Vale Johnathon Alexander Stephens (Stevo) Council would like to inform members of the passing of Johnathon Alexander Stephens, known as Stevo on 7 June 2024. Stevo stepped into the manager role on Calga’s Southern property Caroonboon Station, Wanganella NSW. This was not long after the passing of Bill Pye in 2015. Stevo continued to manage Caroonboon up until his retirement in late 2023. During his 9 years at Caroonboon he was instrumental in a large infrastructure improvement programme; covered ram selling complex, ram shed, covered processing area, irrigation upgrade and workshop upgrade just to name a few. Stevo was a great friend, an extremely competent livestock person, a land manager, educator, plant operator, mechanic, a fabricator and so much more. Stevo was the dearest of friends to the Pye family and mentor to many and will be missed by all that know him. Continue reading →

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, Ethical Outback Wool, Quality Wool, Central West Genetics, Fox & Lillie Rural and Australian Community Media. Continue reading →

Australian Sheep and Wool Show The Dohne Merino has been selected as the 2024 Feature Breed at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show. The Association’s Show Committee has been in regular contact with the Australian Sheep and Wool Show organisers, and we are delighted that our breed will be of prominence on this ‘big stage’ in July at Bendigo. Continue reading →

The annual face to face meeting of the ADBA Council was held at Naranderra in mid- February to coincide with the Coonong AMSEA Open Day. Firstly, I would like to thank Don Mills and his committee and Tom and Sophie Holt and the Coonong crew for making the trial and open day such a success. On Monday we spent most of the morning talking about the future of our Dohne Merino breed: looking at pathways for the future including a tiered breeding system, culling percentages, education, joint analysis with Sheep Genetics, Council structure, promotion and research. More information will come through as we receive information back from the relevant contacts. Continue reading →

Coonong sire trial open day 21st February was attended by approx. 50 people including 8 sire entrant owners. Adult ewe updates to fleece and body were presented as well as final figures on the wether drop, as well as visual scoring and classing results. Udder and teat traits were collected and presented by Allan Casey. Continue reading →

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 →