the dorset horn 2 - Northernhorse.com

THE DORSET HORN 2nd edition volume 2-2007
Classic Champion Ewe
Collins Horned Dorsets
Champion Classic Ram
Collins Horned Dorsets
Dream Maker Freightliner
High selling Horned Dorset
Atkinson Invitational
HORNED DORSETS by Karl Bowen
This “antique” breed will never go out of fashion. Few breeds of sheep can brag about keeping their
genes pure with the ability to lamb three times in two years.
Horned Dorsets are the original breed of Dorsets. They come from Dorset and Somerset, England.
A mature ram weighs from 175 to 250 pounds. Ewes average 125 to 175 pounds. They have a deep
body, the back is strong with a broad loin. The hindquarters are reasonably full and generally meated well down
the hock. The ram’s horns are very large, curving downward, forward then upward to form graceful spirals. The
ewes have more delicate horns, which grow outward and downward and then curve in towards the face. The
fleece is very white, weighing 6-10 pounds. Wool on the forehead forms a sort of tuft that stops at a line just
above the eyes. The face is white with a pink nose. Legs are usually free of wool below the knee. Ewes will
receive a ram at almost any time of the year and where rams run with a flock, one can expect lambs throughout
the year. It is not uncommon to have 2 lamb crops in 12 months, but it is not wise, but three lamb crops in 2
years does not harm the future ability of the ewe. Twins are more the rule than singles with triplets not being
uncommon. When buying a ram for breeding purposes, he should be a twin or triplet with his horns out from the
side of his head. Another special feature of the Horned Dorset is their heavy milk production. They are the
Holstein of the sheep family. Horned Dorsets are used for dairy purposes as well as for their wool. Ewes have
retained their milking ability and they seldom fail to claim their lambs, which grow fast on their mother’s milk.
BOWEN PRIDE HORNED DORSETS submitted by Karl Bowen
On june 11 1976 I bought 3 Grade Horned Dorset ewes from Bob Dearn of Aylmer, Ontario and a
crossbred ram. I bought the first registered ram from Wm. Thirwall of Denfield in 1976, also purchased a
registered ewe. In 1977 a registered ewe was purchased from Earl Drury of Blenheim. The flock dates back to
the Thirwall and Drury breeding along with some Joywind. In 1980 I got on the ROP and in 1987 I got
interested in the Rare Breeds of Farm Livestock. Jy and Gail Chiperzak and I traded a ram and 2 ewes. From
1990 to 1997 I bought registered rams from Don Dearing of Exeter. Bowen Pride runs 12 ewes and 2 rams.
Today Bowen Pride ewes have Joywind, Thirwall, Lamb Trax, Dearing, Tigchu, Paff and Dream Maker
breeding.
A bit about my management. Mineral and salt is available at all times. Ewes are fed oats/ barley mix with a
small amount of corn added in winter only. Lambs are fed a mixture of whole oats, cracked corn and Lambena.
All ewes receive 1cc of selenium when they go in with ram. Ewes receive 2cc of Covexin 8 4 to 6 weeks before
th
lambing. Lambs get ¾ cc of selenium at birth and ½ cc at 1 ½ months. Lambs receive Covexin 8 at 12 weeks
(4cc) and a 2cc booster six weeks later. Breeding rams receive Covexin 8 on January 1st.
I highly recommend this breed to hobby farmers. You will be glad you chose Horned Dorsets.
Bowen Pride ewes
Bowen Pride lambs
ATKINSON INVITATIONAL SALE compiled from John Fisher and Beth Collins
The place to be on May 19th was at the Atkinson Invitational sale near New Lowell, Ontario. A select
group of Horned Dorsets joined a multitude of other sheep from various breeds to go on the Auction block.
Dreammaker Stock Farm (John Fisher) and Collins Horned Dorsets (Beth Collins) presented an excellent set of
Horned Dorsets which met with a positive response from buyers. Bids from Alberta to the Maritimes came in
with the sheep ultimately selling to buyers from Ontario and New Brunswick. The top selling Horned Dorset
ram, named Freightliner, came from Dreammaker and sold to Norman Allen (New Brunswick). 2 excellent
yearling ewes from Dreammaker sold to Jason Philips from Midland, Ontario. Allen Bickell from Ontario
purchased a bred ewe from Collins as well as a fall ewe lamb from Dreammaker. Gord Marks of Little Britain,
Ontario purchased another Dreammaker ewe. The other Horned Dorset entry was a ram from Dreammaker
selling to a Shelburne, Ontario buyer, Dennis Edwards.
Dream Maker Freightliner at Norman Allen’s
Collins ewe sold at Atkinson Sale
2007 ALL CANADA CLASSIC SHOW AND SALE by Patric
June 8th and 9th were busy days in Brandon, Manitoba. A small but excellent set of Horned Dorsets
participated. Collins Horned Dorsets and Dreammaker Stock Farm had entries. John Fisher shipped his sheep
out with a group form Onatario. Beth Collins sheep were on the same load, while she flew out later. The Horned
Dorsets were well received in Manitoba and gleaned a sale average that was higher than the general sale
average. This is a testament to the quality of sheep that Beth Collins and John Fisher presented. Active bidding
resulted with sheep selling to Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta. The Champion ram, Collins Roger Son 497S
was exhibited by Beth Collins (Collins Horned Dorsets) and sold to Coyote Acres. The reserve champion ram,
Dream Maker 85S, from John Fisher (Dream Maker Stock Farm) sold to Peter Wallace from Ontario. The
Champion ewe, Collins Roger Sherry 30S, from Beth Collins sold to Coyote Acres. The reserve champion ewe,
Dream Maker 89S, from John Fisher sold to Dennis and Jodi Ginter of Manitoba. The strong prices left some
potential buyers still looking for Horned Dorsets. Coyote Acres sheep were out of the show and sale due to an
oversite of the owner which put them in contact with sheep having keds, hence the sheep were available for
private treaty sales after the Classic concluded. The Ginters purchased the female entries of Coyote Acres
(privately). Craig Steppler of Manitoba purchased a Coyote Acres ram lamb (privately). Collins Horned Dorsets
also purchased a Coyote Acres ram lamb. On a personal note, I would like to thank Beth Collins and John
Fisher for putting forth the effort to get Horned Dorsets out in the forefront not only at the All Canada Classic
but also the Atkinson Invitational sale.
Collins ewe lamb
Dream Maker 1yr ewe
Collins ram lamb
Dream Maker 1yr ram
MAEDI VISNA - THE DISEASE
Maedi-visna (or more commonly called Ovine Progressive Pneumonia or OPP in the United States), is a
debilitating viral disease that can undermine the economic viability of a sheep flock. Although it is ultimately
fatal, most of the economic loss attributed to this disease is due to decreased milk production; lowered weaning
weights; increased incidence of severe arthritis and wasting; higher than average number of respiratory
infections; and decreased ewe fertility. The disease is common in many sheep producing countries except
Iceland, New Zealand and Australia. In the late 80’s 70% of flocks tested in Ontario had at least one positive
animal. There is no cure or treatment for the disease, however, there is a reliable blood test that can identify
infected animals.
WHAT CAUSES MAEDI VISNA?
 It is caused by a retrovirus of the Lentivirus genus, which is a member of a group of viruses that infect
their hosts for life, tend to hide out in the cells of the immune system and yet are not harmed by them,
and take years to cause damage to the host.
 Some other viruses in the lentivirus genus are Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis virus of goats, Equine
Infectious Anaemia in horses, and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
HOW DOES MAEDI VISNA PRESENT IN THE SHEEP?
 Sheep generally do not show signs until at least two years of age.
 The organs most affected are:
 THE LUNGS: fill up with fluid and inflammatory cells. The sheep will cough spasmodically
but will not have a fever and won't respond to antibiotics. Eventually the sheep will be winded
after walking a short distance
 Very commonly THE UDDER fills up with inflammatory cells and scar tissue. It appears
normal but is very hard to the touch. The milk produced looks normal but there is a decreased
amount. Lambs look hungry. Even normal feeling udders are often affected by the virus. In one
study, it was found that 66% of healthy appearing, Maedi-Visna positive ewes had udder lesions
and their lambs had lower than average weaning weights.
 Less commonly, THE NERVOUS SYSTEM is affected. The sheep trembles and may become
weak on the hind end and go down. The youngest this has been reported is in 4 to 6 month old
lambs.
 Rarely, THE JOINTS in mature sheep may be affected, resulting in arthritis. Knees and stifles
may be swollen and stiff. Joint ill in lambs is not caused by MV-v.
 Eventually, the sheep develops chronic wasting.
HOW DOES MAEDI VISNA PRESENT IN THE FLOCK?
 The virus is highly contagious and it is not uncommon to have 30 to 40% of the adult flock infected.
 But only a small proportion of infected sheep show signs of disease. For example, generally only 2% of
infected animals show signs of chronic pneumonia and udders that may appear normal just don’t
produce the same amount of milk that it would if not affected.
HOW DOES MAEDI VISNA AFFECT THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE FLOCK?
 Older infected ewes tend to raise lighter lambs than uninfected ewes of the same age (up to 3.65 kg at
100 days of age). (Canada)
 Lambs were 1.65X more likely to die if born to a serologically positive ewe than a negative ewe.
(Canada)
 Serologically positive ewes only 2/3 as likely to lamb as serologically negative ewes (Canada)
 Serologically negative ewes tend to wean more kg of lamb per ewe lambing (3.84 kg) and per ewe
exposed to the ram (4.95 kg), than serological positive ewes (USA). (Keen et al, 1997)
 The actual losses in a particular flock are influenced by proportion of the flock infected, perhaps by the
strain of the virus, and likely by the management of the flock.
HOW IS THE DISEASE TRANSMITTED BETWEEN ANIMALS?
 The virus is shed in the colostrum, milk and feces - but most importantly by respiratory secretions.
 Newborn lambs can rarely become infected in utero but are infected more commonly by drinking their
infected dam's colostrum and milk. Lambs that steal milk from other ewes can also get infected that
way.
 One study found that 36% of lambs born to infected ewes became infected, but only 20% of lambs born
to uninfected ewes. (Howers, 1989)
 However, sheep housed in the same barn or on pasture - regardless of whether lambs or adults, can pick
up the infection from contaminated droplets coughed out or breathed out by infected adults.
Contaminated water and feed could also be a source. Only a few infected sheep can spread it throughout
the flock under intensive conditions.
 While not as important, equipment contaminated by blood can also transmit the virus, e.g. needles that
are used multiple times such as when vaccinating, and tail docking knives.
HOW DO WE KNOW IF A SHEEP IS INFECTED?
 Infected sheep produce antibodies that can be detected in the blood in most cases. A blood sample, taken
after the sheep is at least 6 months of age (so that colostral antibodies have gone), is very accurate in
determining if the sheep is infected.
 Most sheep "sero-convert" (produce antibodies and will test positive) to the virus 2 weeks to 2 months
after infection. Rarely, a sheep may take up to 6 months to sero-convert. Even more rarely, a sheep may
never sero-convert but may be infected.
 A sheep can become infected at any point in its life.
IF MY FLOCK IS INFECTED, HOW CAN THE DISEASE BE ERADICATED?
 The Ontario Maedi Visna Flock Status program will determine if your flock is infected and offers a
means to eliminate the infection and prevent the flock from re-infection using blood testing, removal of
infected sheep and their offspring, and biosecurity measures. For more information and the complete
protocols visit the website http://www.uoguelph.ca/~pmenzies/mv/OMVFSP_Program.htm
COLLINS HORNED DORSETS by Beth Collins
My name is Beth Collins and I live on a 40 acre farm in the village of Tara Ontario with my husband
Garry and my 15 year old son Andrew. After graduating from nursing school and getting married, Garry and I
settled in Tara. We helped Garry's father with his sheep and I was hooked. Garry's dad had a very mixed
commercial flock, but it was the Horned Dorsets I fell in love with. It seemed they were sometimes lambing for
a third time before others even lambed for the second time. I found them to be excellent mothers with TONS of
milk.
In the fall of 1999 I answered an ad in the newspaper and found Roger, the cornerstone of my purebred flock.
Roger was almost 3 at the time and had been with a commercial flock. I immediately brought him home and put
him to work. For several years he serviced the entire 80 plus commercial ewe flock singlehanded. In the fall of
2000 we actually moved to Garry's dad's farm and after a year, I set about finding some registered ewes to go
with Roger. I though it was a shame not to be getting some registered daughters from him.
Finally in January 2002 I purchased the Windblest flock from near Ottawa Ontario. Around the same time I
looked up a few purebred ewes from other Ontario breeders including Gerald te Velde, Lois Groves, Brian
Cathcart and Carl Bowen.
Over the next few years, I kept back my own registered Roger daughters and in 2006 I sold my commercial
flock to concentrate on an entirely purebred registered flock. I have a fairly small barn here so I leave my rams
out 365 days a year and therefore my ewes lamb all year around. This way I don't have to many lambs born at
one time and can accomodate them in my small barn. The other advantage to this system is that the ewes are
free to accelerate as they are able too.
I am enrolled in the Maedi-Visna program and have done some genetic testing to determine Scrapie resistance
in my rams and some ewes.
Roger passed away this winter at over 10 years of age. He will certainly be missed.
Recently I have been using a Douglas Down ram I call Douglas and a ram named Francis that I purchased at the
2006 Classic in Truro. Both are from Patric Lyster of Coyote Acres.
I also have a son of Roger named Percy that I use.
At the Classic this year in Brandon I was fortunate to add to my breeding program yet another Coyote Acres
ram lamb out of Double English heritage. I certainly enjoy our Horned Dorset flock and hope to have a diverse
offering of several different blood lines for sale at the upcoming Classic this July in Ilderton, Ontario.
A Collins Ram PDN 130S
Coyote Acres Francis 144R sire of PDN 130S
Classified and Business Card Ads –
BOWEN PRIDE –Aylmer, Ontario
4 Horned Dorset Rams For Sale
Twin born Jan 3, 2006
Twin born Jan 19, 2006
Single born April 23, 2006
Single born Sept 14, 2006
Contact Karl Bowen at 519-773- 3555 or by mail at 51197 Chalet Line, RR#1 Aylmer, Ont N5H 2R1.
COLLINS HORNED DORSETS – Tara, Ontario
Breeding Stock For Sale
Breeding stock for sale on farm.. View our website at
geocities.com/collinshorneddorsets
Contact Beth Collins at 519-934-3239, mail Box 67, 235 Younge Street, Tara, Ont. N0H 2N0 ,
Email :collinsb@bmts.com
DREAMMAKER STOCK FARM – Wyevale, Ontario
Breeding Stock For Sale
Stock for sale on farm.. For further information,
Contact John Fisher at 705-322-7661 or mail 379 Con 4 East, RR#1 Wyevale, Ont L0L 2T0
COYOTE ACRES – Fawcett, Alberta
Breeding Stock For Sale
A great selection of ewe and ram lambs available on farm. Delivery can be
arranged to almost anywhere in Canada. Check out our new rams from the West Coast of the U.S.A.. Further
information available on our website at coyoteacresranch.com
Contact Patric Lyster at 780-954-2443 , mail Box 118 Fawcett, Ab T0G 0Y0
Email: coyoteac@telusplanet.net
The CECIL THORPE FAMILY
3704 LARMOUR LANE, SARSFIELD
ONT K0A 3E0
tele 613-835-2942
Newsflash
by Patric Lyster
Welcome to the new Horned Dorset flock of Spiros Argiros of St. Jerome, Quebec. In July a package of 17 ewe
lambs from my Coyote Acres flock were purchased by Spiros Argiros. In late July I delivered them along with
some more from Beth Collins and Henry Sikkema. These are to be joined by more ewes or ewe lambs from
Brian Cathcart, Harry Pietersma and others to establish a flock of 50 plus with plans to expand in the next few
years. Spiros has a vast knowledge of sheep and has a very successful restaurant business. Having met Spiros,
his wife, friends and employees and experienced first hand their great hospitality, it is no wonder that the
restaurant has been so successful. If this level of dedication is extended (as I fully believe it will be)to the new
Horned Dorset flock, then we as Horned Dorset breeders are going to see the establishment of a top notch
breeding program as well as a unique marketing program based on Spiros Argiros research and knowledge.
Beth and I both wish this new venture the best of luck and look forward to working with all involved again in
the future.
Group of ewe lambs sold to Spiros Argiros
Breeders List –
Abernethy, David
6917 9th line R.R.#3 Thornton, ON L0L 2N0 tele:905- 729-2301
Abernethy, Steve
6628 RR 1 Beeton ON L0G 1A0 tele:905-729-2778
Allan, David J.
River John, Nova Scotia
Allan, Norman
Country Dream Farm 2283 rt. 115 Irishtown, N.B., E1H 2L2 tele: 506-388-2232
Allen, David
111 Fordyce Brigham QC J2K 4X3
Argiros, Spiros
St. Jerome, Quebec
Benjamins, Wayne
5569 Con 9, RR#2 Cookstown Ont L0L 1L0
Brandenberger Brother’s Farm
RR#1 Tiverton, Ont N0G 2T0
Bowen, Karl
Bowen Pride Dorsets 51197 Chalet Line, RR#1 Aylmer, Ont. N5H 2R1 tele: 519-773-3555 Email: noel vr2@hotmail.com
The Cairn Farm
contact Allen Burn Perth, Ontario
Email: cairnfarm@sympatico.ca
Cathcart,Brian
333, 8th Con, Ramsey Twp, RR#1 Carleton Place, Ont K7C 3P1
tele: 613-257-4343
Collins, Beth
Box 67, 235 Younge Street, Tara, Ont. N0H 2N0 tele: 519-934-3239
Email : collinsb@bmts.com
Comfort, Dave
St. Anns, Ont
Daigneault, Lucy
Quebec
Davies,Tina & Arthur
Emmerdale Eden Farm, 10 Linkletter Rd., RR#2, Summerside, PEI C1N 4J8
tele 902-436-5180 Email: emmerdaleorganics@hotmail.com
Fenton, Gregory
Box 124, Onanole, Manitoba, R0J 1N0
Email:sachmo@goinet.ca
Fisher, John
Dreammaker Stock Farm
tele 705-322-7661
Funk, Jerry
RR#4 Chesley, Ont N0H 1L0
Ginter, Dennis & Jodi
Neepawa, Manitoba
Groves, Lois H
Brantford, Ont
Holden, Robert
Email: rholden@ontera.net
Jansen, Marian
Cochrane, Ont
Jilesen, Peter and Wilma
2754 Bruce road 3 RR1 Paisley,Ont.N0G 2N0 Email:Jilesen@bmts.com
Johnston, Anthony
Fergis, Ont
Johnston, James & Elaine
49903 Ron McNeil Line, RR#2 Springfield, Ont N0L 2S0
Tele 519-765-4939
Lambie, Paul
Wyevale, Ont
Lang, Todd & Josee
6309 Buckhorn Road, Kamloops B.C. V1S 2A1 tele: 250-828-2293
Email: joseetoddlang@yahoo.ca
Liston, Stephen
Ashton, Ont
Lloyd, Rhonda & Carl
PO Box 21011 Cardigan PE C0A 1G0 Email: Rhonda.Lloyd@amec.com
Lynch, Robert
Mallorytown, Ont
Lyster, Patric
Coyote Acres Box 118, Fawcett, Ab. T0G 0Y0 tele: 780-954-2443
tele: 819-322-5071
tele 204-636-2580
379, Con 4 East, RR#1 Wyevale, Ont L0L 2T0
Email:steveliston@sympatico.ca
Email: coyoteac@telusplanet.net
Mark, Gord
RR#1 Little Britain, Ont. K0M 2C0
Marshall, Greg
RR#5 Kingston, Nova Scotia B0P 1R0 tele: 902-848-6013
Email: jgmarshall@eastlink.ca
Marzoff, Sara
Inglis, Manitoba
Mastine, David
St. Felix de Kingsley, Quebec
McBride, Bryan
Acton, Ont
McKnight, Murray
RR#2 Port Dover, Ont N0A 1N2 tele: 519-583-0409
Paff, Ivan & Alice
Box 176 Ailsa Craig, Ont. N0M 1A0 tele: 519-293-3362
Email: violaapaff@execulink.com
Pietersma, Harry & Eleanor Iroquois, Ont
Email: hpietersma@ripnet.com
Powell, Bill
RR#2 Desboro, Ont
N0H 1K0
Plunkert, Karen
Athens, Ont
Rathwell, June
Wiarton, Ont
Roberts, Jim & Linda
Gilford, Ont
Seguin, Maurice
Oxford Mills, Ont
Sikkema, Henry
RR#2 Allenford, Ont N0H 1A0 tele: 519-934-2477
Stafford Arseneau, Janice
Email FarmersPowell@aol.com
Perth, Ont
Steppler, Craig
Box 374 Miami, Manitoba R0G 1H0 tele: 204-435-2130
Email: craigsteppler@hotmail.com
Thorpe, Cecil
Rockelmdale Farms
Tele: 613-835-2942
Te Velde, Gerald
Owen Sound, Ont
Weldon, Michael
69 Queens Road, Sackville, N.B. E4L 4G8 tele: 506-536-2242
Email:weldonje@nbnet.nb.ca
Weihing, Waldemar
Omemee, Ont
3704 Larmour Lane, Sarsfield, Ont. K0A 3E0
Editors.
PATRIC LYSTER
BETH COLLINS
COYOTE ACRES
235 YOUNGE ST. SOUTH
BOX 118, FAWCETT , ALBERTA
TARA, ONTARIO
T0G 0Y0
N0H 2N0
Ph/fax 780-954-2443
Ph 519-934-3239
Email: coyoteac@telusplanet.net
Email: collinsb@bmts.com