Junior Board of Directors

from 2022-23 Continental Dorset Club Directory

Ewes for Youth Grant

usually good shearers. If one is in the “hot house” lamb business, he cannot get along without Dorset blood in his ewe flock. It has also been learned through research that the Dorset fits well in most any type of crossbred commercial operation. The Dorset will cross well with the Rambouillet, Finn, Targhee, Polypay, and other white faced ewes. By adding this Dorset blood in the commercial ewe, the early lambing ability, milking qualities, mothering instinct, and carcass qualities are greatly enhanced. The Dorset also works well in a two breed rotation using one of the black faced breeds. This cross makes a very desirable lamb. Ewes carrying Dorset blood are much better milkers than other ewes and have a better sense in caring for their lambs that there is little use in experimenting with other breeds. If one cannot get purebred Dorset ewes, let him get purebred rams and breed his own crossbred ewes. The half blood will be good; when he gets three-quarter bloods, they will, in some respects, be superior to even the purebred Dorsets. Dorset rams will work the year around. It is a known fact that the use of Dorset rams on any kind of crossbred or purebred ewe will tend to bring earlier lambs. Two Dorset rams will tend to bring earlier lambs. Two Dorset rams will do the work of three or four rams of other breeds. So, Mr. Commercial Sheepman - keep this in mind - milk makes the lamb and Dorsets make the milk. Get Dorset blood in your commercial ewe flock and be convinced.

Dorsets Well Suited to Youth Projects

Considering all of the attributes and desirable characteristics of the Dorset breed, they lend themselves ideally for a 4-H or FFA project. Dorset ewes are great mothers, easy lambers and milk well, making them easier for a young person to manage on his own. They are an efficient enterprise because they gain rapidly and market sooner; therefore, returning your dollar investment quicker. They have the ability to work well in an accelerated lambing program building your flock from a small hobby to a profit-making business. Activities for youth are planned on state and regional levels so youth can meet and compete with other young people. A youth Dorset project can be looked upon as a first step toward a career in the livestock industry. From the 4-H/FFA project one can advance to the collegiate level and on into agri-business or animal science careers.

2021-22 National Junior Dorset Association