339
 Ramsay et al.
 ICAR Technical Series - No 3
 The development of the Dorper sheep and the Improved Boer Goat are
 undoubtedly two of the most successful long-term livestock programmes
 in South Africa. The Dorper is a composite mutton sheep breed developed
 through crossing an indigenous breed with a British mutton breed and
 the Improved Boer Goat was developed using a breeding strategy based
 largely on selection for fertility and meat production.
 Both breeds were developed for low input production environments and
 both have subsequently been influenced by market preferences and trends
 as well as ?fancy points? that often have no bearing on adaptive or
 production traits.
 Both breeds were also part of Government-assisted programmes and both
 benefited from the establishment of a breed society and a national recording
 and evaluation scheme.
 This paper reviews the strategies put into place to develop the Dorper
 sheep and the Improved Boer Goat and discusses aspects that have been
 improved and could have been improved upon.
 The main objective of the Dorper programme was to develop a hardy
 meat-producing sheep for the extensive production areas of the country.
 The breed was developed by crossing Dorset Horn sheep with the
 fat-rumped black headed Persian sheep, a local Somali sheep variety.
 A major catalyst in the development of the breed was market and consumer
 resistance to the carcass quality of traditional fat-tailed and fat-rumped
 breeds, such as the Afrikaner and the Persian, that made up most of the
 sheep farmed in the arid to semi-arid areas of the country during the
 1930s.
 An evaluation of the breeding
 strategies used in the development of
 the Dorper sheep and the improved
 Boer goat of South Africa
 K. Ramsay, D. Swart, B. Olivier & G. Hallowell
 Registrar of Livestock Improvement and Identification,
 National Department of Agriculture, Private Bag X 138,
 Pretoria 0001, South Africa
 Introduction
 The Dorper
 sheep
340 Breeding Strategy Workshop
 Case study: sheep in South Africa
 The Department of Agriculture initiated a series of trials from 1933 to
 1946 at research stations and participating farms in South Africa. This
 was done in cooperation with farmers who had indigenous breeds to
 develop a composite that could produce a quality carcass in harsh
 conditions. This followed less controlled cross-breeding using rams from
 exotic breeds such as the Suffolk, Border Leicester, South down, Welsh
 Mountain and the Dorset Horn. The largest disadvantage of the latter
 initiative was the fact that, while breeding half crosses again to British
 mutton breeds improved carcass quality, adaptability decreased. The need
 to keep breeding flocks of less adapted pure British mutton breeds was
 also a problem.
 Trials to evaluate British mutton sire lines began in earnest at this stage.
 After analysing the results, it was decided in 1942 to develop a composite
 breed using the half-cross Dorset Horn-Blackhead Persian as a basis. Of
 particular importance was the fact that this cross was less seasonal as far
 as breeding was concerned.
 The Grootfontein Research Institute of the Department of Agriculture
 played a major role in the further development of the breed. The overriding
 trait in the breeding programme was adaptability. This can be described
 as follows:
 ? ability to survive unfavourable conditions;
 ? ability to reproduce regularly in local conditions;
 ? ability of lambs to grow rapidly to a marketable size.
 One of the major advantages of cooperative development is that it is easier
 to establish a half-cross composition this way. A sufficient number of
 animals exist to select and breed unrelated half-cross rams.
 Although numbers of the composite increased, progress was not as
 expected until a breed society was formed in 1950. The name DORPER
 was also established. The years that followed saw participation in the
 national mutton performance testing scheme (introduced in 1964) and the
 development of the all white Dorper, a cross between the Dorset horn,
 Persian, Dorper and the Van Rooy sheep (an Afrikaner-Rambouillet
 composite).
 As the popularity of the Dorper increased, its distribution widened from
 the more traditional arid to semi-arid areas to include higher rainfall areas
 and semi-intensive production systems. Selection in these conditions as
 well as buyer preferences had an influence on breeding objectives and
 breed standards. Table 1 shows changes in 100 day masses of performance
 tested
 It can be seen that the Dorper has changed. It is shorter-legged and more
 compact. Fat is more evenly distributed and the hair coat is short and
 smooth. Performance data shows that growth has also improved.
341
 Ramsay et al.
 ICAR Technical Series - No 3
 Can the breed still use the natural resources as effectively as it did in the
 1950s? Is the shorter sturdier modern Dorper still as adaptable?
 ? Can it still move effectively in extensive conditions?
 ? Does it still have the necessary adaptive traits?
 ? Does it still graze effectively or has it become a destructive grazer?
 Lochner (1996) claimed that breeding objectives had moved from a hardy
 extensive type to a type more suited to temperate climates and Nel (1980)
 was of the opinion that selection for size and discrimination against certain
 fat deposits could possibly influence the breeds? adaptive traits. Van
 Niekerk (1999) referred to changes as a result of breeding objectives that
 could influence sexual maturity and fertility and Campbell, (1998) advised
 breeders to pay attention to economically important traits of mutton sheep
 and to resist the temptation to intensively select for ?fancy points?. Olivier
 (1999) advised that there should be a balance between marketability and
 the genetic improvement of the breed.  Over emphasis in either direction
 could do long-term damage to the whole breed.
 The Breed Society is located in Middelburg in the Cape Province, about
 ten kilometres from Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute.
 Close ties are maintained with key researchers and the Government still
 contributes a third to the running costs of the National performance-testing
 scheme that includes the small stock testing schemes.  Grootfontein has
 also recently developed a new recording and evaluation system under
 the guidance of Dr Buks Olivier. The updated goal of the breed reflects
 these links.
 It is, however, important to constantly monitor breed progress with the
 most suitable aids available.
 Table 1. Changes in the 100 day masses of performance
 tested Dorper lambs (Data from the National Sheep
 performance-testing scheme).
 Year 100 day weight (kg)
 Ram Lambs
 100 day weight
 Ewe Lambs
 1964 25.40 24.20
 1970 30.60 28.22
 1978 30.96 28.03
 1982 34.83 32.40
 1989 34.80 31.50
 Is the modern
 Dorper still as
 adaptable as it
 was 50 years
 ago?
342 Breeding Strategy Workshop
 Case study: sheep in South Africa
 Performance testing should be used sensibly to facilitate a balance between
 reproduction and growth.  The new small-stock recording and
 improvement scheme that has been developed at Grootfontein is capable
 of meeting all these needs.
 It is encouraging to note that Grootfontein, the Institute that has contributed
 the most to the development of the breed, continues to do so, using a
 healthy balance between modern technology and phenotypic observation.
 This Institute would make an ideal small stock centre for Africa and has
 all the necessary facilities to render advisory and support services to all
 farmers and farm systems.
 Participation in the new scheme has increased rapidly over the last few
 months owing to breeders and breed societies that had become
 disillusioned with performance testing. This is most encouraging and
 shows the Society?s commitment towards on-going evaluation and
 improvement.
 Modern breed evaluation techniques will now enable those involved to
 predict trends as far as the major traits were concerned. With this
 information, it will be possible to avoid a skewed approach to production
 traits where adaptability might be compromised by such directions
 The improved Boer Goat had its origins in the Eastern Cape Province
 where farmers began keeping lop-eared goats obtained from Hottentot
 and Bantu owners. During the early stages, the goats were multi- coloured
 and were used in the thornveld areas to utilise and control bush.
 Although unsubstantiated, there are indications of early Eastern/Indian
 and European introductions. While these may have had an influence on
 some animals, the overall breeding objectives did not take these into
 consideration.
 In the late 1920s and early 1930s a few breeders focussed breeding objectives
 on improved conformation for meat production, quality meat and the
 ability to browse. Colour selection followed and the typical white goat
 with a red head began to establish itself as the only meat goat in Africa.
 The late Theunis Jordaan, a farmer from near Somerset West in the Eastern
 Cape Province, played a major role in this selection and development
 programme by concentrating on heavier short-haired goats with light red
 heads.
 A Boer Goat Breeders? Association was formed on 4 July 1959. The aims of
 this society were to:
 ? further improve the Boer Goat as a Breed in South Africa;
 ? appoint an administrative staff;
 Improve the
 efficiency of
 production of
 a marketable
 product. Meat
 and Skin
 The improved
 Boer goat
343
 Ramsay et al.
 ICAR Technical Series - No 3
 ? implement an annual short course on Boer Goats and to train judges
 and inspectors;
 ? compile and distribute an information brochure and to organize
 demonstrations to disseminate information regarding the breed;
 ? establish an inspection service to class and inspect flocks;
 ? introduce a more efficient grading system for Boer Goat meat;
 ? stage sales and inspect all animals offered at sales under the auspices
 of the association.
 Government support included trials in the late 1960s on grazing and
 browsing patterns and its impact on the improvement of grass coverage.
 This was followed by research into the productivity of the breed. This
 information was made available in the form of departmental publications
 and through the popular agriculture media. Other Government assistance
 included technical advice and the establishment of herds at Dohne Research
 Station in the Eastern Cape and at Grootfontein in the Northern Cape.
 Additional institutional support came from the South African StudBook
 who provided certification services as the only registering authority in
 the country. Active membership of the South African Stud Book has,
 however, fluctuated over the years, particularly amongst breeders who
 saw no need for recording and identification. Currently, there are
 12 breeders with a total of 3 866 animals registered with the South African
 Stud Book. Another eight breeders are currently being registered.
 The lack of recording in some herds recently led to problems where
 embryos with no pedigree or performance information were exported to
 Canada. Prospective importers have been advised that only breed society
 endorsed genetic material can be guaranteed.
 In 1964 when the mutton sheep performance testing scheme started Boer
 goat breeders joined the scheme. In 1970 a National Goat Performance
 testing scheme was started under the mutton scheme. This scheme
 provided a framework to record and evaluate the performance of goats
 through the following phases:
 ? Phase A: Records details of the dam, fertility, milk production and the
 growth rate of the kid/kids from birth to weaning;
 ? Phase B: Records the post weaning growth rate of the kid;
 ? Phase C: Records and determines the efficiency of feed conversion
 and the growth rate of male kids;
 ? Phase D: Measures the post weaning growth rate of male kids in
 standard conditions at a central ram-testing centre;
 ? Phase E : Determines the qualitative and quantitative carcass
 components of the progeny of a specific sire.
 First phase of
 the
 development
 of the breed
344 Breeding Strategy Workshop
 Case study: sheep in South Africa
 The number of participants has fluctuated over the years. In 1975 there
 were eight breeders with 500 ewes in the scheme and at present, there are
 12 breeders.
 Table 2 gives details of the mean adjusted 100 day mass (kg) of performance
 tested Boer Goat kids from 1970 to 1998.
 Second phase
 of the
 development
 of the breed
 Table 2. Mean adjusted 100 day mass
 (kg) of performance tested boer goats
 from 1970 to 1998 (Data from the
 National performance testing scheme).
 Year Ram
 (kg)
 Ewes
 (kg)
 1970 24.0 21.9
 1975 23.6 21.7
 1979 36.5 29.2
 1982 32.3 27.8
 1986 26.9 23.4
 1988 25.3 22.3
 Although selection has been largely concentrated on the ability to produce
 a saleable carcass off the savanna bushveld, there has been a tendency
 amongst some breeders to select for ?fancy points?, some of which may be
 negatively correlated with more important adaptive traits. Campbell (1990)
 who has played a key advisory role in the development of the breed for
 many years warned breeders not to pay too much attention to traits of
 little to no economic importance when selecting breeding stock.
 The breed was developed in the Eastern Cape where tick borne diseases
 were not a problem. Consequently, the Improved Boer goat has a low
 level of resistance to heartwater (Cowdria) compared to unimproved goats
 in areas where heartwater is endemic.
 Management practices and selection policies in some herds have also seen
 a loss of maternal behaviour where ewes do not bond effectively with
 their kids.
 These issues show that there is no universal breed. The Improved Boer
 goat was developed with focussed breeding objectives to fit into a specific
 environment. The development was very successful and the animals
 produce more meat per unit area than any other goat breed in a similar
 environment. The breed is also being used very successfully in semi-
 intensive smallholder systems in many countries. Environmental factors
 are of less importance where farmers can afford to make the necessary
 management adjustments. It should, however, always be remembered
345
 Ramsay et al.
 ICAR Technical Series - No 3
 that small stock are often of critical importance as the only sustainable
 form of animal production in arid to semi-arid areas. As such, adaptability
 and the ability to produce a useable/saleable product are the key overriding
 considerations.
 Future breeding plans must therefore always take aspects such as
 adaptability and production environment factors into consideration. Breed
 information should include production environment information to enable
 prospective breeders to make an informed choice.
 The strategies followed and experience gained during the development
 of the Dorper and the Improved Boer goat will be useful when formulating
 guidelines for livestock breeding strategies for low input environments.
 In addition, modern animal recording and evaluation technology should
 be adapted for use with specific programmes. This will enable planners
 and farmers to ensure that objectives remain focussed.
 The role of the Government and supportive institutions should also be
 taken into consideration, particularly when it comes to identification,
 recording, evaluation of production traits and processing of performance
 data
 In developing guidelines, the following should be taken into consideration:
 ? What are the objectives of the programme? Meat, milk, fibre, a
 combination?
 ? What can the production environment support?
 ? What genetic material is available and what is the potential of this
 material?
 ? What shortcomings are there in the general phenotype and genotype?
 ? Can the available resource be used to produce?
 ? What breeds can be used to develop a composite that will meet the
 needs of the basic objective?
 ? Will the development require institutional support? If so, in what form?
 and what is available?
 ? What identification, recording and evaluation system will ensure that
 the primary objective remains focussed?
 Taking the Dorper as an example, modern breeding, recording and
 evaluation technology can assist in ensuring that the initial objective, the
 development of an adapted meat-producing sheep will remain focussed.
 Evaluations would be able to predict trends that could be rectified earlier
 than present. Throughout this process, the following should always be
 kept in mind:
 Discussion.
 Using the
 experience to
 develop
 guidelines
346 Breeding Strategy Workshop
 Case study: sheep in South Africa
 Breeding goals should always be defined in simple but explicit economic
 and biological terms. These include: more emphasis on reproduction rates,
 reducing the number of traits selected for by excluding those of doubtful
 economic importance and maintaining effective herd/flock sizes and
 composition (Hofmeyr, 1978).
 Campbell, Q.P. 1984. The development of a meat producing goat in
 South Africa. Proc. 2nd World Congress on Sheep and Beef Cattle Breeding
 (1984).
 Campbell, Q.P. 1999. Personal communication.
 Casey, N. H. 1990. Meat, Dairy and Dual Purpose Goats: Meat as a
 Primary and Secondary product with special reference to the Boer Goat.
 University of Pretoria ? internal publication.
 Hofmeyr, J.H. 1978. The application of genetic resources for animal
 production in Southern Africa. S. Afr. J. Anim Prod. 8:(1) 69-78.
 Lochner, H. 1996. Stoetboere uit pas met kuddebehoeftes.
 Landbouweekblad 951: 10-13.
 Nel, J.A. 1993. Geskiedenis van die Dorper. Die
 Dorperskaaptelersgenootskap van Suid Afrika. Middelburg, Cape.
 Olivier, J.J. 1999. Doeltreffende produksie per dier- sleutel vir
 rasverbetering. Dorper News No. 58, 8-9.
 Olivier, J.J. 1999. Die Nasionale kleinveeverbeteringsskema.
 Presentation at a Dorper farmers day, June 1999.
 Olivier, J.J. 1999. Personal communication.
 van Niekerk, W. 1999. Dorperekologie. Dorper News No. 58, 44-45.
 References