November Newsletter 2025

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States’ Year in Review NSW
Hello everyone, well another year has flown by, it seems the state’s seasonal conditions have not really changed from this time last year. Conditions in the south have improved slightly, (but it could be a long summer), the northeast again have had a well above average year with the west of the state very dry again.
The sheep and lamb market has skyrocketed this year with prices at an all-time high. Those that have been lucky enough to hold numbers have enjoyed the ride, let’s hope these prices stick around.
The 2025 Dohne ram selling period has had strong results with 476 rams offered, 454 sold to a 95% clearance. The top price this year of $8,000 was recorded for the Pye family from Calga, Coonamble. Macquarie topped at $5,500 and Gullendah was next at $5,000.
Macquarie topped the highest average of $2,960 plus 100% clearance. They were closely followed by Gullendah with an average of $2,940 and another full clearance. The States overall average of $2,236 was up $400 on 2024.
I hope that everyone has a great end of the year and that the season breaks over the summer period to set us all up for a great 2026. Best of luck to you all.
The Land – Dohne Sale Reports – Click Here
David Berrell, ADBA NSW President 

$8000 top price for New South Wales – Calga Dohnes

$2960 top average for New South Wales – Macquarie Dohne Stud.

States’ Year in Review Western Australia
WA had three studs conducting public auctions this year. 
This was down from four studs the previous year and resulted in offerings being down from 508 to 399 rams. The average clearance rate was up to 96% from 77% last year. The state average was $1805, up from $1221 in 2024. WA’s top public auction price was achieved by Far Valley ($7,900), where 98/99 rams offered sold to average $1942. Chirniminup Dohnes achieved the state’s top average price ($2028), and 
once again had the largest offering, selling 188 of the 192 rams presented on the day. Mollerin Rock increased their offering on the previous year, also achieving a higher average and higher top price ($1445 and $3100 respectively). 
David Kain conducted his final Dohne ram sale in 2025, having recently sold his stud to Mollerin Rock. I would like to congratulate and thank David for his many years of service to the Dohne breed. This small sentence does not do justice to the time, effort and passion David has contributed.
Tribute to David Kain – Click Here
All the best for the coming months.
Farm Weekly – Dohne Sale Reports – Click Here
Rachel Browne, Western Australia Representative

$7900 top price for Western Australia – Far Valley Dohne Stud

$2028 top average for Western Australia – Chirniminup Dohnes

While it’s the end of an era, stud’s breeding legacy is set to continue
Story courtesy of ACM (Kyah Peeti) Farm Weekly
It was the end of an era for Far Valley Dohne stud owner David Kain when he sold his beloved stud to Mollerin Rock Dohne stud owners, the Applegate family in early April. The Australian Dohne Breeders’ Association life member sold the stud after breeding Dohne rams for 26 years. After its establishment in 1999, the stud became known, not only for its reliable genetics, but as one of the first studs to purchase pregnancies from the first embryo transfer in Australia in 1999, and held the first Dohne ram sale in Australia in 2000. Click here to read full story

Former Far Valley Dohne stud principal and owner David Kain (left), with a ram he sold in the 2023 Far Valley ram sale to Mollerin Rock Dohne stud principal Mitchell Applegate, who purchased the Far Valley stud from Mr Kain in April. With the pair is Elders WA stud stock manager and Dohne classer and assessor, Nathan King, who negotiated the sale. Picture by Kyah Peeti.

2026 Events
NSW Dohne Prime Lamb Schools Competition
2026 will see the inaugural running of the ADBA’s first NSW Dohne Prime Lamb Schools Competition, with the competition concluding over 1-day at Orange NSW arriving on the 28 and completion on the 29 of July. 25 Schools from NSW will be taking part in this competition, picking up their lambs on the 25 February. They will be responsible for the husbandry of these animals till July, with the lambs then being shorn, measured and slaughtered. It is anticipated that approximately 250 students will be involved in the Orange event. There will be guest speakers and displays by sponsors.   
Studs will have the opportunity to participate at this event with displays available free of charge. And many hands help make light work for the running of the event. Any studs interested to displaying at this event are asked to contact the secretary secretary@dohne.com.au with an expression of interest, and further details will be forwarded in the new year. Anyone looking for more information contact NSW Dohne Prime Lamb Schools Competition Subcommittee Chair Daniel Pumpa 0428 665 016.

Annual General Meeting
The ADBA AGM for 2026 will be held also at this major Orange milestone. The AGM will be conducted after the NSW Dohne Prime Lamb Schools Competition on the 29 July and a Zoom link will be available also.

Ram Breeders Course
The ADBA will be conducting a 1-day Ram Breeders course on the 30 July 2026 to coincide with the conclusion of the new School’s Prime Lamb Competition at Orange NSW. This course can be attended by all stud and commercial members, and the day will be facilitated by Allan Casey.
Expressions of interest in attending the course can be sent to secretary@dohne.com.au and further information will be forwarded to all members early in the new year. Including guest speaker(s) and format for the day.

World Dohne Merino Conference, South Africa 
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.
The launched the official website for the conference is now up: https://conference.dohnemerino.com
Bookings can be made directly on the website and they will be posting more information as the time passes.
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.