
Bel-Fair Farm was started in 2006 when Howard and Elaine Dustin retired to the beautiful rolling hills of Tennessee with their
Paso Fino
horses. Their prime focus was to enjoy trail riding in this great state on their beloved breed of horse. Although breeding was not their main objective they did produce, raise and train a couple of foals, which were later sold. They presently own 5 of these outstanding horses
for their own pleasure, as well as a miniature horse.
Among their pets are also chickens for eggs, several barn and house cats, and several nice loving, herding dogs.
The farm consists of 60 acres of prime pasture and hay. Their hay is fertilized annually and reseeded when needed, to produce a nice quality of Orchard and Timothy for both their horses and sheep.
Past residents of Massachusetts, where they had once raised Suffolk sheep, they had considered the idea of getting back in to sheep. But since they were older now, the thought of shearing caused them to reject the idea until 2011, when their love for sheep and especially the meat from the lambs, forced them to once again explored the idea. Research leads them to the hair breeds, and eventually to purchasing the Dorper Sheep and the Katahdin.
Their first objective was to purchase high quality of breeders in both breeds. Their foundation
Dorper ram, was chosen from a large
Dorper show where he received 1st place over a large entry of fall rams. At this same show, they were able to purchase several nice ewes. They fell in love instantly with the
Dorper. They were docile compared to the Suffolk, had a good flocking instinct and were easy to manage. But they knew they wanted another hair breed to eventually cross for commercial stock, as well as maintaining the registered breeds. After further research the
Katahdin sheep was chosen and the search was on again for high quality breeders. They were located on a farm in Alabama, raised by a dedicated couple who maintained a small flock. Although this breed was less friendly at the beginning, they quickly won their hearts and respect. Their intelligence and willingness to respond was amazing.
All Belfair sheep are Registered. The Dustin’s continue to strive for correctness in both breeds. All their
Katahdins our genotyped RR with only a couple of QRs. Their goal with this breed is to breed for
Katahdins that have less leg and more carcass, that can maintain in both a grass-fed program and or also a grain-fed program. They have strived to produce
Dorpers that are shorter on leg with long backs and plenty of great carcass. They are striving to produce a flock of
Dorpers that will be genotyped as QR or more importantly RR and still maintain the traits that are so important in making the
Dorper the ideal sheep.
They now offer show, breeders and market lambs and sheep. Call for prices.
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