Saltbush White Dorpers
The Saltbush Stud imported the first White Dorpers to Australia in 1997. In 2000 the company Saltbush Livestock Pty. Ltd was formed. White Dorper embryos came from breeder Hennie Jacobs using two Peet Cilliers rams of national significance in South Africa. The second importation in 1998 focused on Dries Wiese ewes from the Kasteel stud using three rams from the stud including World record priced ram Boude (R250,000)
A third importation sought to introduce Leon Snyman genetics through Dries Wiese ewes and get more of Hennie Jacobs bloodline. A small breeder Koos du toit also provided donor animals for further diversification of breeding within the same type of animal carrying a genetic blend of the top studs in South Africa. Further embryos from Hennie Jacobs, Leon Snyman, Dries Wiese and Peet Cilliers were implanted in 2001.
The high numbers imported and bred by the stud allow the selection of superior animals for our programs and future sales. Further new White Dorper bloodlines have been introduced from South Africa and new genetic material added to the breeding pool from a number of sources within Australia.
Fertility, the ability to lamb unassisted and wean large numbers of lambs allows us to increase selection pressure. The stud has now consolidated its numbers and is selecting for muscle, length of body and a high priority for clean shedding animals in the breeding program. Other attributes such as breed type and pigmentation will closely follow these priorities.
Over the years semen has been sold to USA, live stud White Dorpers to China and rams were exported to Vietnam. The stud purchased the top priced White Dorper ram at the 2004 National Dorper and White Dorper Sale at Dubbo and continues to introduce some new genetics each year to evaluate ourselves and to improve our sheep in certain areas.
We will continue to produce quality rams with exceptional shedding and carcass traits at affordable prices.
