VELDMASTER SHEEP BREEDERS SOCIETY OF …

1 VELDMASTER SHEEP BREEDERS SOCIETY OF NAMIBIA WHY THE VELDMASTER The VELDMASTER is a composite SHEEP Breed in Namibia. It is bred as a combination of non-fat tailed and fat tailed hair type SHEEP for meat production. It offers farmers an alternative with unique characteristics to meet the need of a huge market in Namibia, South Africa and around the World BLOOD TYPE AND DEVELOPMENT It was decided that: The minimum breed composition to qualify as a VELDMASTER is: a) 25% non-fat tailed SHEEP and 75% fat tailed SHEEP b) 25% fat tailed SHEEP and 75% non-fat tailed SHEEP c) or any percentage combination between 25% / 75% fat tailed and non fat tailed SHEEP This consist of the following minimum of.

2 A) 12,5% White Dorper and Dorper or 25% of one of these breeds b) Van Rooy or Persian and Damara Veldmasters must have at least % of Damara blood. We will remain an open herd book. Veldmasters are developed by crossing different Breeds and then purifying the crosses. It does not matter how BREEDERS intend to cross their Veldmasters in the development ..it is just of vital importance that at all times the Breed standards and selection norms of the VELDMASTER are strictly adhered to. The VELDMASTER sets the breed standards and how BREEDERS intend to achieve it is up to them. Completely new and unique Breed.

3 Ignores petty conformation issues. Totally focused on economic factors. BREED STANDARDS AND CHARACTERISTICS When selecting the genes necessary for the development of the VELDMASTER all emphasis where placed on three aspects for consideration. What a SHEEP breed needs to keep costs as low as possible. What a breed needs for high fertility and production to maximize income. Maximum meat within the breed standards. The Breed Standards are thus very unlike that of any other SHEEP breed. They were set up specifically to achieve what is set out above. 1) Coat Colour and Skin Pigment Any colour or combination of colours is acceptable.

4 Good skin pigmentation around the eyes and over the ears is however essential. 2) Head and Horns Ewes must be feminine tending to be polled. Rams must be masculine also tending to be polled. Lite horns in both sexes is however acceptable. 3) Coat Covering Mainly short shiny hair with an underlying blanket of fluffy fine wool. The breed must never be shorn thus natural shedding ability of the coat is essential. 4) Conformation and Legs The SHEEP must be of average size with a functional efficient body conformation and well placed legs with excellent walking ability. Must have an excellent balance between length, width and depth with maximum meat within the breed standards.

5 Rams must be big and muscular; more muscling is allowed at rams than at ewes. Ewes must be sleek and feminine with a well formed udder and excellent mothering ability. Good fat distribution over the whole body. 5) Tail Tail may never be amputated. The tail must have a good attachment, not longer than the hock and have a neat wedge shape with reasonable fat in comparison to its body. More fat is allowed in the ewes. 6) Herd Instinct The breed must have a strong herd instinct. 7) Culls Round or cylindrical body; Tail too short / amputation of tail; Tail too large and broad; Mouse ears; Cow hocks; Pastern-joint weak and bent down backwards; Abnormally small testicles; Too long a scrotum; Overrated goose-rump; Very small hindquarters; Very hollow back; Horns growing towards head; Short and long (uneven) jaws; Ears that are too immobile, lying flat against the cheeks; Too small for age, or pony type; No pigmentation; Too woolly/ woolly legs; Head too narrow and short; 8) Enforced Selection to Achieve the Following: Highly fertile SHEEP .

6 Good mothers that rear their lambs adequately. Virile rams with excellent serving ability. SHEEP with a good walking ability. Lambs that will reach a slaughter mass of at least 18kg at 6 months. BREEDERS are encouraged to breed SHEEP suited to their environment and feeding conditions. Different types are thus allowed. IN ALL ASPECTS IT MUST BE AN EASY CARE SHEEP . Veldmasters should be bred and managed under natural conditions that suits the farmer in different areas with no or very limited licks or concentrates. Breeding Standards confirms the fact that there is no breed at present that has remotely the same breed standards.

7 The breeding standards only concentrates on economic aspects, it simply states a good functional efficient body conformation. 9) Shows The VELDMASTER may participate on all livestock shows within Namibia under the following classes: Group Classes: 1. Group of 3 ewe lambs unshed 2. Group of 3 ram lambs unshed 3. Group of 3ewes two teeth and older 4. Group of 3 rams two teeth and older 5. Group ram & ewe two teeth and older & two lambs (both sexes included) Ewes: 6. Ewe lamb 20 - 40 kg 7. Ewe lamb 40 - 50kg 8. Ewe lamb 50 60 kg 9. Ewe lamb, over 60kg Junior Champion Ewe Reserve Junior Champion Ewe 10.

8 Ewe, two teeth 11. Ewe, four teeth 12. Ewe, six teeth 13. Ewe, eight teeth Senior Champion Ewe Reserve Senior Champion Ewe Grand Champion Ewe Reserve Champion Ewe Rams: 14. Ram lamb 25 - 45 kg 15. Ram lamb 45 55 kg 16. Ram lamb 55 65 kg 17. Ram lamb, over 65kg Junior Champion Ram Reserve Junior Champion Ram 18. Ram, two teeth 19. Ram, four teeth 20. Ram, six teeth 21. Ram, eight teeth Senior Champion Ram Reserve Senior Champion Ram Grand Champion Ram Reserve Champion Ram