The Sheep

The SA Milk Sheep (a cross between East Friesan and three indigenous breeds, namely the Afrino, Fattail Afrikaner and Merino Landsheep) is registered with SA Studbook. Elmarie is currently the only breeder of the SA Milk Sheep in South Africa.

East Friesland semen was imported from New Zealand in 1998. Because the East Friesland is not well adapted to warm climates like South Africa’s semi-Karoo, where the farm Patria is situated, cross-breeding had to take place to bring hardiness into the breed. That was the main reason why the Afrino and Fattail Afrikaner sheep breeds were selected. The Afrino is a breed that was specifically developed for the Karoo environment in South Africa. The Fattail Afrikaner is an indegenous breed that is renowned for its hardiness and high libido.

Why dairy sheep?

• Sheep is a triple purpose species, yielding wool, mutton and milk.
• You can keep up to four times as many sheep per hectare as cattle, and they reproduce faster than other species
• Cattle take a long time to produce saleable offspring. Most goat breeds are seasonal breeders and will kid only once a year. But sheep can reproduce up to three times in two years. Milk sheep are prolific breeders.
• The SA Milk Sheep has a lactation period of six months (other sheep – three months)
• The SA Milk Sheep gives up to four litres a day
• The wool is strong – 30 micron
• The ewes are productive: twins and triplets are the norm. Maternal instincts are excellent.
• The carcass quality of slaughter lambs is very good and has a good spreading of fat. The sheep are relatively big, ewes weighing 70 – 75 kg.