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]

References

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