How MP makes cash from breeding Dorper

There is a growing interest in Dorper sheep as more farmers have realised their economic value and market potential.

Dorper, a white-bodied and blackhead sheep, originally from South Africa, is gaining popularity owing to its attributes of being fast-growing, hardiness, quick reproduction and multiplication and its delicious lean meat.

According to breeders in the industry, milestones have been attained in Kenya, but the excellent attributes of South African developed Dorper sheep is yet to be matched.

The Smart Harvest visited an established breeder from Soy Sub-county, Uasin Gishu County running DK Dorper Breeding farm that is making strides in breeding using a ram that was imported from South Africa at Sh140,000 four years ago.

The farm that practices zero grazing has since graduated from grade four Dorper sheep and now has grades three to one and consistently improving. Grade one is the most superior.

"We have gradually improved breeds and our target is to achieve only grade one by 2026. That will be a great milestone for us," says David Kiplagat, the proprietor DK Dorper Breeding farm.

Kiplagat who is a Member of Parliament for Soy constituency, says before he embarked on the Dorper project, he researched a lot about Dorper breeding in South Africa and how they have made great strides.

"I started my Dorper farm with intention of improving sheep production in the country. I noted with concern that most breeds that local farmers had, were those weighing between 10 and 20 kilograms and would fetch between Sh6,000 and Sh15,000 yet a South African Dorper can fetch upto Sh200,000," says Kiplagat, who has an Information Communication Technology background.

Housing needs

Dorper sheep is classified based on characteristic attributes upto T 5, a class which is described as excellent in reproduction, weight gain and high-quality meat.

This class, Kiplagat says, is only achieved in South Africa and can fetch as much as Sh5 million.

Kiplagat who visited sheep farms in South Africa is confident that with upgrading, Kenya can have quality grades over time.

"I realised importing Dorper ewes was expensive that is why I decided to look for those with nice attributes kept by local farmers, bought them for breeding and imported ram and started my breeding journey," he says.

At Kiplagat's farm, the sheep are housed in neatly designed structures made of raised timber and iron sheet.

The sheep are kept in separate paddocks based on age, sex, feeding needs and stage of development.

For instance, there is a maternity for the lambing ewes in accordance with their grades from three to one.

The breeder farm has already sold high grades of rams, fetching good fortunes.

"We use ewes for incubation and curl the flock when the number of rams increase. A ram aged four to six months sells at between Sh50,000 to Sh60,000, the year-old sells at Sh100,000 while the fully developed at two and a half years retails at between Sh170,000 to Sh200,000," explains Kiplagat.

To maintain high standards, Kiplagat has employed a qualified veterinary manager who managed five other staff to ensure sound management.

"Our farm manager is a holder of Veterinary and Animal Health and production Degree and oversees feeding, health in support of other staff who does manual work. I call for updates every evening. To check on the sheep, I come home every weekend taking a break from my legislative duties. The farm was only affected during campaign period but now, it is under close supervision."

Milestones

There are no shortcuts at the farm, he stresses.

"In Dorper farming, you need to be professional. It can be expensive, like any other business when you are starting and setting up structures. Patience is key," says Kiplagat.

At the farm, the mature breeds weigh an average of 100 kilos each, with the heaviest ram hitting 137 kilos.

Kiplagat notes that demand for rams is increasing and now they are targeting to have between 50 and 100 for sale to local farmers.

"There is a huge demand for rams. In this farm, we do not argue about the price but discuss whether we have the rams or not," he says.

Along the journey, the Dorper farm attained 300 improved sheep, but management has been curling the flock and presently, they have 100 herd of improved Dorper.

"We have 30 grade one Dorper, and we target at having at least 70. The advantage is that grade one reproduce twins and new production will give 70 per cent of rams, which is ideal for improving breeds. My advice to breeders is to have a few and good quality breeds to control in-breeding," says Kiplagat.

He says the farm reduced the flock by selling 40 rams in a public auction two years ago, which fetched Sh2.5 million.

Best practice tips

Kiplagat who initiated the venture four years ago as Uasin Gishu County assembly Speaker says the sheep need a balanced diet.

The good thing is that compared to dairy cows, their consumption need is low.

"In our region, we have plenty of food. We plant maize for silage and grass for hay and only buy supplements including wheat bran and maize germ to ensure a balanced diet," he says.

To keep diseases at bay, the animals are closely monitored and they follow a strict vaccination plan.

They are also sprayed with acaricides to prevent tick attacks and the housing units are kept warm to prevent pneumonia infections among the younger flocks.

For those interested in sheep breeding Kiplagat's message is for them to start small.

"You don't have to have a lot of land to keep sheep. We have kept 400 sheep on a 0.2 acre farm. To make it, don't look for quick returns because you might get disappointed. Be patient and consistent and the rewards will come... All is possible with determination and commitment. In only four years, we have managed to upgrade from grade 4 to 1," says Kiplagat, adding that demand for mutton and lamb meat is high in Dubai.

He says investing in quality is key.

Timothy Kosgei, the farm manager, says feeding and controlling disease is key in sheep management.

"Vaccination and deworming processes begin at the stage of three months for sheep. They are fed twice in a day, with the diet being closely observed," says Kosgei.

For good yields, every day, he says the bulk of their work is to monitor all the sheep and ensure they are healthy and well fed throughout the breeding period.

AI for sheep

"Like any other business, there are low moments. We have faced loss of stock due to diseases, but that has not dampened our spirits. We soldier on despite the odds," Kiplagat says.

For his future plans, Kiplagat who is also a member of Agriculture committee in Parliament says he is looking at ways to introduce Artificial Insemination for sheep in Kenya like it happens for cows.

"It will be cost-effective since a farmer can invest only Sh1,000 for good sheep genetics like in cattle, rather than importing rams," he notes.