The Dorper Society is the only sheep Society in Australia that has well Developed education material and has developed week long courses as part as an overall Quality Assurance program for the Dorper Breed. A well defined education structure has been established and people wishing to further their knowledge of the Breed can take advantage of this structure, it is a very useful tool for studs and commercial breeders alike. The aim of the courses are to help Breeders to become confident in selecting the right Rams and Ewes for breeding to maximise the cost effectiveness of having a flock that is both fertile, structurally correct and producing the maximum amount of meat per acre, utilising all the desirable qualities and attributes that the Dorper has been selectively breed for over 60 years. The education program is very practically oriented and based on common sense and a lot of cumulative experience. Many Stud masters, Veterinarians’ and researchers have contributed to this knowledge bank.

Junior Course
The junior course is run over five days and participants can expect to spend about 40% of the time in the classroom on theory and 60% of the time in the yards looking at sheep. There is a theory exam at the end of the week and a practical test which involves ranking Rams and ewes using the Dorper Breed Standard.

Senior Course
The senior course is exactly the same format as the Junior course and people may attempt the senior course only after passing the Junior course. The difference is in the practical exam which involves a far more rigorous testing of one’s ability to place functionally sound sheep in the correct order and correctly identify animals with undesirable faults according the breed standard.

Judges
Judges are qualified to be appointed by the Dorper Society Board after successfully completing two senior courses and a Judges exam.

Inspectors
Inspectors are chosen from Judges by the Dorper Society Board from qualified Judges. Inspectors are able to class animals according to the breed standard. Courses are hosted by members of the Dorper Society who have enough animals and the appropriate facilities to ensure a good education experience. The courses are run by Inspectors approved by the Dorper Society.

Burrawang Courses
At Burrawang we believe that this commitment to quality control and education is the main reason for the outstanding success of the Dorper Breed worldwide and we are happy to host two education courses each year. The cost of the course is $550 per person and this includes courseware, meals and accommodation for the five day course. Details of dates are regularly posted on the Dorper Society website under “calendar of events”. In 2011 Burrawang is hosting courses from the 28th of March till the 1st of April and again on August 15th to 19th. Contact us by email and place your name on the list, we cap class sizes at 17 per class.