August Newsletter 2025

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Annual General Meeting Report
The year began well with the Face-to-face meeting held in Adelaide in March. All councillors were able to attend this year and we were able to achieve quite a lot. Peta Bradley from Sheep Genetics attended and her presentation helped us to finalize our long running discussions with them.
In particular the Combined Analysis through SG will begin in 2027. SG will be implementing 2 data runs: merino types and meat breeds. Various indexes will allow comparison of meat and wool traits at different ratios.
Also, to be introduced for the coming season, is an increase in the culling rate, to 50% for one gender, which will support market trends for culled sheep
The completion of the Coonong Dohne AMSEA Sire Evaluation was another highlight of the year. The results are available from AMSEA and make interesting reading, especially combined with the analysis in last year’s Dohne Journal. Thanks to the ADBA Committee and Tom and Sophie Holt and their Coonong team for the mammoth amount of work that they have put in to allow all members to benefit from the information that was gathered. In the future, the entering of these trials may be influenced more by the expense to entrants, compared to the value seen in the results. As a breed, we may need to decide whether the ADBA should subsidize entrants, if we believe the results warrant the expense.
The ADBA was represented at LambEx in Adelaide last year and also at the SA Sheep Expo. Along with these events the efforts of ram breeder’s in promoting our breed at many and varied local field-days and shows is a huge commitment and keeps the Dohne Merino front of mind as much as possible. This builds on the great publicity that we have gained by being the Feature breed last year at ASWS in Bendigo.
Coming up in 2026 will be the Dohne Merino prime lamb competition, through high schools in NSW. Driving this are Daniel Pumpa and John Nadin and their committee.
The future is at the cross-roads for our Dohne Merino breed and indeed for the wool, sheep and farming industry in general. We have the opportunity to concentrate on promotions, education and a continued presence at AMSEA sites. I believe that the best way forward is to rely on the input of the next generation whose expertise lies in social media and new technology. We need their guidance to make the most of the opportunities available to reach the sheep breeders of the future. It is great news that Mitchell Applegate, Daniel Pumpa and Sandy Pye have joined us on Council as well as Matt Mills continuing on Promo Committee. I have been appointed for another year as President and Don Mills as Vice President.
We wish David Kain from Far Valley all the best for his final sale in September and for the future.
As usual I have to thank the Promotions Committee; the publication of a calendar instead of journal this year has been an innovation to attempt to gain wider audience. The Show/Education Committee have also been very busy and I also thank them for their great work, and recommend other members to offer their expertise wherever possible.
Without the incredible input of all Councillors and Kaye and Tanya, none of the achievements of the ADBA would be possible. Thank-you all for your guidance and support throughout my tenure as President.
Greg Hall – ADBA President

2025 Australian Sheep and Wool Show Dohne Merino Marquee Senior Rams Class.

Dohne Sale Results – Sale reports and photos on behalf of the Stock Journal.

Babirra Dohne Ram Auction, Stansbury SA
25 rams sold to $2800 and averaged $1248.
Full Sale Report – Click Here

Babirra principals Craig and Lynda Farrow, Elders Minlaton agent Adam Pitt and Nutrien Minlaton agent Julian Burke with the top price Dohne ram. Picture by Paula Thompson

Hill View Dohne Ram Sale, Streaky Bay SA
60 rams sold to $5000 (twice) and averaged $1615.
Full Sale Report – Click Here

Pictured with the $5000 rams are Heather, Loxley and Mila Holmes, Kim Murray, Nutrien’s Mat Kerin, Elders’ Milton Holmes, Jake Murray, Robert Holmes, and Dion and Jasmine Trezona, Streaky Bay. Picture supplied

Ulooloo Dohne Ram Sale, Hallett SA
35 rams sold to $3400 and averaged $1291.
Full Sale Report – Click Here

Ulooloo stud principals Greg and Rob Hall, Hallett, Lot 6 buyer Bin Bin Station’s Phil and Anthea Clarke, Keilira, Nutrien’s Jed Puckridge, Kingston, SE, Cody Hounsell, Jamestown, and Elders Michael Foster, Burra. Picture by Kiara Stacey

Dohne Merino Ram Sales
Dohne ram sales continue across three states this month; Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. For more details on these sales see details below:

Monday 8 September – Mollerin Rock On Property Ram Sale, Cadoux WA – Click Here
Wednesday 10 September – Coonamble Production Sale, Coonamble NSW – Click Here
Friday 12 September – Chirniminup On Property Ram Sale, Nyabing WA – Click Here
Friday 12 September – Macquarie Preview Day, Ballimore NSW – Click Here
Thursday 18 September – Kardinia On Property Ram Sale, Corowa NSW – Click Here
Thursday 18 September – Glen Holme On Property Auction, Manoora SA – Click Here
Friday 19 September – Far Valley On Property Ram Sale, Arthur River WA – Click Here
Tuesday 23 September – Gullendah On Property Ram Sale, Baldry NSW – Click Here
Wednesday 24 September – Macquarie Production Sale, Ballimore NSW – Click Here

Oakey State High School
This month Oakey State High School’s Ag Team, Mrs Goudie and a small group of students headed to the Ekka with their sheep in tow to begin their 4-day EKKA campaign. Over the 4-days students camped at the show grounds where they prepared, showed and judged sheep. It was a very successful campaign with Mrs Goudie beyond excited and proud of her teams’ achievements.
Oakey High won the ‘Champion Dohne Ewe of the Ekka’ as a result their Ewe was brough back into the ring to win ‘Champion School Ewe of the Show’. Mrs Goudie is very impressed with her growth for age and her magnificent fleece. The enormity of this win was beyond expectation for the team.
Congratulations to Oakey State High School for your wonderful achievements at the Ekka. These results are a true testament to your dedication to the industry.

L-R Cooper James Nelson, Mrs Debbie Goudie and Ryan Densley.

The Dohne Merino Calendar is out now! – Click Here
Thank you to all members who have supported this publication

World Dohne Merino Conference, South Africa – Update
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.