Breeding techniques of Dupo Sheep

Dupo Meat Sheep is native to South Africa and is bred by Dorset sheep and Persian blackhead sheep. It is a world famous meat sheep breed. According to the color of its head and neck, it can be divided into two kinds: Whitehead Duper and blackhead Duper. These two kinds of sheep body drive and limbs are white, the top of the head is straight, the length is moderate, the forehead is wide, the bridge of the nose is slightly raised, there are no horns or small horn roots, and the ears are small and straight, neither short nor too wide. The neck is thick and short, the shoulder is broad and thick, the back is straight, the ribs are arched, the forechest is plump, and the hindquarters are muscular. The limbs are strong and moderately long, and the limbs are upright. The whole body is like a tall carriage. Duper sheep can be divided into two strains: long wool type and short wool type. Long-haired sheep produce carpet wool, which is more suitable for cold climatic conditions; short-wool sheep have a shorter coat (composed of hair or fluff) and can better resist heat and rain. In the case of sufficient feed protein, Duper sheep does not need shearing, because its wool can fall off freely.

The heredity of Duper sheep is very stable, no matter pure progeny or improved progeny, they all show excellent production performance and adaptability, especially meat production performance, fat is evenly distributed in meat, and it is a high quality carcass. The meat sheep breeds introduced and made for China are incomparable. The carcass quality of lambs with good growth can reach the excellent standard in terms of shape and fat distribution. The carcass of Duper sheep with age A (young, tender, juicy), fat grade 2-3 (meat tastes good) and shape grade 3-5 (medium to round carcass) is called the best carcass and is sold as Diamond Duper sheep. This variety has excellent leather and is an ideal raw material for leather making. At present, the main breeds introduced in China are white-headed, and few pure blackheads are introduced, which are mainly used to cross with local breeds such as Mongolian sheep.

Dupo sheep shearing 1 and 2 times a year, shearing quantity: adult ram 2~2.5kg, ewe 1.5 kg; most of the wool is homogeneous fine wool, individual is fine semi-coarse wool, short and fine wool, spring wool 6.13cm, autumn wool 4.92cm, wool main body fineness is 64, a few up to 70 or more; the average net wool rate is 50% 55%.