The Denand Ile de France Stud consists of 330 stud ewes & 10 flock sires. The stud, currently 19 years old, is focused on production of stud rams for the stud market as well as the commercial market.
The necessity of profitable farming made us realize that one of the most important characteristics of sheep breed had to be that of excellent growth rate combined with low feed turnover. Since 1989, Denand selected animals on low birth mass, milk production (42day index) and growth capacity (100day index) and the selection process insured that only above average animals were held back for breeding.
At selection of rams the process doesn’t stop there. On grounds of the 42 & 100 day indexes, rams are chosen to take part of the Phase D growth test of 60 days, closely monitored by the Agricultural Research Board. (LNR) Rams with an index of less than 90 during Phase D, are slaughtered and only after inspection of the association are rams offered for sale.
The highest growth rate thus far for a ram is 704 gram per day over a 60day period. It is however important to rather look at the index than the growth rate per day, as the index eliminates changeable factors like nutrition, weather etc.
The Denand Ile de France Stud is currently the largest in South Africa. |
