Dolf Lategan is busy expanding his notes made over a couple of decades of involvement with the Dorper Breed, and more specifically, lecturing, judging and inspecting the finest animals in South Africa. This outline should give an indication of the headings he will discuss in more detail:
General Dorper Breeding
You must have a plan
Manager of a factory
Love of the breed
Participate
The formula that I propose is contained in three letters...
K - O - S ! (The Afrikaans word for "FOOD")
K for Knowledge
O for Organisation
S for Selection
Knowledge
History of breed
Participate Courses, Clubs, Dorperdays, Shows, Auctions
Needs of the breed Not natural
Breed standards Buying of animals
Benchmarking - Measure from industry
Inspectors
Inoculation & Dosing: Area dictates
Disease Symptoms: Prevention!
Environmental factors Cold, heat, feeding
Analysis of soil Mineral deficiencies
Breeders' Society
Organisation
Lambtime Size of area; Crawlfeed; tails
Camps & grazing
Work ameneties
Plan your farming: Quantity & Quality
Pairing Timing; Group, hand, mass AI, stimulation feeding
Water purity
Mark,weigh,dose,dip Records, selection, performance testing, parasites, ameneties
Weaning of lambs Age, planning, dry feed and water shock
Marketing: Weight, grade
Care and grooming
Selection
Knowledge, Organisation Can't do without it
Records available: Kraal notes
3/6/12 months selection
Genes: Chances for success
Goal Select according to plan: Great rewards
Practise makes perfect
"Success is not a destination, but a journey"