Description
Meatmaster sheep for sale are for farmers who want a meat sheep that asks very little. The Meatmaster is a South African hair sheep built for extensive veld: no shearing, no tail docking in most flocks, good mothers and lambs that hold their own in tough conditions.
DRM Livestock supplies Meatmaster lambs, older lambs, yearling ewes, pregnant ewes and breeding rams, with delivery arranged to your farm anywhere in South Africa. Tell us what you need and we will send you a written quote with current prices and transport.
Meatmaster Sheep for Sale: What We Supply
We supply Meatmaster sheep in 5 categories, so you can buy exactly what your flock needs rather than whatever happens to be in the pen.
| Category | Age or stage | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Meatmaster lambs | 1 to 3 months | Growing out, or raising your own replacements |
| Older Meatmaster lambs | 4 to 11 months | Growing out for slaughter, or future breeding stock |
| Yearling Meatmaster ewes | 12 to 15 months | Building or growing a breeding flock |
| Pregnant Meatmaster ewes | In lamb | Adding ewes that lamb soon after arrival |
| Meatmaster breeding rams | Adult | Breeding hardy, meaty lambs |
Prices for our Meatmaster sheep for sale are on request, because they depend on the category, the number of animals and the market at the time. Every written quote includes current prices, availability and transport to your farm, usually within one working day.
Why Farmers Choose Meatmaster Sheep
The Meatmaster is a composite meat breed developed in South Africa from the 1990s. It was built largely on hardy, fat-tailed Damara sheep crossed with other meat breeds, and selected for survival, fertility and meat under extensive conditions.
- Hardiness: Meatmasters walk well, browse widely and hold condition on poor veld.
- No shearing: a hair coat that needs no shearing and less fly strike management.
- Mothering: ewes are known for lambing easily and raising their lambs with little help.
- Low maintenance: generally fewer inputs than more intensive breeds.
- Meat: a well-muscled carcass, with fat stored mainly at the tail rather than through the meat.
- Variety: Meatmasters come in many colours, and colour is not a selection priority.
For breed standards and registered breeders, visit Meatmaster SA.
Where Meatmaster Sheep Do Best
Meatmasters are at their best on extensive farms and harsh veld: the Northern Cape, the Karoo, North West, Limpopo and the drier parts of the Free State and Eastern Cape. They suit farmers who want a flock that largely looks after itself, and who cannot work their sheep every week.
Choosing the Right Meatmaster Sheep
Not all Meatmaster sheep for sale suit every farm. Match the animal to the job you need it to do.
Meatmaster lambs and older lambs
Lambs are an affordable start. Look for active, well-grown lambs with bright eyes and a clean hair coat.
Yearling Meatmaster ewes
Choose ewes with a deep body, sound feet and legs, a correct mouth and a good udder. In an extensive flock, a ewe that lambs on her own and raises her lamb is worth more than a bigger one that needs help.
Pregnant Meatmaster ewes
Pregnant ewes give you lambs quickly. Meatmaster ewes usually lamb easily, but plan transport around their lambing dates.
Meatmaster rams
Look for a ram with good muscling, strong legs and two firm, even testicles, in fit working condition before mating.
What to Check Before You Buy
Before you commit to any Meatmaster sheep for sale, from us or anyone else, check:
- Mouth: teeth should meet the pad squarely. Undershot or overshot jaws are a fault, and worn or missing teeth shorten a ewe’s working life.
- Feet: watch the sheep walk, and check for overgrown hooves and signs of footrot.
- Condition: feel over the backbone and ribs. Wool and hair can hide a thin sheep.
- Eyelids: pale inner eyelids can mean a heavy wireworm burden.
- Udder on ewes: two functional teats and no hard lumps from old mastitis.
- Testicles on rams: two, firm and even, with no lumps. Ask for a breeding soundness examination by a vet.
- Paperwork: the seller’s registered mark, a document of identification, vaccination history and, where required, a veterinary movement permit.
Delivery and Paperwork
Our Meatmaster sheep for sale are delivered to farms across South Africa, including the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West. Transport is quoted separately, because it depends on the number of animals, the distance and the route.
Sheep are cloven-hoofed, so they fall under the current foot-and-mouth disease movement controls. They may only move with the correct documents and, in affected areas, an official veterinary movement permit. We handle the identification documents with every sale and work with the state vet on movement requirements. Check new sheep for lice and sheep scab, and treat them if needed before they join your flock. On arrival, keep new animals apart from your flock for at least 28 days and give them time to settle before you work them.
How to Order Meatmaster Sheep
- Tell us what you need: the number of animals, the category (lambs, older lambs, yearling ewes, pregnant ewes or rams), and your farm location.
- Get a written quote: we send current prices, availability and transport costs, usually within one working day.
- Confirm and pay: only into our business account, against an official invoice from DRM LIVE STOCK (Company No. K2023207798).
- Delivery: we arrange transport and paperwork to your farm.
Read more on our how to buy page, or request a Meatmaster quote now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Meatmaster sheep cost in South Africa?
It depends on the category, the number of sheep and the market at the time. We send current prices, availability and transport costs with every written quote.
Meatmaster or Dorper: which is better?
Both are hair meat sheep. Dorpers are more uniform and widely traded, while Meatmasters are known for extra hardiness and low maintenance on extensive veld. The right choice depends on your farm and management.
Do Meatmaster sheep need shearing?
No. Meatmasters have a hair coat that does not need shearing.
Are Meatmasters good for beginners?
Yes. They are hardy and easy to manage, which makes them forgiving. They still need a health programme and a sensible stocking rate.
Do you deliver Meatmaster sheep to my farm?
Yes. We arrange delivery across South Africa. Transport is quoted separately, based on the number of sheep and the distance.
Do the sheep come with documents?
Yes. Every animal comes with a document of identification, and we work with the state vet on any movement permits required under the foot-and-mouth controls.
Looking for Meatmaster Sheep for Sale? Request a Quote
If you are ready to buy Meatmaster sheep, request a quote with the number and type of sheep you need and your farm location. You can also compare the Dorper, or read our guide to livestock farming in South Africa. Not sure which breed suits your farm? Read our comparison of Dorper vs Meatmaster. For the full background on the breed, from its Damara roots to lamb growth and recent auction prices, read our guide to Meatmaster sheep in South Africa. You may also find our guides to sheep prices in South Africa, common sheep diseases, feeding sheep and sheep breeding useful.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.