June Newsletter 2025

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Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the ADBA will be conducted Friday, July 18 in Bendigo to coincide with the Australian Sheep and Wool Show. Members are invited and encouraged to attend. This year the AGM will held in the Dohne Merino Marquee commencing at 4:30pm.

Australian Sheep and Wool Show
The Show and Education Committee would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank our sponsors that have come onboard this year; Elders, Shearwell, Sapien Technology, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Riverina Wool Testers, Quality Wool, Australian Merino Exports, Australian Community Media, Fox & Lillie Rural, Ethical Outback Wool and the Hotel Shamrock.
The Dohne Merino Marquee program this year will comprise of the following;
Friday, Education Program – Longerenong College will be taking part in this program. This program is designed to educated our younger generation, with hands on experience, allowing students to be guided by sheep and wool agents on the day.
Saturday, Showing Program – Classes will include individual young and older rams and ewes, groups, pairs and also Natural Bare Breech classes. Also, at lunchtime Ethical Outback Wool will showcase their Dohne Merino garments with a Fashion Parade.

To view the full event program – Click Here
We are delighted to inform you that our judges this year will be; Nutrien Ag Solutions Agent and ADBA Approved Classer Stephen Chalmers, Glenaroua Dohne Stud Alistair Greenshields and former Victorian ADBA President Murray Rogerson.
Our Dohne Merino exhibitors this year are;
NSW: Calga, DD, Kardinia, Macquarie, Spring Valley and Uardry
South Australia: Ulooloo
Victoria: Gunyado
Due to the packed showing program on the Saturday, the ADBA will be providing lunch on the day in the marquee for exhibitors, judges, stewards, members, sponsors and helpers.
An informal dinner for members and sponsors will be held on the Saturday night 19 July at the Hotel Shamrock. If you plan on attending this event, please RSVP to secretary@dohne.com.au.
This year the Dohne Merino Marquee has moved, you will now find us here, see map below.

The Dohne Merino Calendar is out now! – Click Here
Thank you to all members who have supported this publication. Extra copies will be available at Australian Sheep and Wool Show.

Australian Sheep and Wool Show Preview is out now! – Click Here

Move to Dohne pays off – Quality carcase traits lift returns
The dual-purpose traits of the Dohne breed have significantly boosted the productivity of the Argent-Smith family’s sheep flock in New South Wales, improving fertility as well as the early growth and carcase quality of their lambs.
CARCASE BONUS – “We sent 214 of our second line of lambs to Gundagai Meat Processors in February 2025, and they averaged a dressed weight of 29.84kg and returned $243 per head.
“What we were very pleased with was that 71 per cent of the draft received the Gundagai Lamb Quality 5+ score bonus which is worth 80 cents/kg, equating to a price of $8.36c/kg.
“We also received $8.50/hd for the skins, bringing the total return to $251/hd.”
The Dohne lambs had also been shorn with the return from their wool averaging $25/hd.
“For us the results have confirmed that we’re producing the right type of Dohne lamb that fits the bill for the Gundagai Lamb brand.
HITTING THE SPECS – According to Gundagai Meat Processors supply chain manager Dr Michelle Henry, Dohne and Dohne-cross lambs have been performing well through the Gundagai Lamb grid.
“We process a reasonable number of Dohne and Dohne-cross lambs through the Gundagai Lamb brand each year,” Dr Henry said.
“The Dohne lambs that are performing well have higher average intramuscular fat that ensures they are receiving a higher GLQ score, combined with a lean meat yield that hits the middle of the grid.”
Dr Henry said the lambs achieving a higher GLQ5+ percentage also tend to have a higher average hot standard carcase weight, ranging between 26-28kg.
“This emphasises the importance of Dohne and Dohne-cross lambs coming to us well-finished with good levels of subcutaneous fat cover.”
Article courtesy of ACM (Kylie Nicholls) Stock & Land
Read full story – Click Here

Sally and Richard Argent-Smith, Yaccabri Pastoral Company, Rankin Springs, NSW, made the change to a pure Dohne flock about five years ago and continue to be pleased with their performance. Pictures supplied

World Dohne Merino Conference, South Africa – UPDATED DATE
The Dohne Merino Society of SA is excited to host the World Dohne Merino Conference in 2026. This event will be in collaboration with the 60^th year of existence of the Dohne Merino Society of South Africa.
NEW EVENT DATE:
The Dohne Merino World Conference, to be held from 18 – 24 October 2026, at the Arabella Hotel, in Hermanus, South Africa. This prestigious event promises to bring together Dohne Merino breeders, industry experts, and enthusiasts from across the globe, fostering collaboration, innovation, and excellence in our shared passion.
The week after the conference (26 to 31 October 2026), we are planning a post-conference tour to the central and eastern parts of South Africa.
If you would be interested in attending this great event, please let us know at admin@dohne.com.au.