In 1998, Renny Lee-Steere and David Thorn initiated a project to develop a fat-tailed sheep with a much improved and higher yeild carcass to the conventional fat-tailed sheep being imported into the Middle East from many countries in their region (approx. 10 million as annually). The intention was to produce a sheep that meets all the Middle East ceremonial requirements and specifications and a carcass that will also be highly desirable in our domestic market.
This project involved the infusion of the Damara (a South African fat-tail) with a Dorper (a Dorset/Persian Blackhead fat-tailed cross) and the resultant progeny is referred to as a Damper.
Earlier this year a Jordanian livestock shipping company, Livestock shipping Services Pty. Ltd., bought into the project and currently the joint venture is transferring embryos from 200 Damara ewes, utilising Dorper semen, to produce Damper rams for crossing with merino ewes to produce FI's for export.
The Damper is a highly efficient grazer with fast growth rates, does not require shearing and not susceptible to blow fly strike.
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Copyright © 2002 David Higham
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