Mating

A Dorset Down ram can be used with confidence on any breed of ewe, and many farmers using Mule and hill ewes have been impressed by the much improved conformation of their lambs when sired by a Dorset Down.  Difficult lambing cases can be eliminated even when used on lambs because of the small head and fine shoulders.  The lambs are very hardy at birth, vigorous and ready to suckle.

Dorset Down rams will work at any time of the year, and because of their exceptionally high pheromone count also make very good teasers.

The Dorset Down ewe will take the ram in most months of the year, is apparently unaffected by extremes of temperature and being docile and adaptable is ideal for close winter housing.  Its usual to put 40 to 50 ewes to one ram which is quite capable of serving some 20 ewes in 24 hours.

Early Maturing

The Dorset Down sire has no equal for early mature lamb production and produces an ideal carcase regardless of the sex of the lamb.  Single lambs can be brought up to 18kg dressed carcase weight within 10 to 12 weeks, twin lambs to the same weight within 12 to 14 weeks, while a good lamb gains up to 0.45kg per day live weight.

It has been shown that a properly managed commercial flock using a Dorset Down ram can clear all lambs by 16 weeks from lambing.

Carcase Conformation

The Dorset Down produces a lamb with fine bones and shoulders, well fleeced with an outstanding leg and is ideal for home or export trade, grading E.U.R. at 2-3L.  the loin is perfectly covered with a full eye of meat and the shoulder is of particularly good flavour.

Fleece

The Dorset Down fleece is one of the most highly valued British fleeces. The wool is short and fine in texture on mature sheep, while good tight wool on the lambs resists bad weather. Fleece weights range up to 2.177kg washed and up to 2.450 kg greasy. The British Wool Marketing Board classes Dorset Down wool as one of the highest grades in the country; considerable quantities of it go to the hosiery trade.