder, wakker en lewendig wees. Sulke 

ramme en veral aggressiewe ramme is meer geneig 

om ‘n sterker geslagsdrang (libido) te hê en meer 

vrugbaar te wees as dié wat skugter en “slaperig” 

vertoon. Die gebruik van eersgenoemde ramme 

sal tot hoër besetting en meer meerlinggeboortes 

aanleiding gee (Henderson, 1990). 

• Gee voorkeur aan ramme met groot testes omdat 

testisomtrek (>35 cm) positief gekorreleer is met 

spermproduksie en manlike hormoonproduksie 

asook met die ovulasietempo (aantal eiselle 

afgeskei), meerlinggeboortes en ouderdom 

van geslagsrypheid van hulle vroulike nageslag 

(Henderson, 1990; Kimberling & March, 1997). 

• Om volgehoue teeltvordering te verseker, moet 

minstens een-derde tot ‘n helfte van die ramme 

jaarliks met nuwe ramme, wat verkieslik geneties 

beter is, vervang word (Wilson, 2001; McLennan & 

Knight, 2003). 

Hoe kan semenproduksie en die gehalte van die semen 

verbeter word? 

• Om ‘n hoë lampersentasie te verseker, moet 

teelramme ‘n prikkelvoer gevoer word om hulle in 

‘n uitstekende kondisie (kondisiepunt van 3.5 tot 

4: Henderson, 1990; Greig, 2007) te kry en om 

hulle testisgrootte te maksimeer sodat maksimum 

spermproduksie kan plaasvind (Croker, 1996). 

Proewe toon dat die regte voeding vir ‘n periode van 

twee maande die spermproduksie kan verdubbel. 

• Om testisgroei en spermproduksie te maksimeer, 

moet teelramme ekstra energie, maar veral ‘n 

baie hoë vlak van deurvloeiproteïen gevoer word, 

want dit bevorder die groei van die testes en die 

spermproduksie (Henderson, 1990). Ramme wat 

‘n hoë proteïenrantsoen ontvang het, het ‘n hoër 

en meer intense seksdrang gehad as dié op ‘n 

lae proteïenrantsoen (Salamon, 1964). Volgens 

Vipond & Greig (2007) moet ‘n prikkelvoer vir 

teelramme 16% proteïen bevat. Teelramme moet 

gevolglik vanaf twee maande voor paring ‘n hoë 

deurvloeiproteïengebaseerde prikkelvoer [200 kg 

Voermol SS 200 (V8592) + 150 kg Voermol Procon 

(V12701) + 80 kg Voermol Melassemeel (V1995) 

+ 575 kg gemaalde mielies of heel kleingrane] of 

Voermol Superlamkorrels (V17425) teen ‘n beperkte 

peil (500 – 1 500 g/ram/dag), met vreetspasie vir elke 

ram, gevoer word. Indien die weiding skaars is, moet 

goeie kwaliteit lusernhooi ad lib. bygevoer word. As 

alternatief kan ‘n volledige ramprikkelrantsoen [200 

kg gemaalde lusern (25 mm) + 425 kg gemaalde 

mielies of heel gars + 200 kg Voermol SS 200 + 100 

kg Voermol Procon + 80 kg Voermol Melassemeel) 

gevoer word. Voldoende vreetspasie (± 60 cm/ram:

Vipond & Greig, 2007), sodat alle ramme gelyktydig 

kan vreet, moet te alle tye beskikbaar wees. 

• Saadkwaliteit van teelramme kan verbeter word 

deur hulle vanaf agt weke voor die paarseisoen met 

koringkiemolie (± 25 ml/ram) een tot twee keer per 

week te doseer. 

• Enige stres, van watter aard ook al, veral as daar 

meer as een vorm van stres gelyktydig gebeur, kan 

die gehalte van die saad verlaag. Slegs geringe 

verhogings in liggaamstemperatuur vir kort periodes 

kan die vorming van lewensvatbare semen ontwrig 

(Wilson, 2003). Vermy alle stresvolle aktiwiteite (bv. 

skeer, dip, oormatige hantering, ensovoorts) korter 

as agt weke voor paring. Voorsien skaduwee in 

die vorm van koeltebome of skadunet gedurende 

warm tye (> 32 oC) van die jaar om somersteriliteit 

te voorkom. Wanneer die temperatuur meer as 32 

oC vir lang periodes is of ‘n kort periode van baie 

hoë temperatuur (38 oC of hoër) sal die produksie 

van lewensvatbare sperme nadelig beïnvloed word. 

Volwasse sperme wat volledig ontwikkel is en reeds 

in die bybal gestoor is, word baie minder geaffekteer 

as sperme in die ontwikkelende stadiums (Wilson, 

2003). 

• Voldoende koel en skoon drinkwater moet te alle tye 

beskikbaar en so na as moontlik aan die skaduwee 

wees (Wilson, 2003). 

Bepaling van teelgeskiktheid van teelramme 

• Ondersoeke toon dat tot 33 % van teelramme 

vrugbaarheid- en/of dekbehendigheidprobleme 

het (MacLaren, 1988). Ramme moet ongeveer 

ses tot 10 weke (Greig, 2007) voor die paarseisoen 

aan ‘n volledige teelgeskiktheidtoets deur ‘n 

ervare veearts onderwerp word. Dit sluit ‘n 

volledige fisiese ondersoek van die ram en sy 

geslagsorgane; evaluering en 

ondersoek van ‘n semenmonster; 

meet van skrotumomtrek asook 

‘n dekbehendigheidtoets in. 

Daar moet terselfdertyd bepaal 

word of teelramme vry van enige 

geslagsiektes is en of hulle oor ‘n 

hoë geslagsdrang beskik. 

• Dit is belangrik om daarop te 

let dat nie alle vet en onfikse 

teelramme onvrugbaar is nie, maar 

vet en onfiks is hoë risikofaktore. 

Watter aktiwiteite is noodsaaklik vir 

die voorbereiding van teelramme? 

• Aangesien die produksiesiklus 

van sperme sewe tot agt weke 

duur, moet die voorbereiding 

van teelramme minstens twee 

maande voor die paarseisoen ‘n 

aanvang neem (Henderson, 1990). 

• Teelramme moet vanaf minstens twee maande voor 

die aanvang van die paarseisoen fiks gemaak word 

deur hulle vroegoggend en laatmiddag vir minstens 

‘n halfuur vinnig te laat stap. 

• Teelramme behoort ook drie maande voor die 

aanvang van die dekseisoen met Multimin (G1853: 

bevat sink, mangaan en selenium) asook Vitamien 

A en E ingespuit te word om beide vrugbaarheid 

en weerstand teen siektes te maksimeer. Die 

spoorelemente sink, mangaan en koper is 

noodsaaklik vir die produksie van goeie gehalte 

semen asook vir ‘n hoë geslagsdrang. Besetting 

verhoog indien ramme met selenium gespuit word 

(Vipond & Greig, 2007), want selenium is ‘n kritieke 

komponent van die stert van die spermselle. Sink en 

Vitamien A word ook vir spermproduksie benodig. 

Ramme wat sink- en Vitamien A-tekorte het, het 

sagte testes (sagte balsindroom) en produseer swak 

gehalte semen (Wilson, 2003). 

• Spuit die reeks Bloutongentstof (d.i. Bloutong 

A, B en C) na die paarseisoen. Dit moet minstens 

drie weke uitmekaar gespuit word. Die laaste 

Bloutonginspuiting (d.i. Bloutong C) moet verkieslik 

nie korter as 12 weke voor die paarseisoen gespuit 

word nie. Alle lewendige entstowwe moet na die 

paarseisoen gespuit word. 

• Teelramme moet verkieslik nie korter nie as vier weke 

voor die paarseisoen vir beide ronde- en neuswurm 

gedoseer word asook met ‘n multiklostridiale 

entstof geënt word. 

47 



48

Kenya 

Compiled by John Dell 

6 JUNE 2011 

At the invitation of Mr. Sebastian Kariuki of Brookside Farms, 

Marion and I made our second trip to Kenya. The primary 

function of the trip was to judge Dorper Sheep and other small 

stock at the bi-annual Brookside Show in Nairobi. Brookside is 

a dairy company owned by the Kenyatta family. (Jomo Kenyatta 

was the first President of Kenya after independence). 

Brookside sponsored the show which is like the Kenyan National 

Show. The CEO of Brookside is Mr. John Geti, who also takes a 

keen interest in Dorpers. I first met Mr. Kariuki and Mr. Geti a 

number of years ago in Upington. 

The Show was well attended and the sheep ranged from very 

good to mediocre. The South African imported sheep from Mr. 

Albert van Niekerk were of a good quality and took most of the 

prizes. 

I also judged the Gala Goats, which are very similar to our 

Savanna Goats. They are extremely well adapted with beautiful 

white coats and very black pigment. 

The second function I had to perform was to help with, and 

attend the inaugural meeting of the Dorper Society of Kenya. 

This was duly done and Mr. Sebastian Kariuki was appointed first 

President of the Society. 

After the show and having had a look at the Dorpers at Brookside, 

we went south towards Tanzania and Mombasa to Gicheha Farms, 

a distance of 380km SE of Nairobi. This operation, owned by the 

Kenyatta family, is called Ziwani Estates near Taveta on the slopes 

of Mount Kilimanjaro. When there is no cloud the mountain is a 

beautiful view. 

Nicholas Karanja manages this ranch which is 17,000ha. Cropping 

& livestock farming takes place. There are 1 000ha of irrigation 

and a livestock operation of 7 000 Gala goats and 2 600 Dorpers. 

One shepherd looks after about 400 small stock. There are no 

fences and all livestock sleeps in “tak krale” at night. 

All water for the irrigation bubbles out under the ground so 

no pumping is done. The biggest crop is 900ha of seed maize. 

Beans, pigeon peas and soya beans are also grown. There are also 

orchards of tangelos, oranges, limes, passion fruit and mangoes. 

It was amazing to see how wildlife and crops co-exist. Elephant 

are kept out of the seed maize by four guards and a four strand 

fence. 

We stayed at a tented camp on the Tanzanian Border which was 

very, very enjoyable. Nicholas Karanga looked after us very well. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our time spent in Kenya 

T R I P T O 

John Dell & Minister for livestock Development in 

Kenya - Dr. Mohammed Kuti 

49 



50

Dorper karkas 

kraai weereens koning 

Die Dorpers het hierdie jaar weer die SAMIC (South African Meat 

Industry Company) karkas kompetisie oorheers deur die eerste 13 

plekke van die kommersiële lam enkel afdeling te wen en ook 41 uit 

die eerste 50 plekke was die jaar Dorper karkasse. 

Wat die kommersiële groep afdeling wenners betref was die Dorper 

karkasse bobaas, met 38 uit die eerste 50 plekke asook 17 uit die 

eerste 20 plekke wat natuurlik Dorpers was. 

Dorpers het skoonskip gemaak in die OPKOMENDE 

LAMKARKASKOMPETISIE 

AFDELING. 

ENKELWENNERS & GROEPWENNERS 

Hennie Human het ons die jaar verteenwoordig by SAMIC se 

prysuitdeling en tjeks sowel as sertifikate aan die wenners 

oorhandig. Baie geluk aan al die wenners. Rooidam Dorpers het die 

genootskap/telers se naam hoog gehou deur ‘n 3de plek te behaal 

in die kommersiële lam enkel afdeling. Ek sien uit om volgende jaar 

weer telers se name onder die wenners te sien. 

Hieronder die wenners (almal Dorpers) 

• KOMMERSIËLE LAM ENKEL WENNERS 

• 1ste Plek Mnr GJ Lategan 

• 2de Plek Delateganskuil 

• 3de Plek Mnr GJ Lategan 

• 3de Plek Rooidam Dorpers 


• KOMMERSIËLE LAM GROEP WENNERS 

• 1ste Plek Delateganskuil 



• 4de Plek Mnr WJC Reitz 

• 5de Plek Mnr GG Krugel 

• OPKOMENDE LAM ENKEL WENNERS 

• 1ste Plek Mnr P Sacco 

• 2de Plek Mnr D Sacco 

• 3de Plek Me JDY Smith 

• OPKOMENDE LAM GROEP WENNERS 

• 1ste Plek Me JDY Smith 

• 2de Plek Mnr D Sacco 

• 3de Plek Mnr J Moolman 

Mnr K Lategan (Delateganskuil) en 

Mnr C Strauss (Rooidam Dorpers) 

51 



52 

Lys van inspekteurs en beoordelaars 

* SLEGS BEOORDELAAR/ judge only not qualified as inspector 

Naam Adres Tel 

*Barnard F 1672Witbank 1035 013 680 1342/082888 6770 

Binneman N J 222 Aranos Namibia 0026463 261012 

*Binneman L 103 Stampriet Namibia 00264 62 581 099 

Booysen B C 85 Kenhardt 8900 05462 Steynsplaas 431 

083 4565 985 

BothaT S 6 Boshof 8340 083 650 4445 

theunsenpaula@shisas.com 053 541 0219 

Botha Francois 64Trompsburg 9913 082 374 5099 

francois@rmsnet.co.za 051 713 7007 

Buys P J 94 Strydenburg 8765 073 093 7052 

CahiTony 164 Prieska 8940 082 788 6180 

tonycahi@lantic.net 

*Campbell Dr QP Dersleyst 14 Bayswater 051 4365858 

Bloemfontein 9301 

* Cilliers, Niekie 542, Upington 8800 082 429 4846 

Connan E 290 Upington 8800 054 833 0461 

ernest.connan@donco.co.za 083 455 1244 

Cronje B J 3 Liebenbergstr Fichardt Prk 9317 051 5220178 

082 774 8845 

CronjeW L 131 Petrusburg 9932 05282 Petrusbrg 1620 

wcronje@webmail.co.za 082 376 1396 

Dell J 245 Grahamstown 6140 046 6222 381 

dell@johndelldorpers.co.za 083 652 8931 

*Ferreira GT 73, De Rust, 6650 082 432 1137 

snyberg@intekom.co.za 

*FerreiraWerner 73, De Rust, 6650 082 432 1138 

snyberg1@intekom.co.za 044 771 1060 

*Folscher N J 25 Brandvlei 8915 054 602 5131 

Grevelink Colene 32, Petrusburg, 9932 053 643 0164 

colcondor@vodamail.co.za 084 491 7171 

*Grobbelaar B S 130 Petrusburg 9932 082 371 4976 (h) 

ben@woelewater.co.za 082 3714 975 (w) 

Homan, Boeta 4851, Secunda, 2302 082 875 8073 

boeta.h@mweb.co.za 

JordaanTien 2983, Riebeeckhoogte, Uitenhage 6231 082 653 4119 

tiendorper@mweb.co.za 

Klein P F E 1 Mariental Namibia 00264 632 41229 

toeloop@iway.na 

Kotze J L K 487 Douglas 8730 076 181 0710 

kotzekoenie@gmail.com 

* Kriel Dawid 2931, Upington, 8800 083 506 9431 

dahenca@mweb.co.za

53 



54

*Kruger Jannie 13 DeVilliersstraat Upington 8801 054 338 0982 

082 564 6304 

*Krafa Eric 10, Molteno, 5500 

*Lategan R Villa Sodette 5,Cilliersstraat 15 Parys 9585 056 811 5085 

dorper@worldonline.co.za 083 388 7633 

*Le Roux Matie 872Wellingtn 7655 073 888 3351 

021 864 2729 

Malan Stefaans 111 Adelaide 5760 082 440 7346 

*Minnaar A J 303 Hartenbos 6520 044 695 1395 

083 653 4804 

Minnaar J I 1943 Upington 8800 0026 4635 0554 

jodiniez@gmail.com 082 378 0910 

Nell Floors 113 Koës Namibia 00264 632 52009 

katzies@iway.na 082 789 0769 

*Niehaus Hennie 42 Prince Albert 6930 02082 1704 

Niewenhuis A 779 Koster 0348 072 579 1121 

andredorper@spiderconnect.co.za 

Rayner R G 202 Cradock 5880 048 881 3826 

rayner@telkomsa.net 083 356 2749 

Rawlins P 48049 Hercules 0030 072 370 3278 

philraw@absamail.co.za 

Read R 23 Settlers 0430 014 730 0265 

rsread@senco.co.za 082 4444 051 

Rossouw H A 606 Lutzville 8165 027 632 5043 

koos@kgr.co.za 082 888 6545 

ScheunWeber 180 BeaufortWes 6970 082 782 0054 

vaalkuil@vodamail.co.za 044 934 1182 

* Seymore J J 3277 Lichtenburg 2740 071 688 0021 

nwk@nwk.co.za 082 492 2950 

* Steenkamp Dirk 2706, Upington, 8800 082 302 8507 

Strauss Philip 60 Karasburg Namibia 00264 632 69614 

Box 149 P/b X 5879 081 127 0851 

Upington 8800 

pstrauss@iafrcia.com.na 

Van der Merwe Rikus 56 Britstown 8782 082 890 0351 

westfront@apcmail.co.za 

Van Heerden M 43 Prieska 8940 082 948 2367 

mvheerden1@gmail.com 

Van Niekerk Albert N 1831 Upington 8800 083 578 5616 

carr@lantic.net 

Van Niekerk Andries 34040 Faunasig Bfn 9325 083 456 0702 

083 501 0250 

086 212 4237 fax 

*Van Niekerk Rudo 1831 Upington 8800 054 3351057 

starway@mtnice.co.za 

Van NiekerkWilhelm 33 Pofadder 8890 071 863 4440 

0834510929@mtnloaded.co.za 083 451 0929 

55 


Dorpernuus • Dorper news 2012 Wie 

Van Schalkwyk Pieter 30 Aroab Namibia 00264 632 80819 fax 

samehaal@iway.na 083 534 3665 

Van Schalkwyk Philip 538 Piketberg 7320 082 807 0272 

082 376 6083 

*VanWyk Handre 1822, Upington, 8800 082 978 1223 

Van Zijl H J J 13 Loeriesfontein 8185 054602- 3930 

willie.vanzijl@kaapagri.co.za 027-21 91562 

082 809 7737 

*Viljoen I P 126 Aroab Namibia 0026 4632 80646 

Visagie Jannie 94 Strydenburg 8765 053682 2003 

jannie.visagie@vodamail.co.za 082 788 5510 

*Visagie Jomarie 335 Aranos Namibia 002 646 3275 342 

Visser Danie 332 Aranos Namibia 

visserd@mweb.com.na 

002 646 327 5008 

*VisserWillemse 11, Loeriesfontein, 8185 083 653 9739 

Vivier Gideon 72 BeaufortWes 6970 0234 161682 

gvivier@vodamail.co.za 082 411 3986 

Wiese Dries 58 Loxton 6985 053 3812 1103 

drieswiese@mweb.co.za 082 8092 949 

082 334 8614 fax 

gaan 

oor 20 jaar na ons Dorperras kyk? 

Dit is altyd lekker as jong mense belangstelling toon in die Dorperras. 

Dit beteken dat daar nuwe mense is wat met ons ras begin boer en 

dat hulle oor 20 jaar ons ras steeds kan vorentoe neem. 

Een so persoon is Christien Langenhoven. Christien is lief vir alle diere, 

maar het ‘n besondere liefde vir Dorpers en daarom het sy besluit 

om in te skryf vir ‘n Dorperkursus om haar kennis te verbeter. Sy is 

slegs 12 jaar oud (gebore 11 Junie 1999) en in Graad 6 by Laerskool 

Gansbaai. Sy woon op ‘n plaas naby Gansbaai in die Weskaap. 

Christa Langenhoven (Christien se ma) sê dat Christien die plaaslewe 

baie geniet en help graag as daar op die plaas met skape gewerk 

word. As daar ‘n hanslam is, word dit haar verantwoordelikheid. 

Skoolwerk is vir haar baie belangrik en sy hou ook van lees. 

Christien het die Junior Dorper kursus (22-25 Augustus 2011) wat 

te Beaufort Wes aangebied was, suksesvol voltooi. Die kursus was 

uitdagend maar sy het dit nogtans geniet. Sy is nie die jongste 

persoon wat al ‘n junior Dorperkursus voltooi het nie, maar wie weet, 

sy mag dalk eendag die jongste beoordelaar of inspekteur word. 

Baie geluk Christien, ons hou jou vordering met groot belangstelling 

dop! 

Opgestel: Attie 

56

Inspekteurs 

en beoordelaarsdag 

Die jaarlikse Inspekteurs- en Beoordelaarsdag het die jaar weer te De 

Aar plaasgevind op 31 Mei & 1 Junie 2011. Diegene wat die Karoo 

ken sal weet dat dit bitter koud word in De Aar en die jaar was geen 

uitsondering nie. Dit het egter nie die Inspekteurs en Beoordelaars 

verhoed om die 2 dae by te woon nie. Die persone wat besig was 

om te kwalifiseer as Beoordelaars, is ook na die Inspekteurs- en 

Beoordelaarsdag genooi en hulle het baie baat gevind daarby. 

Die eerste dag het hulle prakties gewerk op Dorpers en probleme 

sowel as oplossings bespreek. Die volgende aspekte het aandag 

geniet: 

• Indraai Kote 

• Manlike en Vroulike vorm 

• Voorkwart van Dorpers 

• Lyflengtes 

Daar is ook voorstelle gemaak insake veranderings aan Ras Standaard 

nl: “Prul diere met indraai kote, sonder inagneming van ‘n graad.” 

Die Besluit sal bekragtig word tydens die Algemene Jaarvergadering 

in Julie 2012. 

Die aand het ons almal lekker saam gekuier om die braaivleisvuur. Die 

volgende dag se vergadering het goed verloop en besprekingspunte 

het gelei tot Raadsbesluite wat later die jaar tydens die AJV aanvaar 

is. Daar was baie positiewe terugvoer oor die Inspekteurs- en 

Beoordelaarsdag en die praktiese dag het groot byval gevind by 

diegene wat teenwoordig was. 

Volgende jaar se Inspekteurs- en Beoordelaarsdag gaan weer oor 

2 dae gehou word en die praktiese dag beloof om weereens baie 

interessant te wees. 

57 



58

GASTRO INTESTINAL PARASITES 

In most countries, small ruminants (sheep and goats) 

contribute immensely to the livelihoods of a large 

human population, in terms of meat, milk, hides, 

wool, manure and sales of live animals. There are 

many constraints to small ruminant production. The 

most common is gastro intestinal parasites (worms). 

Worms cause great economic and production losses 

to the farmer. Productivity and economic losses can be 

through: 

• Slow growth – animals take longer to reach target 

weights 

• Mortality - can be high 

• Depressed wool growth 

• Anthelmintic costs (anthelmintic resistance) 

Sheep tend to be very susceptible to parasites and their 

damage. This can be due to a combination of several 

factors, including: 

1. The small fecal pellets of sheep disintegrate very 

easily thus releasing the worm larvae onto pastures. 

2. Haemonchus is often the major parasite of sheep 

and its blood-sucking characteristic makes it very 

damaging. 

3. The ability and tendency of sheep to graze close 

to the ground where larvae numbers are higher 

drastically increases their exposure to parasites. 

4. Sheep have very little aversion to grazing areas of 

high fecal contamination. 

5. Sheep have a flocking instinct that encourages 

them to graze close together. 

6. The Haemonchus worm is a very prolific egg layer 

thus worm numbers can build up very rapidly. Even 

older sheep are unable to develop immunity that 

controls the parasite life cycle. 

As animals get older, they can to develop more 

immunity to parasites, but it takes longer in lambs. 

When an ewe lambs, her immunity to parasites is 

temporary compromised. 

The presence of worm eggs in the faeces is a good 

indicator that the animal is infected. 

Sometimes losses occur which are undetected because 

the signs of parasitism are not obvious. It is therefore 

advisable to have a program in place to fight gastro 

intestinal parasites. 

Important helminthes of small ruminants fall into three 

major classes, nematodes (roundworms), trematodes 

JE Venter 

Provincial Veterinary Laboratory Middelburg, Eastern Cape 

(flukes) and cestodes (tapeworm). Another parasite 

that can cause health problems is protozoa (coccidia). 

Depending on the type of parasite and the severity of 

infection, the following clinical signs can be observed: 

• Unthrifty sheep. Unthrifty sheep is not eating 

properly, 

is losing condition, tends to lag behind when moved 

and, is clearly weak. 

• Scouring can occur. 

• Rough hair coat. 

• Younger sheep are more susceptible than older 

sheep. 

• Stress: during the later stages of pregnancy, during 

lactation, during drought, long periods of wet 

weather – especially if this coincides with the later 

stages of pregnancy or lactation. 

• Anaemia – pale mucous membrane 

• Swelling/ Oedema (accumulation of fluid in the 

tissue) under the jaw (called “bottlejaw”). 

• General weakness 

Remember that “ill thrift” and scours, the major signs of 

a worm problem, can also occur with other diseases. So, 

acting purely on the clinical signs may result in a wrong 

(and costly) treatment. 

USEFUL MANAGEMENT TIPS: 

Most sheep have some worms in their digestive system. 

This is normal. Indeed, exposure to worms is essential if 

sheep are to develop and maintain immunity to worms. 

Worms are only a problem if the numbers increase to 

the point at which production losses occur or sheep 

become susceptible to other disease conditions. The 

overall purpose of a worm control program should 

be to minimize production losses caused by internal 

parasites and to maximize the sheep’s immunity to 

worms. It is important that everyone with sheep has 

a worm management plan. An effective plan is simple 

and will save a lot of money, effort and heartache. It is 

most important that sheep owners take a long-term 

and ‘integrated’ approach to worm control. 

Few components to an effective worm management 

program: 

- Testing: It is cheap and easy to do. Without regular 

testing, you won’t know whether you have a 

problem, whether your worm management plan is 

working or whether you have an emerging drench 

resistance problem on your property. EPG counts 

59 



are useful to decide: 1, if treatment is necessary, 2, 

if previous treatment were successful, 3, to show 

worm resistance and 4, to assess the level of worm 

contamination on the pasture. In case off high 

rainfall and high infestation the EPG count is just 

an indication of how successful the dosing program 

are. 

- Grazing strategy: An understanding of seasonal 

changes in pasture larvae numbers is inherent to a 

successful control program. Many larvae can survive 

on pastures through the winter or even longer. If 

sunny, dry conditions prevail, larvae numbers may 

decline dramatically. Larvae eaten by sheep as 

they begin the grazing season go through the twoweek 

development and begin to produce eggs. 

Since one larva can result in an adult that produces 

thousands and thousands of eggs, a multiplication 

in parasite numbers occurs. This is particularly true 

if moist, warm weather conditions are favorable to 

the development of larvae from eggs. From midsummer 

on, if weather conditions are appropriate, a 

large number of larvae accumulate on the pasture. 

This is referred to as the “midsummer explosion” 

in larval numbers. If hot, dry weather conditions 

prevail, larval numbers will decrease due to the 

killing effect of drying. 

Avoid grazing contaminated pasture with parasitesusceptible 

animals such as weaners or lambing ewes. 

- Maintaining good nutrition and good animal health 

care: Worm management strategies will have little 

impact if a general animal health program is not 

observed. Internal parasites tend to predispose 

their hosts to other infections; it is therefore a good 

practice to maintain flock health in general through 

proper housing, adequate sanitation (clean water) 

and appropriate vaccination against diseases. 

Nutrient supplementation can greatly offset the 

delirious effects of parasitism and hence improve 

the production performance of parasitised animals. 

- Building worm resistance in the flock: Sheep and 

lamb vary in their susceptibility to internal parasites. 

Sheep more susceptible are weaned animals, late 

born lambs, yearlings, high producing female 

and thin animals, periparturient ewes, unadapted 

breeds and stress animals. More resistant animals 

are mature sheep, dry sheep, sheep in good body 

condition and fat sheep. 

Older sheep have the ability to develop some 

immunity to parasites. However, this resistance is 

not complete and may break down during times 

when sheep are challenged with high numbers 

of infective larvae of Haemonchus. Treatment of 

mature ewes is, important in an attempt to prevent 

infection of young animals. Resistance will vary 

within breeds as well. Some animals, regardless of 

breed, will be more resistant to parasites than others. 

Having parasite-resistant animals will decrease the 

need for dewormers. Additionally, knowing when to 

60 

treat your sheep is essential. 

- Biosecurity: measures for new sheep arrivals on the 

property or any outbreak of worm disease in your 

flock. Internal parasite control starts with good 

management and common sense. Sheep should not 

be fed on the ground. Feeders, which cannot easily 

be contaminated with feces, should be utilized for 

grain, hay, and minerals. Water should be clean and 

free from fecal matter. Pastures and pens should not 

be overstocked. 

- Safe pastures: Clean or safe pastures are pastures, 

which are not contaminated with the worm larvae 

that affect sheep. Examples of clean pastures 

include pastures that have not been grazed by 

sheep or goats for the past 6 to 12 months; pastures 

which have been grazed by horses or cattle; pasture 

fields in which a crop has been removed; pasture 

fields which have been rotated with field crops; 

and pastures that have been recently established 

or renovated by tillage. Decreasing the stocking 

rate decreases the number of worms spread on a 

pasture. The more animals you have on one pasture, 

the more densely the worms are deposited. Animals 

on densely stocked pastures are more likely to have 

parasite problems. Sheep (and goats) are generally 

not affected by the same internal parasites as cattle 

and horses. Consequently, pastures grazed by cattle 

and horses are safe(r) for sheep (and goats) and 

conversely. 

- Proper anthelmintic use: Anthelmintics are still an 

important part of parasite control. However, they 

must be used properly to ensure effectiveness of 

treatment and slow down the rate by which worms 

develop drug resistance. Weights of sheep and lambs 

must be known or approximated accurately in order 

to calculate the proper dosage of medicine. Under 

dosing results in the survival of worms, which are, 

resistant to the anthelmintic used. If an anthelmintic 

is more slowly absorbed in the gut, drug levels are 

prolonged and the treatment may be more effective. 

Thus, fasting sheep for up to 24 hours may improve 

efficacy of dewormers. Using the same anthelmintic 

or drugs from the same chemical family will increase 

the rate at which worms become resistant to the 

drugs. To lessen the effect, anthelmintics (or drug 

groups) should be rotated on an annual basis 

- Minimising the risk of drench resistance developing 

on your farm: Small numbers of parasites within 

a population are not affected by any of the drugs 

and an increase in the occurrence of their genes 

contributes to the development of resistance to 

these drugs. There are some factors which magnify 

the rate of development of resistance in worms: 

timing of use of anthelmintics, climatic factors, 

drenching frequency, treatment of all the animals in 

the flock at any one time and under dosing. 

There is no “one size fits all” in gastro intestinal 

parasite control. Worms eat into the pockets of small

D o rp e rn uus • D o rp ernews 2 0 1 2 - Dorper SA

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