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. Stud consultant and project manager Denis Russell was retained in late 2000 to manage the stud. And is still currently providing support and selection advice
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 in 2000 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. An AXIS Stud ram with Floors Brand and Coen de Beer bloodlines was purchased in 2002.
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.
The stud purchased the top priced White Dorper ram at the 2004 National Dorper and White Dorper Sale at Dubbo.
The development project reached maturity in 2006 with the retirement of some of the shareholders and the stud was purchased by current owners Jamie & Verity Mc Taggart and Scott & Dana Herde of Port Augusta and moved to Spear Creek Station
The stud has now consolidated the family lines and 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.
Years 2000 and 2002 saw the collection and sale of semen to USA after a visit from US breeders that were impressed with the quality of the stock. Saltbush exported live stud White Dorpers to China in July 2002.White Dorper rams were exported to Vietnam in October 2002.The stud purchased the top priced White Dorper ram at the 2004 National Dorper and White Dorper Sale at Dubbo.
We will continue to produce quality rams with exceptional shedding and carcass traits at affordable prices.
