Since the establishment of our first stud flock, the remarkable number of striking characteristics of the Ile de France have become familiar on the South African scene. The Ile de France is a large, smooth-bodied, polled mutton sheep. The breed is renowned for its unique carcass qualities, excellent growth rates, as well as high fertility and good mothering abilities. Its ability to breed out-of-season enables lambing to take place in autumn and for the lambing interval to be reduced to 7-8 months, allowing 3 lambings in 2 years.

ILE DE FRANCE BREED OBJECTIVES

As is the case with most other concerns, the Ile de France Society has determined certain goals, l.e., to strive towards efficient meat production within a given environment measured as maximum return of quality meat (in other words, total mass of lamb produced per lactation) per unit of metabolic mass of the breeding ewe together with wool of an acceptable quality which further contributes to the total nett income.These goals can be obtained by continues selection for:

• effective ewe production, i.e., fertility (age at sexual maturity, conception ability and lambing intervals; fecundity (number of lambs born per lambing) and mothering ability (number of lambs weaned and milk production)
• improved lamb growth for increased carcass mass and quality.
• The Ile de France breed is ideally suited to fulfill these economic objectives

Click on the image below to view additional information on the Ile de France Breed Objectives

THE ILE DE FRANCE SELECTION SYSTEM

The Ile de France-breed is unique in that it is one of a few breeds having its own scientifically formulated selection system, formulated for the optimum attainment of the above economic goals. Participation in official performance testing is compulsory.

BREED CHARACTERISTICS CONFORMATION

The Ile de France is a polled, white sheep with a fleece free of pigmentation and is renowned for the following conformation characteristics:

PRODUCTION QUALITIES

Birth Mass

Lambs are small under normal feeding practices (appr. 4 kg) and lambing problems seldom occur. Due to the remarkable vigour of the lambs together with the outstanding mothering ability of the ewes, the birth mortality rate is limited to a minimum.

Growth Rate

The Ile de France lamb has excellent growth abilities and with good nutrition, weights of between 19 and 22 kg at 42 days and between 34 and 41 kg at 100 days can easily be achieved. Hence the popularity of the Ile de France and Ile de France cross lambs - it enables the producer of slaughter lambs to market lambs from as early as 100 days and, therefore, more ewes can be kept on the same size of pasture.

Carcass Qualities

Results achieved at the National Carcass Competition undoubtedly prove that the Ile de France has outstanding carcass characteristics. (Slaughtering out % of up to 53% where 59% has been officially recorded)
The Characteristics are:

• Free of excessive fat
• Outstanding muscle development
• Large percentage of better cuts

Sexual maturity

Ewe lambs can be mated at an early age provided that they are well-developed with an average body mass of approximately 55 kg. This outstanding early sexual maturity enables the breeder to increase total longetivity lamb production.

Mating

The ability to breed "out of season" makes it possible to let ewes lamb every 7-8 months, which in practice means that 1,3 natural cycle pregnancies per year are achieved.

Prolificacy

Ewes have an outstanding multiple pregnancy ability and lambing percentages of between 150 to 170% are achieved in flocks. Where the system of three lambing seasons in two years is adopted, a lambing percentage of 220% per annum is no exception. The prolificy of a ewe is determined by her age rather than by season of lambing. Provided that they are well-developed rams can be used from the age of 10 months. Ile de France rams are non seasonal active workers.

Milk Production and Mothering Ability

Due to the exceptionally good milk yield of ewes twins and triplets are reared without difficulty. As a result of outstanding mothering abilities a close linked bond exists between the ewes and lambs.

Longevity

Ewes still produce lambs at the age of 9-10 years depending on nutrition. The case on record of a ewe of 11 years that produced 29 lambs is indeed proof to substantiate this fact.

Adaptability

Ile de France are found in more than 30 countries around the world. The breed is renowned for its excellent performance under semi-intensive, intensive and extensive conditions.

Wool qualities

The Ile de France produces a white, strong wool (23 - 27 micron) with a fleece free of pigmentation. The weight of a 12-month fleece is 3 - 4,5kg for ewes and 5-6 kg for rams with a staple of between 80 and 90 mm. First generation crosses with Merino ewes produce an outstanding medium wool.

Crossing ability

As a terminal sire, the Ile de France ram conveys its exceptional conformation, muscle development and fast growth rate to its progeny with dominating effect. This quality is mainly responsible for the popularity of the Ile de France ram amongst producers of slaughter lambs and the breed indeed makes a big contribution, to supply the consumer with good quality lamb. Ile de France cross-bred females are high in demand due to their fertility, good milk production and outstanding mothering ability.

Dohne ooi met 4,5 mnde IDF kruis. Lam weeg 46kg (slag uit 23.5kg).	Merino ooi met IDF x lam
Dorper ooi met IDF x lam weeg 40kg op 80 dae met intensiewe voeding.

Society

The Ile de France Sheep Breeders' Society is based in Bloemfontein and as further support, Ile de France clubs exist in the RSA. Inspections for functional efficiency are done by well-trained breed inspectors who also ensure that the breed standards are maintained at a high level. Prospective breeders and commercial slaughter lamb producers are invited to contact the Society at the following address for more information.

AANDAG KOMMERSIëLE TELERS
Alle kommersiële telers wat 'n IDF ram en/of IDF in hulle kudde gebruik moet die Genootskap dringend kontak.
Ons wil 'n opname doen hoeveel slaglammers in die land is.
Kontak June Wiid,
Tel: 051-4302455
Faks: 051-4484220
E-pos:idf@studbook.co.za