DORSET DOWN : ORIGIN AND HISTORY
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Developed in the middle of the eighteenth century in the county of Dorset in England by John Ellman, through the crossing the Southdown, Hampshire and local Dorset breeds. It was officially recognised in 1906.
The breed was first brought to New Zealand in 1921, but soon died out. Further importations were made from 1947 onwards and the breed quickly established a niche as a meat breed for the production of export lamb. Developed in the middle of the eighteenth century in the county of Dorset in England by John Ellman, through the crossing the Southdown, Hampshire and local Dorset breeds. It was officially recognised in 1906. The breed was first brought to New Zealand in 1921, but soon died out. Further importations were made from 1947 onwards and the breed quickly established a niche as a meat breed for the production of export lamb.
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Dorset Down Rams are in strong demand for crossing purposes to produce lean, fast growing lambs for the present world export trade.
Today's meat trade demands a greater amount of meat and less fat. Dorset Down cross lambs when compared with lambs of other crosses lead the field in this area of meat to fat ratio.
The Dorset Down is one of the most virile rams of all mutton breeds. It has been shown to cover greater than average numbers of ewes per season and remains active for a number of years.
Dorset Downs have won major cutting competitions particularly in recent Heavyweight trials conducted both in New Zealand and Overseas.
Dorset Down Sires can produce:
- Lambs efficiently
- Lambs with the fastest daily growth rate
- Lambs which draft well over the entire range of weights
- Lambs with lean carcass composition suitable for the present export schedule
- Carcasses of good conformation, wedge shaped, with narrow forequarters and small briskets.
Progressive breeders have recorded growth rate and skilfully used the figures in their breeding programmes which have proved the Dorset Down's superiority for the productive characteristics of length and leanness.
The Dorset Down Stud Flock at Lincoln University is being used for further research into lean lamb production.
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Future marketing requirements show that heavier, leaner lamb is required such as illustrated here from a Dorset Down cross carcass.
These weights are derived from lambs from 18 kgs upwards with a preferred G.R. measurement of 10 mm or less.
Dorset Down meets the whole range of schedule requirements with longer leaner lambs.
The carcass should be of good conformation, wedge shaped, with narrow forequarters and small briskets. The overall carcass length needs to be as long as possible. Sub primals are boned out cuts derived from a whole cut, i.e. leg of lamb or loin of lamb. The eye muscle size would be as wide as possible, i.e. 70 mm or more.
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Medium-large size. Rapid growth rate. Early maturity. Meat breed. Rams are in demand as sires for terminal crossing with other breeds for the production of prime export lambs.
Location:
It is suitable for a wide range of climatic conditions, and found
throughout New Zealand from lowland pastures to hill country.
| Bodyweight | Wool |
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Ewes: 65-80 kg (143-176 lb) Rams: 100-130 kg (220-286 lb) |
Dense, Down type. Full-handling and springy. Staple length: 50-75 mm (2-3 inches). Fleece weight: Range 2-3 kg (4.4-6.6 lb); Average 2.5 kg (5.5 lb). Uses: Frequently blended with other wools to give extra elasticity and crispness. Also used in the production of high quality hosiery, fine knitting wools, bedding and furniture fillings, papermaking and felts. |
| Meat | |
| Carcase lean, high-yielding. Lean red meat. | |
| Breeding/Lambing | |
| 110-140 percent. | |
| Numbers | |
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About 51 ,000 |
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Chairman - B I ROBERSTON
- No
1 District:
A J WILLIAMS 'Hakakino-Rua', Norfolk Road, R D 1, Carterton 5791
ph (06) 377-5918
mobile 027 230 7711
W B PHILIP, Laws Road, R D 2, Dannevirke 4972
ph/fax (06) 374-8857
email anui@xtra.co.nz
- No
2 District:
MRS H L LANG, Glasnevin, 3 R D , Amberley 7483
ph (03) 314-6747
fax (03) 314-6757
email langestate@clear.net.nzJ P DODD, 51 Dodd Road, 13 C R D, Oamaru 9491
ph/fax (03) 432-4177
email belview@xtra.co.nzA D BUSCH 1373 Boundary Road, R D 3 Ashburton 7773
ph/fax (03) 303-7109
email busche@farmside.co.nz
I D STEVENSON The Gums, R D 2, Cheviot 7382
ph (03) 319-8443
fax (03) 319-8790
email ianstevie@gmail.com
- No
3 District:
A K BAIN, 750 Waitahuna West Road, R D 3, Lawrence 9593
ph/fax (03) 485-9999
mobile (027) 222-9304
email longridgestud@xtra.co.nzB I ROBERTSON, Duncraigen, No 2 R D, Wyndham 9892.
ph/fax (03) 206-4894
email duncraigen@farmside.co.nz
MRS E G THWAITES, Glencoe, 2 R D., Invercargill.
ph/fax (03) 230-6070
mobile (02& 206 7502
email eualieandneil@xtra.co.nz -
NZSBA COUNCILLORS: A D BUSCH, G M FLETCHER (PAST PRESIDENT),
I D STEVENSON -
HON LIFE MEMBERS: W E Bain, H Dalziel, G M Fletcher, N R Gardyne,
M N McKenzie, D O Masefield
- Northern:
Chairman: A J Williams, 'Hakakino-Rua', Norfolk Road, R D 1, Carterton 5791
ph (06) 377-5918
mobile 027 230 7711
- Central:
Chairman: John P Dodd, 51 Dodd Road, 13 C R D, Oamaru 9491
ph/fax (03) 432-4177
email belview@xtra.co.nzSecretary: Mrs E Smith, 1479 Oxford Road, R D 1 Rangiora 7471
ph/fax (03) 312-5765
mobile 027 209 9258
collie.liz@slingshot.co.nz - Otago/Southland:
Chairman: D L Howden, Waimea, R D 6, Gore 9776
ph (03) 204-0865
Secretary: Mrs C A Robertson, Duncraigen, No 2 R D, Wyndham 9892
ph (03) 206-4894
fax (03) 206 4893
mobile 0274 385 128
email duncraigen@farmside.co.nz - CLICK FOR LIST OF DORSET DOWN BREEDERS
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Last updated on 15 May, 2009