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PO Box 116 Graaff Reinet 6280 E-mail: pspcc@global.co.za |
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To contact us: |
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PO Box 116, Graaff-Reinet, 6280 South Africa or E-mail: pspcc@global.co.za Lionel Tel: +27(0)49 8930577 or Mobile 084 4877979: Jean +27(0)49 8450153 |
ACHIEVEMENTS* Top Breeder, Karoo Region 2009 and on numerous previous occasions * Twice Winner of the IVOMEC TROPHY, the prestigious National Award presented to the most successful Dohne Stud Breeder in that year. (1982 and 1996) * Long serving Breed Society Council Member * Member of Joint Venture with Glenlea Stud, Australia’s first Dohne Stud est. 1998 * Embryos exported to West Australia, New South Wales and the Falklands. * Annual Production Sale at “Grassdale”, Graaff-Reinet late January. |
ORIGINSThe Normandy Stud is one of the oldest registered with the Dohne Merino Breed Society and has earned a fine reputation for sheep with an excellent balance between high quality fine wool and lamb production.
Norman de la Harpe (uncle of the present owner) established the stud in 1957 from breed material acquired from the well known Wauldby Foundation Stud (est. 1948) developed by pioneer breeder, D. Blaine in the Eastern Cape. Lionel de la Harpe, assumed control of the Stud in 1972 since when it earned international recognition. The Stud is now under the joint management of Lionel and his son, Jean.
The Stud and commercial flock are run on a mountainous grassveld farm “Grassdale”, situated between Graaff-Reinet and Murraysburg in the very harsh Sneeuberg area of the Karoo. |
MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING SYSTEMSThe success of the Normandy Stud in producing outstanding lamb crops and wool clips is testimony to the hardiness and productivity of the Dohne, as well as to the effective use of the breeding and selection systems developed by the Breed Society.
These systems are designed to identify the most efficient sheep and thus to maintain maximum advantage from selection.
Strict dedication to sound breeding principles in a large stud, complimented by the annual addition of the top performing young ewes from the commercial flock, bred in a harsh environment, has earned the Normandy Stud a reputation for Dohnes of the highest quality that adapt and perform everywhere.
The WPP % (Wool Production Potential) of 6,2% indicates that this Stud has the ideal balance between wool and body weight which is reflected in the excellent adaptability of these sheep.
Normandy Dohnes have outstanding conformation and carry soft fine wool of the most superior quality. A large and satisfied clientele for both Stud and flock rams offered on the farm and on the annual production sale, testify to this.
More recently the Falkirk Index System has been utilized to enhance selection. |
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THE FALKIRK SYSTEM: A Brief Explanation * This system of livestock assessment, as practiced in New Zealand, Australia and S.A., has been configured over a 20 year period. It was developed by New Zealander, Ian Walsh, with the support of an Australasian “Brains Trust” – the Falkirk Scientific Foundation. * It is an holistic method of animal selection that determines the genetic and commercial value of an animal. * It is based on the accurate measurement of the physiology of the animal to establish the actual bone/fat/meat ratio (carcass composition) relative to mass. * This data is interfaced with main trait heritabilities to produce an individual index to rank stock from superior ratings to those of least genetic ability. * Additionally wise stock judgment is applied to rate skeletal structure and functional well being of an animal. * Due to differing physiology between specie (sheep, cattle, goat), separate formulas have been developed to interpret this difference. For sheep and goats, a different formula is applied to lambs of less than 12 months of age.
Contact: Mr Ian Walsh, P O Box 109, Pio Pio, King Country, New Zealand. Tel: + 1164 7877 8345 (From RSA: 0064 7877 8345) and Fax: +1164 78778845 (From RSA: 0064 7877845) e-mail: falkirk1@xtra.co.nz web: www.falkirkindex.com |
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BREEDING GOALS In the Normandy Stud we strive to:- * optimize productivity and balance between meat and wool to ensure maximum gross margins * accelerate genetic gain, utilizing cutting edge technology & focusing on economically significant factors |
JOINT VENTURENormandy Stud, combined with the Charlton Stud of Philip Erasmus of Somerset East, has a joint venture with A W Leach & Co, Glenlea, W. Australia – Australia’s first Dohne Stud.
The Dohne is proving extremely successful in Australia where the sheep farmers are looking for higher levels of lamb production without reducing wool income. With the Dohne, the focus has always been to maximise economic returns. From Australia, the breed has spread to Tasmania, New Zealand, South America and the Falklands. |
FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS FOR DOHNES* Meat is arguably the fastest growing agricultural commodity in the world. * In many Eastern countries, the consumption of fish has halved and red meat consumption has doubled. * With an improvement in salaries and living standards in RSA, there is a decrease in the demand for starch and an increase in the demand for protein. Combined with this there is a limited area in which livestock can be farmed. * The demand for red meat is expected to rise by 20% is S.A. in the next few years. * The demand for protein worldwide rises at 15% per annum, and this must be produced on half the land available forty years ago. * By 2030, the demand for agricultural produce will be 50% higher than at present. * Dohnes are ideally suited to feedlot fattening “they have excellent feed conversion, rapid growth rates, slow fat allocation and relatively lean carcasses” – Dr Jasper Coetzee. * There is a growing demand for wool driven particularly by the lower supply in South Africa and Australia and globally the demand for fibre and apparel is improving (at present the wool pipeline is at an all-time low). * The Normandy Stud is taking selection to a new level by utilizing the Falkirk Index System over and above the use of EBV’s. * Selection for high bodyweight EBV’s can be misleading in that it does not cater for the correct physiology or actual meat yield of the animal. |
