The year seems to have flown by quickly, and considering all the things coming up for the Dohne Merino breed, the next probably will too! In September Liz and I had the privilege of visiting all studs in Western Australia. Thank you to everyone for your hospitality and for sharing your breeding philosophies, concerns and views regarding the Dohne Merino breed. It was great to put faces to names and we hope these relationships grow in the future. In 2024 we intend to travel to the Eastern States and meet as many as possible there too. Sales for the year have been variable; quality rams have been well supported, but the lack of station orders have made clearance difficult. From what I’ve gathered the shedding breeds have become very popular due to a combination of lack of shearers, cost of shearing, and lower wool prices. This has certainly hurt our breed and other Merinos, but I feel confident that with rising wool and lamb prices (especially for un-mulesed), our breed can re-gain market share. Continue reading →

This is a gentle reminder to get your expressions of interest in for competing at the 2024 Australian Sheep and Wool Show. This is a massive opportunity for our association and one we intend to embrace and take major advantage of and we hope as many members as possible will be able to participate in some form over the course of the weekend. We would like to encourage as many studs as possible to consider participating in this event in some form or another (exhibiting, competing, attendance); and let's make this the best Feature Breed showing the event has seen! Continue reading →

Council would like to inform members of the passing of Martin Pattie, Glencairn Dohne Stud, Marlborough New Zealand. Martin Pattie aged 63, passed away at Omaka Aerodrome in Blenheim on Saturday, October 21 after the gyrocopter he was piloting crashed. Martin was the sole occupant of the aircraft. As it was Martin’s passion to grow good wool and in doing so, Lyn and Martin were able to produce their own woollen garments. These garments will be a lasting memory of Martin. Below is Martin wearing one of these garments. Continue reading →

September was a big month for Dohne ram sales, with rams being sold across three states New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia. See below sale results from the September sales. Continue reading →

With joining and preg scanning completed, lamb marking was next on this year's agenda for the Coonong trial. On a good clear winter day, the 9th August was lamb marking day at Coonong. The day included regular lamb marking procedures with trial addons of EID tagging, DNA sample collection, breech and body wrinkle scoring, bare breech scoring and dark fibre inspection and detail. A total of 401 lambs were marked for the day, with the next operations being ewe classing and shearing as well as lamb weaning and weight measurements planned for September. Continue reading →

What a busy time we had at Bendigo!! And what an exciting year is ahead! It was great to see a good crowd coming through the Dohne Marquee and to welcome our visitors from Merino Dohne Uruguay, to our displays and competitions. Huge congratulations to Darren and his Show Committee for a well-run event. Judging occurred on all three days, plus Saturday we held the AGM in the evening, followed by the General Meeting. Kate Brabin gave an overview of the ADBA Strategic Plan and John Buxton talked predominantly about WEC. Sunday for the first time Dohne Merinos were represented in the Inter-breed Competition as a prelude to being the Feature Breed at ASWS in 2024. Continue reading →