2013 Lambs

Our previous lamb crops sold out quickly.

We sell both registered lambs and locker lambs.

If you are interested in a 2013 lamb, either as breeding stock or as locker lamb, we suggest early reservations as quality Dorpers are always in high demand.

Dorpers - the easy care breed

The sleek white sheep with the black heads are easily recognized.

Dorpers were developed in South Africa as a meat breed in the early 1930's and have spread world wide. These exceptionally adaptive and hardy sheep do well in a wide variety of environments and can thrive where many other sheep can't. They are non-selective grazers that thrive in marginal conditions. They handle hot and arid as well as cool and damp climates well. Dorpers mature early, reproduce readily and tend to be excellent mothers with good temperaments. Dorpers are white sheep with black heads and may have some additional black markings. There is a White Dorper which is like the black headed one with the exception of color. The difference is primarily breeder preference.

Dorper lambs start grazing at a young age and this contributes to their good growth rates. They can attain a live weight of about 75-85 lbs at 3.5-4 months of age. The meat is tender and mild in flavor and carcass quality is excellent without havig to be grain fed, making a meat that is highly desirable.

The breed generally sheds its short coat which is a mixture of hair and wool and makes maintenance easier. Their calmer disposition also makes them easily handled without much help. All-in-all, this has proven to be the ideal breed for us.

Why Eat Grassfed Lamb?

Grassfed Lamb is Lower in Fat & Calories than Grain-Fed Lamb

A team of scientists from the USDA compared grassfed lambs with lambs fed grain in a feedlot. They found that "lambs grazing pasture had 14% less fat and about 8% more protein compared to grain-fed lamb." The researchers acknowledged that "consumer desires for healthier meats have shifted the emphasis to leaner, trimmer carcasses.." and that raising more sheep on pasture will "benefit our economy by reducing reliance upon expensive grain supplements..."

Grassfed Lamb is Rich in Lutein

Meat from sheep raised on pasture has twice as much lutein as meat from grain-fed sheep. Lutein is closely related to beta-carotene, but is absorbed more readily. Lutein reduces the risk of macular degeneration (a leading cause of blindness) and may also help prevent breast and colon cancer.

Grassfed Lamb is Good for Your Heart

Grassfed lamb is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are the "good fats" found in fish like salmon, in nuts, and in soy that are vital to our health. Omegs-3s, for example, are extremely good for your heart. People who have ample amounts of Omega-3s in their diet are less likely to have high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat, and they are 50 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack.

Grassfed Lamb has the "CLA bonus"

Meat products from grassfed ruminants are the richest known source of "conjugated linoleic acid" or CLA. When ruminants are raised on fresh pasture alone, their meat contain from three to five times more CLA than products from animals fed conventional diets. CLA may be one of our most potent defenses against cancer. In laboratory animals, a very small percentage of CLA --- a mere 0.1 percent of total calories ---greatly reduced tumor growth. In a Finnish study, women who had the highest levels of CLA in their diet, had a 60% lower risk of breast cancer than those with the lowest levels of CLA in their diet. Switching from grain-fed to grassfed meat and dairy products places women in this lowest risk category.