AFTER switching from cattle to Dorper sheep four years ago, Chris Evans has not looked back.
The Moama, NSW, breeder was at the Elmore Field Days last week showing off some of his commercial flock, together with the southern region of the Dorper Sheep Society.
"I just couldn't make any money off cattle in the drought," he said.
"There is more cash flow in fat lambs, and Dorpers are known for being hardy, easy care sheep."
Today, he runs 900 ewes with his wife Janice, with the aim of selling lambs at 4.5 months or 24 kilograms dressed weight.
His flock thrives on the couple's native pastures, and do well on "roughage".
Mr Evans says the popularity of the breed has grown since he established his flock, with 730 studs registered around Australia.
"They grow quick, which is what you want as a prime lamb producer," he said.
The Evans strive to produce shedding animals, which will result in fewer fly-strike cases and less drenching.
"You can join Dorpers at about 45kg, and we carry out about three lambings in two years," he said.
"It's phenomenal."
One of the Gully Green crossbred Dorper lambs got plenty of attention. Click to see more pics in our online gallery.
His flock's lambing percentages measure about 120-140 per cent, but that number can get higher in stud flocks, he said.
"The good thing about Dorpers is you can get more lambs on the ground and turn them over quicker," he said.
The ewes were also great mothers and would take any lamb, he added.
In the western region of NSW, Mr Evans said Dorpers had really taken off.
"The wool job has been depressed, so people have been looking for another avenue to make money," he said.
