POLL DORSET : ORIGIN AND HISTORY

Poll Dorset Ram

The Poll Dorset Breed was developed in Australia by three prominent Dorset Horn studmasters who saw the advantages of eliminating the horns from this great breed, but were determined to retain all its qualities. Trials were started in 1937 with a purebred Corriedale ram and a purebred Ryeland ram mated with pure Dorset Horn ewes. The resulting polled progeny was then mated with purebred Dorset Horn ewes, only using the single polled factor. This practice was continued until 95 per cent pure Dorset Horn blood was attained. In 1947 future matings were poll on poll, therefore creating the double poll sheep and the Australian Poll Dorset Breed was registered.

The New Zealand Poll Dorset Breed was founded in 1959 with the importing of a number of these double polled Australian sheep, by a group of New Zealand Dorset Horn breeders. In the following years, the New Zealand Poll Dorset Breed evolved to become a major contributor to the New Zealand Sheepbreeding Industry, with selected genetics being exported to various countries.

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BREED DESCRIPTION

Pregnant Poll Dorset Ewes

Polled, open white face, open nostrils, with pink nose and lips free from pigmentation, well covered with wool from brow to poll. Fleece dense with high bulk character, free from kemp and black fibre. Carcase, long, well muscled, and free from excess fat.

BREED CHARACTERISTICS:
Able to breed over an extended mating season and therefore capable of breeding out of season lambs. Hardy and vigorous, with rapid growth rate. Ewes show good mothering and excellent milking ability. Rams are used as sires for terminal crossing with other breeds, and a limited number of first-cross ewes are used for breeding.

RAMS:
Long, bold masculine appearance and carriage with strong bone and of a robust character.

EWES:
Appearance bright, with feminine characteristics.

NEW ZEALAND'S NO. 1 PRIME LAMB SIRE

Poll Dorset © A J Brown, Aorere Farm, Oamaru

VERSATILITY: Rapid Growth Rate from Beta to Heavy Weight

• In trials at Ruakura, Poll Dorsets were ranked top of 12 breeds for lamb survival, growth rate and carcase weight.
• On N.Z. hill country at Whatawhata Research Station Poll Dorset x Romney lambs had the heaviest lamb weaning weights of 9 breeds.

SURVIVAL:

Agovine Trial (Southland)
7% more Poll Dorset x lambs survived to weaning than purebred Romney and Coopworth lambs.

INCREASED WOOL:

• Poll Dorset x lambs produce higher wool weights than any other meat breed.
• Free of black fibres. Poll Dorset x wool commands a premium over other meat breed sires.

HIGH WOOL BULK:

In a joint MAF and Wool Board project Poll Dorset, Perendale and Corriedale ram hoggets were screened for high wool bulk characteristics.

The 42 best sires were selected, of these:

• 80% are Poll Dorset
• 10% Corriedale
• 10% Perendale

RAM SELECTION:

1. Buy your rams and ewes from reputable registered studs. Avoid cheaper undergrown stock that do not have a sound background of consistent breeding.
2. Select stock that is well grown with fleshing, substance, good length, and performance recorded with modern, sound bloodlines, where possible.
3. Be sure stock is free of diseases; are Ovine Brucellosis Accredited Free; and are regularly vaccinated and drenched.
4. Always check mouths, feet, testicles. Do not be afraid to reject any animal that is not well above average in these areas. Any faults in these areas will reduce the performance and life of the animal.
5. Never purchase older rams that may be cheap, undergrown, and out-of-condition, as in most cases you will only be buying trouble.

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BREED CLASSIFICATION

Poll Dorset Ram hoggets - 10 months

Able to breed twice a year, although most farmers either split the flock so as to produce spring lambs from one group and autumn lambs from the other, or breed twice in three years. Hardy and vigorous, with rapid growth rate. Ewes show good mothering and excellent milking ability.

A meat breed. Rams are used as sires for terminal crossing with other breeds, and a limited number of first-cross ewes are used for breed-breeding.

Location: The breed is found throughout New Zealand.

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BREED COMMITTEE

President - G ILLSTON

• No 1 District
  K A HAYWOOD, 1197 Mangaotaki Road R D Piopio 3971
  ph (07) 877-8586

        fax (07) 877-8588
        email krhaywood@farmside.co.nz

C H DEERY, R D 5, Papakura 2585
ph/fax (09) 292-2504
email jcd@xtra.co.nz

• No 2 District
  G ILLSTON, 1 R D, Marton
  ph (06) 322-8087
  fax (06) 322-8087

           email gillston@xtra.co.nz

R C W LEE, Elsthorpe, 2 R D, Otane 4277
ph/fax (06) 322-9814

• No 3 District
  A M McILRAITH, 'Brooklands', Leeston-Southbridge, No 3 R D, Leeston 7683
  ph (03) 324-2766
  fax (03) 324 2765
  
  S M BOON, 13 May Street, Leeston 7632
  ph (03) 324-3699
  
  
• No 4 District
  
  I W McCALL 2106 Mt Nessing Road, R D 14, Cave 7984
  ph (03) 685-5955
  email I.W.McCall@woosh.co.nz
  
  
  
  

Councillors: S M Boon, G Illston

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Breeders' Clubs

North Island:

Chairman: I R LAWRENCE, R D, WAIMANA, 3196 EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY
ph (07) 312-3216
email iglrm@xnet.co.nz

Secretary: D V STANLEY-CLARKE, 77 Hawthornden Drive, R D 4,
ROTORUA 3074
ph/fax (07) 345 6108
email stanley-clarke@xtra.co.nz

Southern North Island:

Chairman: G ILLSTON, 1 R D, Marton
ph/fax (06) 322-8087

email gillston@xtra.co.nz

Secretary: K ELMS, c/- G Illston, 1 R D, Marton

ph/fax (06) 322-8087

Canterbury:

Chairman: J K COSTELLO, P O Box 28 Waikari 7491
ph (03) 314-4348
fax (03) 314-4646

Secretary: MS K TOWNSEND, Gebbies Valley, R D 2, Christchurch 7672
ph (03) 329-7109
mobile 0274 750 873
email kristina.mauricio@paradise.net.nz

Southland:

Chairman: MR P S PONSONBY, Tuapeka West, R D 1, Lawrence 9591
ph (03) 485-9950
fax (03) 485-9952
mobile 025 203 4003
email douglasdowns@xtra.co.nz

Secretary: MR S G STEVENS, 233 Auripo Road, R D 2, Oturehua 9387
ph (03) 447-4141
fax (03) 447-4121
mobile 021 313 237

email sam@cairnlea.co.nz

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF POLL DORSET BREEDERS

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BUY & SELL

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Last updated on 10 September, 2009