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crossbreeding

Author: amy
Date: 10-21-07 12:35

I debating on crossbreding my suffolk ewes. I want to improve on mothering, disposition, lambing ease and newborn spunk. I was hoping you could give me some ideas or advice on what not to do. I currently have a 180% lamb crop. Last year I had a lot of trouble with vaginal prolapses. I sold the ewes that had prolapses. They were pretty much all the youngstock from the ram I used the year before. I hope I have cured that problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Amy

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Re: crossbreeding

Author: Mandy
Date: 10-23-07 10:19

Amy,

As far as the bloodlines go: The Finns are probably not what you are looking for. The Dorsets would be a good choice. Hampshires do not lamb easily, but they do fit the other things that you are looking for.

You did the correct thing by selling the ewes that were prolapsing. I do not think you will have as much trouble in that area now.

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Re: crossbreeding

Author: amy
Date: 10-23-07 15:54

Do you think that my suffolk ewes would have a hard time having dorset lambs? Dorsets seem really big compared to suffolks.

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Re: crossbreeding

Author: Mandy
Date: 10-23-07 17:57

Amy,

The Suffolk ewes will not have a hard time. Dorsets are considered one of the best breeds to bred to with lambing ease. The lambs are actually quite a bit smaller then a suffolk in terms of size and mass.

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Re: crossbreeding

Author: Bill
Date: 11-13-07 16:36

You said: I want to improve on mothering, disposition, lambing ease and newborn spunk.

You might want to contact a Polypay breeder who is on NSIP because the things you want to improve upon describe a Polypay ewe.amy wrote:

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Re: crossbreeding

Author: Peg
Date: 12-13-07 14:12

We have been very happy with our Katahdin-sired crossbred lambs in all these respects. Dams are crosses of Dorset, Polypay, Hamp, and/or Suffolk, plus of course purebred Katahdins.These are all raised on pasture.

Our shearer loves the crossbreds because they are easier and quicker to do. The wool on all of them, crossbred and purebred, is worth next to nothing anyway.

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Re: crossbreeding

Author: steve williams
Date: 02-07-08 20:20

w hat breeds of sheep cross well with white dorpers to improve carcass qualities and would you have to shear the off spring or do white dorpers have enough muscling to compete with other breeds

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Re: crossbreeding

Author: gordon
Date: 02-08-08 13:50

You need to first decide on your market. If you are trying to raise 135# fat lambs and make
a profit at the end of the year then a dorper ewe bred to a suffolk or hamp will work.
If you are selling to an ethnic market then stay with the dorper.

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Re: crossbreeding

Author: steve williams
Date: 03-24-08 13:55

do the offspring have to be sheared from a white dorper ram bred to say a dorset or hamp or sulfolk ewe?

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Re: crossbreeding

Author: steve williams
Date: 03-24-08 13:57

do the offspring have to be sheared from a white dorper ram bred to say a dorset or hamp or sulfolk ewe?

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