Van Rooy sheep explained

The Van Rooy, also known as the Van Rooy White Persian, is a breed of domestic sheep native to South Africa. The Van Rooy was first developed in 1906 by (and named for)J. C. van Rooy, a South African Senator and farmer in the Bethulie district.[1] The Van Rooy is cross between indigenous Ronderib Afrikaner sheep, and Rambouillets. It is a fat-tailed sheep and also a hair sheep, removing the need for shearing and crutching. They are generally kept for meat production, and are very well-suited to arid climates. Van Rooys are polled, have drooping ears, and are entirely white.[2] The breed is relatively rare, even in South Africa, but has also been exported to Namibia and Zimbabwe.[3]

In 1998, the first Van Rooy embryos were imported into Australia and rams have now been used as a foundation sires in White Dorper upgrading programs.[4] Van Rooy genetics have also contributed to the development of the Australian White sheep breed.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Van Rooy . ansi.okstate.edu . Oklahoma State University Dept. of Animal Science .
  2. Book: FCS Animal Production L3 . 2008 . Pearson South Africa . 978-1-77025-118-2 . 93–94 .
  3. Web site: Domestic Animal Diversity Information System . .
  4. Web site: Van Rooy Sheep. Genelink. 30 April 2011.
  5. Web site: Australian White Sheep. The Australian White Sheep Breeders’ Association of Australia. 4 May 2011.