Durazno hosts the 10th World Dohne Merino Congress and Tour

Dino Capelli | 04/19/2018

The World Congress of the Merino Dohne sheep race took place in Uruguay in April 2018. Durazno was one of the host departments (states) and received more than 30 foreign visitors plus Uruguayans who visited Dohne Merino Studs in the area.

From Uruguay and the world, Merino Dohne experts visit Durazno studs.

In extremely warm weather for the time of year, a group of 32 visitors, from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa , Argentina and Chile, visited Uruguayan Dohne Merino Sheep studs, accompanied by their Uruguayan hosts.
According to Gabriel Capurro (President of the Uruguayan Society of Merino Dohne Breeders)” these visitors from other countries wanted to know about the type of pastures and production systems that are found in Uruguay. The animals were very good and the delegates were very impressed. In Australia and South Africa there is limited processing of wool. The Engraw plant located in the area of Fray Marcos in the east of the department of Florida, caught their attention; the processing, markets and the factory were very interesting. It is the only place in South America that has the ability to process machine washable “Superwash” wool. In addition, the energy of the plant is wind, so it is a natural product, processed with clean energy.”
Since Monday, when they visited the Nambi Guazu stud, in Lavalleja (state), and the Engraw Woolen mill, the tour has not had any breaks.
The old buildings of Alberto Gallinal in the area of Cerro Colorado, where the experimental centre of the Uruguayan Lana (wool) Secretariat ( SUL) is located, was visited on Tuesday.
Wednesday was the turn of La Empastada (owned by the Fillat family) and La Pastoral (owned by the Cappurro family) both in Durazno, to receive delegates of the 10th World Merino Dohne Congress.

Thursday and Friday the conference took place at the epicentre in San Bernadina, at the Rural Society of Durazno with lectures by technicians and researchers from the National Institute of Agricultural Research ( INIA), Faculty of Agronomy and SUL, presenting work done with the Merino Dohne race in Uruguay.

Presentations continued on the current status of the breed, recent developments and perspectives in the participating countries. Speakers included Emilio H. Rivera (Rural Extension Agency of Rio Gallegos INTA) of Argentina, John Nadin ( President Australian Dohne Breeders Association), Koos Vosloo (President of the Society of Merino Dohne Breeders) of South Africa, and the host Gabriel Capurro.

Night and day in Durazno

At 6:30 p.m. yesterday, the delegation arrived at the Hotel Santa Cristina, located on Route 5. After a night in the city, today’s activity started early, at 07:30 hours, with the departure to Santa Bernardina. The international conferences were held at the headquarters of the Rural Society of Durazno mark the great attraction of the world tour.
The opening is guided by the presentation of the current status of the breed, recent developments and perspectives in the participating countries. There they will exhibit – for 30 minutes each – some of the visiting experts. This is the case of Emilio H. Rivera (Rural Extension Agency Rio Gallegos, INTA) of Argentina, John Nadin (president of the Merino Dohne Breeders Association Australia) of Australia, Koos Vosloo (president of the Society of Merino Dohne Breeders) of South Africa and the host Gabriel Capurro (president of the Merino Dohne Breeders Society).

At 11:30 am, the theme of Cameron McMaster (Former Director of the Society of Merino Dohne Breeders South Africa) was “The Ethics in the Breeding of Merino Dohne”.
Presentations of research work in Merino Dohne, conducted in Uruguay by the Faculty of Agronomy, INIA and SUL and technical contributions by Australia included.

Afternoon talks

Some of the titles of the conferences that will take place from 2:30 p.m. at the headquarters of the SRD are «Investigations in ovine genetic resources», by Raúl Ponzoni (Faculty of Agronomy, UDELAR, Uruguay); «Our first 15 years with Merino Dohne», by Ignacio De Barbieri (National Meat and Lana Program, INIA); «Main results of SUL work with the Merino Dohne breed», in the view of Ignacio Abella (Research & Development, SUL), and the closing with «The future of the Dohne in the Australian sheep industry», by Rachel Browne (vice-president of the Merino Dohne Breeders Association Australia).
International Friday

The international conferences of Friday 20, also in Santa Bernardina, cover «The demand for wool and sheep meat: a look at the demographic and economic determinants», in the analysis of Alfonso Capurro (CPA Ferrere); «Processing and markets of Merino Dohne wool», by Frank Raquet (director Engraw Export & Import), and a presentation by the World Federation of Merino Dohne Breeders, from the perspective of Kobus Delport (manager of the Society of Merino Breeders Dohne South Africa).
The closing of the conference is announced for 11:30 am. Later, there will be delivery of diplomas and recognitions and lunch.

The pinnacle of the conference was the auction of young ewes, some in lamb and others not. Approximately 100, 2 tooth sheep were put under the hammer.

Posted by El Acontecer Diario