May Newsletter 2026

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Dohne Genetics Dominate Australia’s Longest Running Merino Wether Trial
Dohne Merino genetics achieved a historic milestone at the recent Walgett Show Merino Wether Trial, securing both first and second place overall against a highly competitive field.
As Australia’s longest running wether trial, the event drew 16 teams from across the region. Midgery Dohne Merino Stud from Walgett, NSW, claimed the prestigious overall championship. Broadening the breed’s success, the Currey family Dohnes from Walgett, secured second-place.
This historic double victory powerfully demonstrates the exceptional dual-purpose commercial value that Dohne genetics bring to the modern sheep industry. The association extends its congratulations to both the Midgery Dohne Merino Stud and the Currey family on this landmark achievement.

Dohne Ram Breeders Course – 30 July 2026
A practical one day workshop will be held to bring stud and commercial breeders up to date in the latest subjective and objective selection practices.
To be held at Orange Showground NSW following the Schools’ Dohne Prime Lamb Competition. The course will also be ideally suited to teachers and students.
The practical steps in setting a breeding objective, recording and reporting all traits and using breeding values will be worked through by leaders in their fields. A major focus will be the process used to get the most out of the industry’s latest advances in selecting for Reproduction.
Ram and ewe hands-on exercises throughout the day will ensure a complete breeding system can be effectively undertaken.
The workshop will start at 8am and conclude at 3pm.
The course will be run by ADBA life member Allan Casey along with Dohne data manager Brett Wilson and will include a session by Peta Bradley, Operations Manager Sheep Genetics.
Expressions of interest in attending, including number of people, names, contact details, can be emailed to admin@dohne.com.au. For any questions contact John Nadin 0427 474 610.
For full program – Click Here

MLA/Sheep Genetics Update
As you are aware MLA/Sheep Genetics have changed to a new account management and payment portal.
This means you will no longer receive emailed invoices. This includes your annual subscription fee plus all new animals’ data. The fee must be paid before data is run in the analysis. ‘PAY BEFORE YOU SUBMIT SYSTEM’. To be paid by credit card online.
Your annual subscription fee is mostly likely due now; to check, you will need to setup your online portal.
To setup your online portal go to; https://www.sheepgenetics.org.au/resources/how-to-company-and-flock-registration

2026 Events 

Australian Sheep and Wool Show – Dohne Merino Marquee 
Our own large marquee at the ASWS allows for a more personalized and focused promotional space for members and sponsors. Our annual education program is growing in numbers every year. We expect to see around 41 students at this event, 21 students from Longerenong College and 20 students from Moama Anglican Grammar. This program is designed to educated our younger generation, with hands on experience, allowing students to be guided by sheep and wool specialists on the day.
We would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors for their incredible support this year! Please get behind the businesses that are supporting the Dohne Merino breed. They are; Elders, Shearwell, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Riverina Wool Testers, Australian Merino Exports, Fox & Lillie Rural, Ellis Nuttall & Co, Ethical Outback Wool, Woven Optics, Heiniger Australia, AWI, MLA, ACM and Country Trucker Caps.
Saturday, Showing Program – Classes will include individual young and older rams and ewes, groups, pairs and also natural bare breech classes. During the classing there will Tech Talks, along with a lunchtime Ethical Outback Wool Dohne garments fashion parade.
We are delighted to inform you that our judges this year will be; Milton Holmes, Elders South Australia, Gary Simpson, ADBA classer and Associate Judge Robert Holmes, Hillview Dohne Merino Stud, South Australia. Our Dohne Merino exhibitors this year are;
NSW: Calga, DD, Kardinia, Macquarie and Uardry
Victoria: Gunyado
Entries are now officially open for the 2026 Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo, Victoria. Exhibitors can now submit online entries for both the Australian Fleece Competition and the Dohne Merino Sheep Competition.
Presented in partnership with Nutrien Ag Solutions, the Australian Sheep Breeders Association, and the Australian Wool Testing Authority, this prestigious event continues to showcase excellence in the Australian sheep and wool industry.
Online entries can be submitted via the official portal:
https://entries.sheepshow.com/Account/ExhibitorLogin
Dohne Merino Marquee Fleece Competition classes include:
• Group 3 Dohne Fleeces – 9–12 months
• Group 3 Dohne Fleeces – 6–8 months
From each Group 3 Dohne Fleece class, a Single Dohne Fleece will be selected for individual judging.
The Dohne Merino Marquee Fleece Competition is open to both stud and commercial members. Exhibitors wishing to enter should review the available classes and email their selected class list to admin@dohne.com.au.
Closing Dates:
• Fleece Competition Entries Close – 5 June 2026
• Sheep Competition Entries Close – 13 June 2026
Ensure your competition sheep are entered in the Sheep Genetics database by the 19 June 2026 analysis.
This event will run from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July 2026 at Bendigo VIC. 
For full events program – Click Here

NSW Dohne Prime Lamb Schools Competition
The Inaugural NSW Dohne Prime Lamb Schools Competition is moving along really well. On Wednesday the 25 February we had 26 schools receive their 5 Dohne wether lambs to kick start the competition. 
Gundagai Meat Processors will now do two separate small kills for these lambs. Students will select two wether lambs the week of the 6 to 10 July to be transported to Gundagai Meat Processors on the 13 July for slaughter and carcass data in readiness for competition day. The remainder of the lambs (3) will come to Orange to have all other selective and objective data taken, then these lambs will go back to a selected farm to be held for 3-4 weeks before going to Gundagai Meat Processors for processing. 
We would like to thanks the Currey Family, Walgett NSW once again for supplying the Dohne wether lambs, it is greatly appreciated. It is anticipated that approximately 260 students will be involved in the Orange event. There will be guest speakers, sponsors trade displays and stud displays. We would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors for their incredible support this year! Please get behind the businesses that are supporting the Dohne Merino breed. They are; Currey Family – Bogewong Butcher Co, Gundagai Meat Processors, Woven Optics/Heiniger Australia, For Flocks Sake Veterinary Sheep Consultants, Gallagher, CB Rural Contracting, Bralca 2.0 Agricultural Consultants, Ben Simmons Scanning, Elders, Shearwell Australia, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Riverina Wool Testers, Daniel Camilleri/Hooked on Hounds, Inland Petroleum, Dawbuts Pty Ltd,  Dubbo AGnVET & Darling Irrigation, Monster Signs, Country Trucker Caps,  MLA and AWI.

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.

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 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.