CMP Dorpers
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Quality Dorper Sheep
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CMP Dorpers
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Quality Dorper Sheep
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2011 lambs are ready to go! | We started CMP Dorpers in 2003 with 10 ewes, a ram, and 18 acres of land nestled in the heart of the beatiful Catskill Mountains of New York. We chose the Dorper because of its reputation for being a hardy, easy to handle, and prolific meat breed. Another highlight is that Dorpers are shedding sheep, they have a mixture of hair and wool and do not need to be shorn. From that begining we have grown to over 60 ewes. |
| We are a pasture based farm, with hay made from our own meadows for winter. Fresh water, loose minerals with salt are available at all times. Dorpers are easy keepers on pasture and browse and lambs learn to graze by imitating their Mothers. Lambs do have grain available in a creep from birth until they are ready for market. |
Nick, sire of 2011 lambs. Thank you Nestleroth Dorpers |
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Rams are moved in with the ewes in late November and removed late in December for April/May lambs. This timing matches the lush spring grass growth to the growing nutritional needs of the ewes.
4 wks before lambing the ewes and rams receive CaseBac and CDT vaccinations. Cameras are set up in the barn so we can watch the ewes without disturbing them during lambing. After the lambs are born they are jugged with the ewe and birth weights are taken. Tags are applied and tails banded when the lambs are a day old. After 2 to 3 days in the jugs the ewes and their lambs are moved from the jugs into larger groups with creep areas set up for the lambs and access to pasture. Lambs are weaned when they are approx. 60 days old. |
weaning day 2011 |
 creep feeding lambs | One of the most important choices we have made for our flock was joining the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) in 2007. NSIP is helping us work towards creating an appealing flock of Dorpers that perform well on pasture. It has helped us make culling decisions based on the productivity of individual animals. The program determines profitability based upon the genetic performance of a breeding animal. These genetic merits are called EPD, short for Expected Progeny Difference. This type of program has been used extensively in the dairy, beef, and swine industries, and is growing in the sheep industry. NSIP is used to determine a ewe’s prolificacy, maternal milk, and growth rate of lambs. The program identifies problem animals, bad mothers, single lambing ewes and helps improve lambing percentage and weaning weights. Ewes that do not meet the goals of the program are culled. |
| Animals are also culled for several other factors. Ewes are wormed after lambing, and then at weaning all single mothers and any ewes that require additional worming are marked for culling along with those sheep that need hoof trimming. Some of the flock members do not shed as cleanly as others, and that is also a trait that is being improved in the flock. |
 Guardian Donkeys |
Since an attack on our ewes by
neighborhood dogs we now have
Great Pyrenees LGDs to protect
the sheep. Our dogs came from
rescue, if you need a LGD
please consider adopting a dog
from rescue. The link on the
left will get you started.
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The dorper breed makes an excellent choice for any commercial flock. They utilize pasture well for profitable gains and are great mothers. In addition, their shedding ability eliminates the added cost of shearing and wool handling. Dorpers are easy to handle, personable and pleasant to have around. We are determined to continue improving our flock and the breed to create a quality production animal that can turn forage into meat efficiently. |
| If you would like to consider adding some great performing, grass managed low input hair sheep to your flock, please keep CMP Dorpers in mind. Our animals require no shearing (they shed), and have been minimally dewormed over their lifetimes. We value ewes that will raise twins and triplets on their own on a rotational pasture management system. |
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How to contact us:
Jean and Tim McCumber Catskill Mountain Produce, LLC CMP Dorpers Sidney Center, NY 13839 |
Our Actual Offer:
For Sale: Registered QR rams are $500 and up. We will be lambing in April please contact us to be added to the waiting list for ewe lambs. |
Last updated on: Feb 15, 2012 | E-mail contact: info@cmpdorpers.com