New sheep breed triplets
A Welsh farmer developing a new breed of sheep, the Monsa, has seen the first lambs born – a set of triplets.
Out of a South African Dorper by a Zwartbles ram, they ‘came out like a dream and are three cracking lambs’, says John Rowlands of Ysgubor Fawr, Llanfairpwll, Anglesey. The breed was featured in Farmers Guardian in November.
He is aiming for a wool-less breed combining the meat qualities of the Zwartbles with the Dorper’s hardiness traits and believed disease resistance. Dorpers are thought to be impervious to bluetongue, although there is no scientific evidence as yet.
Mr Rowlands had planned to have a further 13 Dorper ewes and a ram at his home to increase his purebred numbers but – ironically – they have had to remain in England because of the bluetongue movement restrictions.
Following testing, it is hoped they will soon be able to travel to Anglesey under the current vector-free period arrangements.
http://www.farmersguardian.com/
February 25 2008 09:16 pm | News