Excellent Breeding Performance

The Dormer’s success stems from decades of rigorous testing, record-keeping, and dedicated breeding, culminating in its 1975 registration as a unique breed.

Excellent Breeding Performance

The Dormer’s success stems from decades of rigorous testing, record-keeping, and dedicated breeding, culminating in its 1975 registration as a unique breed.

The Dormer breed was developed through meticulous record-keeping, strict selection, and rigorous testing over 25 years. Young rams were carefully tested on grade ewes, ensuring only the best traits were passed on. Research on lungworm resistance further enhanced the breed’s suitability for South Africa's winter rainfall regions. Under the leadership of key figures like Mr. L.H. Bartel, Mr. J.F. du Toit, and Mr. I.L. Ferreira, the Dormer’s traits and type were solidified without introducing foreign bloodlines. In 1975, after seven generations, the Dormer was officially recognised as an independent breed by the SA Stud Book, cementing its place as a premier mutton breed.

Excellent Breeding Performance

The Dormer breed owes its success to meticulous record-keeping, rigorous testing, and dedicated breeding practices maintained over decades. For many years and across multiple generations, young rams were tested on grade ewes before being incorporated into flocks. This comprehensive testing system ensured only the best breeding stock was used, guaranteeing the quality and consistency of the new breed.

One of the significant advancements during the development of the Dormer was its reduced susceptibility to lungworm. This improvement was partly due to groundbreaking research conducted on the lungs of lambs slaughtered for progeny testing. These findings not only enhanced the breed's resilience but also ensured its suitability for the winter rainfall region of South Africa. Results from cooperative trials and feedback from farmers confirmed that the Dormer excelled in this environment, thriving in crossbreeding programmes to produce the high-quality slaughter lambs sought after by breeders.

The breed’s development was championed by three key figures. Mr. L.H. Bartel, the visionary behind the Dormer, laid the foundation for the new breed before his passing in 1944. His work was continued by Mr. J.F. du Toit, who led the project until his death in 1947. Subsequently, Mr. I.L. Ferreira took over and became the "master builder" of the Dormer breed. For over three decades, until his retirement in 1981, Mr. Ferreira demonstrated unwavering loyalty, determination, and humility in refining and establishing the Dormer as a premier mutton breed.

Through 25 years of painstaking effort, including detailed production recording, strict selection processes, and unparalleled dedication, the breed’s traits were solidified. Remarkably, this was achieved without introducing any foreign bloodlines, preserving the integrity and uniqueness of the Dormer. By 1975, after seven generations of careful breeding, the Dormer was officially recognised and registered with the South African Stud Book as an independent breed—a testament to the exceptional commitment and vision of its creators.

Excellent Breeding Performance

The Dormer breed owes its success to meticulous record-keeping, rigorous testing, and dedicated breeding practices maintained over decades. For many years and across multiple generations, young rams were tested on grade ewes before being incorporated into flocks. This comprehensive testing system ensured only the best breeding stock was used, guaranteeing the quality and consistency of the new breed.

One of the significant advancements during the development of the Dormer was its reduced susceptibility to lungworm. This improvement was partly due to groundbreaking research conducted on the lungs of lambs slaughtered for progeny testing. These findings not only enhanced the breed's resilience but also ensured its suitability for the winter rainfall region of South Africa. Results from cooperative trials and feedback from farmers confirmed that the Dormer excelled in this environment, thriving in crossbreeding programmes to produce the high-quality slaughter lambs sought after by breeders.

The breed’s development was championed by three key figures. Mr. L.H. Bartel, the visionary behind the Dormer, laid the foundation for the new breed before his passing in 1944. His work was continued by Mr. J.F. du Toit, who led the project until his death in 1947. Subsequently, Mr. I.L. Ferreira took over and became the "master builder" of the Dormer breed. For over three decades, until his retirement in 1981, Mr. Ferreira demonstrated unwavering loyalty, determination, and humility in refining and establishing the Dormer as a premier mutton breed.

Through 25 years of painstaking effort, including detailed production recording, strict selection processes, and unparalleled dedication, the breed’s traits were solidified. Remarkably, this was achieved without introducing any foreign bloodlines, preserving the integrity and uniqueness of the Dormer. By 1975, after seven generations of careful breeding, the Dormer was officially recognised and registered with the South African Stud Book as an independent breed—a testament to the exceptional commitment and vision of its creators.

Excellent Breeding Performance

The Dormer breed owes its success to meticulous record-keeping, rigorous testing, and dedicated breeding practices maintained over decades. For many years and across multiple generations, young rams were tested on grade ewes before being incorporated into flocks. This comprehensive testing system ensured only the best breeding stock was used, guaranteeing the quality and consistency of the new breed.

One of the significant advancements during the development of the Dormer was its reduced susceptibility to lungworm. This improvement was partly due to groundbreaking research conducted on the lungs of lambs slaughtered for progeny testing. These findings not only enhanced the breed's resilience but also ensured its suitability for the winter rainfall region of South Africa. Results from cooperative trials and feedback from farmers confirmed that the Dormer excelled in this environment, thriving in crossbreeding programmes to produce the high-quality slaughter lambs sought after by breeders.

The breed’s development was championed by three key figures. Mr. L.H. Bartel, the visionary behind the Dormer, laid the foundation for the new breed before his passing in 1944. His work was continued by Mr. J.F. du Toit, who led the project until his death in 1947. Subsequently, Mr. I.L. Ferreira took over and became the "master builder" of the Dormer breed. For over three decades, until his retirement in 1981, Mr. Ferreira demonstrated unwavering loyalty, determination, and humility in refining and establishing the Dormer as a premier mutton breed.

Through 25 years of painstaking effort, including detailed production recording, strict selection processes, and unparalleled dedication, the breed’s traits were solidified. Remarkably, this was achieved without introducing any foreign bloodlines, preserving the integrity and uniqueness of the Dormer. By 1975, after seven generations of careful breeding, the Dormer was officially recognised and registered with the South African Stud Book as an independent breed—a testament to the exceptional commitment and vision of its creators.

FAQs

  • What makes the Dormer sheep’s breeding programme unique?
    The Dormer breeding programme involved rigorous testing of young rams on grade ewes, strict selection, and meticulous record-keeping over 25 years. This ensured the breed’s exceptional traits, such as lungworm resistance, rapid growth, and adaptability to South Africa's winter rainfall regions.


  • How was the Dormer breed made resistant to lungworm?
    Research conducted on lambs slaughtered during progeny testing helped identify and enhance the Dormer’s natural resistance to lungworm, a significant improvement over other breeds in similar climates.


  • Who were the key figures in the development of the Dormer breed?
    The Dormer was pioneered by Mr. L.H. Bartel, who began the project. After his passing in 1944, Mr. J.F. du Toit continued the work until 1947. Mr. I.L. Ferreira then led the breed’s development until his retirement in 1981, establishing the Dormer as a recognised breed.


  • When was the Dormer officially recognised as a breed?
    After seven generations of careful breeding and without introducing foreign bloodlines, the Dormer was officially registered as an independent breed with the SA Stud Book in 1975.

FAQs

  • What makes the Dormer sheep’s breeding programme unique?
    The Dormer breeding programme involved rigorous testing of young rams on grade ewes, strict selection, and meticulous record-keeping over 25 years. This ensured the breed’s exceptional traits, such as lungworm resistance, rapid growth, and adaptability to South Africa's winter rainfall regions.


  • How was the Dormer breed made resistant to lungworm?
    Research conducted on lambs slaughtered during progeny testing helped identify and enhance the Dormer’s natural resistance to lungworm, a significant improvement over other breeds in similar climates.


  • Who were the key figures in the development of the Dormer breed?
    The Dormer was pioneered by Mr. L.H. Bartel, who began the project. After his passing in 1944, Mr. J.F. du Toit continued the work until 1947. Mr. I.L. Ferreira then led the breed’s development until his retirement in 1981, establishing the Dormer as a recognised breed.


  • When was the Dormer officially recognised as a breed?
    After seven generations of careful breeding and without introducing foreign bloodlines, the Dormer was officially registered as an independent breed with the SA Stud Book in 1975.

FAQs

  • What makes the Dormer sheep’s breeding programme unique?
    The Dormer breeding programme involved rigorous testing of young rams on grade ewes, strict selection, and meticulous record-keeping over 25 years. This ensured the breed’s exceptional traits, such as lungworm resistance, rapid growth, and adaptability to South Africa's winter rainfall regions.


  • How was the Dormer breed made resistant to lungworm?
    Research conducted on lambs slaughtered during progeny testing helped identify and enhance the Dormer’s natural resistance to lungworm, a significant improvement over other breeds in similar climates.


  • Who were the key figures in the development of the Dormer breed?
    The Dormer was pioneered by Mr. L.H. Bartel, who began the project. After his passing in 1944, Mr. J.F. du Toit continued the work until 1947. Mr. I.L. Ferreira then led the breed’s development until his retirement in 1981, establishing the Dormer as a recognised breed.


  • When was the Dormer officially recognised as a breed?
    After seven generations of careful breeding and without introducing foreign bloodlines, the Dormer was officially registered as an independent breed with the SA Stud Book in 1975.