Van Rooy sheep are a breed of domestic sheep from South Africa. It is also known as Van Roy White Persian, Van Roy Percy (Africa) and White Persian. The breed was first bred in 1906. J.C. Van Roy.
The breed was named after JK Van Roy, a South African senator and farmer from the Betuli region.
Van Rooy sheep are actually a cross between native African Ronderibes, Ramboules and Persian Blackspots. This is a fat-tailed breed of sheep that is usually bred for meat production.
The first Van Rooy embryos were imported to Australia in 1998. The sheep are now used as primary bulls in White Dorper’s modernization programs.
The genetics of this breed also contributed to the development of the Australian white sheep breed. However, read more about this breed below.
Characteristics of the Van Roy sheep
Van Rooy sheep are medium to large sized animals with completely white bodies. They have droopy ears and rams and sheep are questioned. Photos and information from ansi.okstate.edu and Wikipedia.
Advantages
It is a breed of mutton. It is grown mainly for meat production.
Special Notes
Van Rooy sheep are strong and hardy animals. Today, the breed is still raised primarily in dry areas where survival and reproduction on natural pastures are essential for economical meat production.
Some farmers also use the hardiness of Van Roy sheep to cross with Dropper, White Dorper Dawn Merino and others to produce a heavier lamb for slaughter.
The milking ability of ewes, combined with their ability to use natural pasture under adverse conditions, ensures maximum productivity in drier areas. The breed is now relatively rare, even in South Africa.
But the breed was also exported to Zimbabwe and Namibia. However, check out the full profile of this breed in the following table.
| Breed name | Van Roy |
| another name | Also known as Van Rooy White Persian, Van Roy-Persy (Africa) and White Persian |
| Purpose of the breed | Meat |
| Special Notes | Hardy and hardy, suitable for crossing with other breeds of sheep to produce a heavier lamb for slaughter, good milkability, which is now quite rare even in South Africa. |
| Breed size | medium |
| horns | Interviewed |
| climatic tolerance | native climate |
| Color | White |
| scarcity | general |
| Country/place of origin | Republic of South Africa |
