Wecome to Rocky Top Farm


Susan, and our kids: Vicky, Brenden, Tabitha, and David.



Katie and lambs

Rocky Top Farm - Dorper Sheep

Located in Richmond, Ohio, we are a family operation including Bob, Susan, and our kids: Vicky, Brenden, Tabitha, and David.

Our farm is the best place to find Dorper sheep for sale in Ohio and surrounding states. We are close enough to the following states to sell our sheep:

  • Ohio (of course)
  • Western Pennsylvania
  • Eastern Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • West Virginia
  • Virginia
  • Northern Tennessee

Our spring 2009 lambs will be available in July, they will be wean at 3 months of age and gene tested. Dorper lambs sell fast so call or email us and we will put you on the list for lambs.

So, if you are looking for Dorpers for sale in Ohio or any of the above states, please contact us.

We are a forage-based operation with multiple pastures for flock rotation. Loose minerals are provided free-choice. The flock is provided supplement in inclement weather.

Worming and veterinarian services are provided as required. All our sheep are vaccinated with CD&T yearly. We do faecal egg counts to monitor worms in our flock and worm as required. Then we collect faecal samples 10-14 days after worming to monitor results. All animals are free of foot-rot and sore-mouth.

We are striving to develop a strong ewe flock-base with exceptional maternal instincts, parasite resistance, and early lamb growth. We are testing for codon 171. We raise South African Dorper sheep, producing top-quality animals for breeding. We are proud of the outstanding genetics in our flock. We strive to produce outstanding genetics and great quality Dorper sheep for breeding stock. Although our flock have their foundation from some of the best breeders in the industry, we continuously improve our genetics, thus further strengthening the quality of our flock.

In 2007 we were one of the first Dorper breeders, in the Country to join NSIP. National Sheep Improvement Program -- is a computerized, performance-based program for genetic selection. NSIP is designed to help purebred sheep producers identify the best genetic stock for their breeding programs. NSIP also gives breeders reliable information that they can use to advertise and sell their breeding stock. NSIP uses the most modern, scientifically-proven technology to measure genetic performance. "EPD"

Members of American Dorper Sheep Breeder's Society. All sheep sold include American Dorper Sheep Breeder's Society (ADSBS) registration paper work.

Scrapie Prevention


(This year RR Fullblood Sire for 2009 breeding season is Ottis)

Ottis lambs has started to hit the ground on Thanksgiving day all will be QR or RR at codon 177.




Ottis RR Ram at 7 months

Ottis is a RockyTopFarm Ram that just turn 1 year old and we will be using as our main Ram in 2009/2010.

  • Thick muscled and balanced
  • Shed good a great hair coat which should pass on to his lambs
  • Codon tested (RR) will pass at least one (R) to his lambs

We are in the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Identification Program and now breeding for the (R) gene in Fullblood Dorper!
Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep. The most common strain of scrapie in the USA is strain C. A sheep that has QR or RR at codon 171 of its normal prion gene is genetically resistant to scrapie. A sheep that has QQ at 171 is susceptible to scrapie.

We decided to actively introduce the R factor in our flock in 2006 and make this important trait available to you. At that time there were only about 2% to 3% of Fullblood Dorpers breeding stock in the US that carry the R gene, we are pleased to announce that we have some of the top Dorper genetics with the R factor at codon 171 in our flock.

About Us


Jefferson County Fair 8-14-07

2007 Jefferson County Fair 8-14-07

  • Vicky,
    Division 1 - A class 2nd. Place
    Division 1 - C class 1st. Place
    Division 1 - Grand Champion
  • Brenden,
    Division 1 - A class 3th. Place
    Division 1 - C class 2nd. Place
    Division 1 - Reserve Champion
  • Tabitha,
    Division 1 - A class 4th Place
  • David, Only Seven will show in 2008 was my number 1 helper.

On November 5th, 1983, Susan and I started our partnership together. Our dream was a farm and kids. We bought our property in 1993 to build our house. We did not anticipate the problems to come. We started digging the foundation for our house shortly after purchase. We were told by our contractor that normally digging a foundation requires eight hours. 40 hours later, the bulldozer and backhoe together were pulling out boulders some the size of a small car! That's how we came to be Shimmel's Rocky Top Farm.

In 1998, we talked to my friend who had Dorper sheep. It sounded like something we would like to try and probably would enjoy, but decided to wait for awhile.

In the meantime, we decided to buy 20 head of cattle, to clear some pasture, and see how things would go. Eventually, we decided this was not for us, so we sold our cattle.

By 2000, our family had grown with the addition of 4 children: 2 boys and 2 girls. Now our children could enjoy the farm and animals with us. (Our oldest two children will be old enough for 4-H in 2005; they can hardly wait!)

In 2002, we decided to buy two horses for riding. I enjoy riding around the farm to check fences, and going with our neighbor on trail rides. We also enjoy simply watching the horses graze in the pasture. Our kids enjoy feeding them apple and carrot treats.

Then we decided to begin our venture in Dorper sheep. It was a good decision. Our whole family loves them! They are easy to handle for us and especially for our kids. The kids enjoy helping us feed and take care of the sheep.


RR Ram for 2009 fall breeding

Special News


We have a few of ours January 2009 50% lambs for sale .

Fall 09 lambing will start in the end of November. Dorper lambs sell fast so call or email us and we will put you on the list for lambs.

Member Of Ohio Valley Regional Dorper Association

  • Check out our photo page for photos of ours kids' 4H lambs.
  • Percentage, purebred, and full blood Dorpers for breeding stock; we are in Ohio and show Dorper sheep at the fair.
  • Dorpers for sale starting at 175.00





Morning Prayer

Dear Lord, So far I've done all right. I haven't gossipped, haven't lost my temper, haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. I'm really glad about that. But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed. And from then on,I'm going to need a lot more help.



Last updated on: Mar 07, 2010

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Click here to see the website!
www.nsip.org

Breed Association NSIP

Click here to see the website!
www.ovrda.org

We are members of the Ohio Valley Regional Dorper Society. The goals of the group are:
1. Promote and educate the public about the Dorper breed.
2. Establish a Commercial Breeding Stock Sale to enable others to get their start with Dorpers.
3. Promote and establish a market for Dorper and Dorper cross lamb and create a steady supply through our growing OVRDA membership.

Click here to see the website!
www.dorperamerica.org