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There have been many changes in the United States sheep industry over the years. Decreasing profitability of wool production has shifted the focus of many producers to strictly meat production. In South Texas, extreme high summer temperatures add an additional challenge in raising wool breeds of sheep. Hair sheep are gaining popularity in lamb-only production systems as they are more adapted to hot climates and eliminate shearing costs. The Dorper is the most popular breed of hair sheep throughout Texas due to superior lamb carcasses. Maximizing reproductive efficiency is critical for increasing the profitability of sheep production. Accelerated lambing systems can produce 3 lamb crops every two years versus 1 lamb crop per year. For this to be accomplished, ewes must be capable of breeding early post-partum and at all times of the years. We determined the reproductive characteristics of Dorper ewes. In the absence of a ram, Dorper ewes were anestrous from March until May. We observed considerable variation of ewes when both entering and ending anestrous. During the initial breeding season, 7-d CIDR® treated ewes, which conceived 1st service, had a significantly lower mean day of birthing (3.2 ± 2.1 d) compared to (10.1 ± 1.9 d) control ewes, resulting in a shorter lambing duration. During the seasonal anestrous period both CIDR® treated and control post-partum Dorper ewes were stimulated to ovulate while in the presence of the ram. However, during the time, 9-d CIDR® treatment significantly shortened both overall ram to lambing interval (152.8 ± 3.2d vs.165.7 ± 3.0 d) and first service ram to lambing interval (149.3 ± 1.3 d vs. 160.7 ± 1.5 d). Fall-born Dorper ewes with known birth dates had a mean age of puberty of 306.5 ± 4.9 d. Fall-born yearlings and spring-born ewe lambs were exposed to a ram during the first fall breeding season following their birth. While no difference was found in overall conception rate, fall-born yearlings had a significantly greater fir