Damara Cleanskin Sheep –v- Cattle Enterprise

THE DAMARA SHEEP BREED

 Rapid Growth Potential

Damaras are good foragers and live on a varied diet and shrubs. Damaras often improve in condition in paddocks where other breeds have lost condition. The Damara is known for its ability to grow rapidly and this potential increases in more favorable environmental conditions.

 Less Management Required

The short haired Damara does not have to be shorn, crutched, mulesed or tailed. Its superior resistance to lice and internal parasites makes frequent yard treatments unnecessary.

Damaras have a long lifespan mainly due to their ability to withstand diseases. Rams are noted for their vigor and stay sexually active until a fairly old age. They can easily mate between 100 and 150 ewes every quarter. A Damara Ram is therefore a good investment when its performance is compared to that of other breeds. Ewes are highly fertile, maturing sexually at an early age. Damara maiden ewes can produce their first lambs by the time they are 12 months old and thereafter at intervals of 6-9 months old. They have remarkable maternal instincts and superior mothering abilities. Their fertility contributes to the high meat production per hectare.

 Strong flocking instinct

Centuries of attack by predators has developed a strong flocking instinct in the Damara. At the least sign of danger the group flocks together, effectively repelling enemies with their horns. Their flocking habits make large groups of Damaras easy to drive and for Rams mating more ewes pregnant.

 Environmentally Healthier

Because of its higher resistance to common sheep diseases, the Damara requires little chemical treatment. It also thrives on natural vegetation, again lessening its exposure to chemicals. Damara meat is exceptionally lean and tasty, appealing to the health conscious.

We are located in Narembeen, 280 km east of Perth in Western Australia. Our Parent company Hall Farms Pty Ltd, has family origins and a lifetime of respected dealing across W.A.

Since its inception in 1939, the company has grown to a highly successful cereal and sheep farming operation on some 10,000ha, running breeding ewes and producing cereal grain. We first became involved with Damara Cleanskin meat sheep in 1997 with the purchase of pure bred ewes. The performance and characteristics of these was so impressive that we decided to visit South Africa early in 1998 to evaluate the different meat sheep breeds. Our investigations convinced us that the Damara could provide exciting opportunities for Australian farmers from the wheatbelt, pastoral and arid areas. The Damara sheep has the potential to increase profitability to farming operations across Australia.

 PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

• We can advise you how to build up an economically efficient Damara flock through strategic genetic planning,
• We can provide you with elite genetics and high quality live animals,
• We can give you up-to-date information on the Damara’s commercial potential and marketing strategies currently in place,
• We can assist you with ongoing breeding and marketing advice,
• We can structure delivery packages to meet your specific requirements,
• Up breeding programs Meatmaster crossing Clean skin breed sheep into Damara to compete in all markets.

Stocking rate of 1 Breeding Cow equals 8 Damara Ewes for purpose of comparison.

Breeding cycle for Cow is 9 months gestation plus 14 months for calf to reach 350 kg market

Cattle production at 50% per annum = 312 pa; 24 months 614 born, only 312 to weight 350 kg at 18 months

Cattle production at 70% per annum = 437 pa; 24 months 875 born, only 437 to weight 350 kg at 18 months

Assumption Lambing 100%:

Breeding cycle for Damara sheep is polyoestrus with 5 months gestation

plus 5 months for lamb to reach 40 kg lamb market

Damara cycle 8 monthly breeding - produces 3 lambs in 2 years

5,000 Damara ewes produce 100% lambing with 3 lambs in 2 years totalling 15,000 lambs produced at $100 per 40 kg lamb = $1,500,000

Assumption Calving 50%:

625 Cows produce 50% calving with 312 calves in 2 years totalling 624 calves produced at $1.90/kg @ 350 kg = $665 per calf x 312 = $207,480; 624 calves total value 624 x $665 = $414,960

Assumption Calving 70%:

625 Cows produce 70% calving with 437 calves in 2 years totalling 875 calves produced at $1.90/kg @ 350 kg = $665 per calf x 437 = $290,605; 875 calves total value 875 x $665 = $581,875