Poll Dorset
The Poll Dorset breed was developed in Australia from 1937 to 1954 by introducing the poll gene into Dorset Horn flocks from other poll breeds.
The Poll Dorset is a short-wooled meat producing animal. It is by far the most popular of the terminal sire breeds in the production of prime lambs from crossbred mothers.
The breed has responded to the challenge of change over the past decade, becoming a larger, longer and leaner animal with excellent growth rates and muscling. Prime lambs, produced mainly from mating Poll Dorset rams to crossbred Merino mothers, continue to improve average weight and carcase yield. This is through increasing use of the genetic improvement program LAMBPLAN®, and through improved nutrition and management of the growing lamb. In 1992 the Poll Dorset Meat Elite Flock program was set up to identify superior genetic seedstock in the breed.
Its success in the production of large, lean lambs, is due to its high yielding carcases, with excellent eye muscling and ratio of lean meat to fat. Lambs sired by Poll Dorsets can satisfy the lightweight Middle Eastern market at 12kg to 15kg, the local market at 18kg to 22kg or the export market at 20 to 25kg or heavier.
The Poll Dorset is highly fertile and capable of breeding at a young age. It is noted for its exceptional mothering and milking ability. It produces a dense Downs type short wool of around 30 microns.
Poll Dorset sheep are available throughout southern Australia in relatively large numbers. Export sales continue to countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and North and South America.
Further information is available from:
The Australian Poll Dorset Association Inc
GPO Box 75B
Melbourne VIC 3001
www.polldorset.org.au
