Apparel Wool, Meat for a Feast
Young guns’ stud sheep breeding success against tide of industry exodus
For Mitchell Applegate, moving to the city for education solidified his love of the farming lifestyle - and was when he realised there was no better place to be than in rural WA.
Now Mr Applegate and his family have a successful Dohne stud breeding enterprise that started with the purchase of one Dohne stud in 2019 and another in 2025.
"The Dohnes are a dual-purpose breed. They produce a AAAM fleece and have great meat traits, as well as high fertility. This is why I really like the breed." "The positive feedback from clients really drives what we do and drives me to continue focusing on the genetic side. We achieve this through DNA testing, eye muscle scanning, fleece weighing and wool testing, visual classing, multiple body weights and other trait measurement." Continue reading
Mid North classer remembered for lasting impact on Merino, Dohne flocks
Respected Clare-based sheep classer Phillip Venning was doing what he loved right up until the end of his life. After taking ill, he was disappointed to have to relinquish his role as a judge for the shearing competition at Jamestown Show, but even being in hospital did not stop him from entering fleeces. In a poignant moment for his family, he passed away on show day, October 5 - the same day one of his beloved ewes' fleeces was awarded the supreme champion fleece. Phil is being remembered for his considerable impact on many commercial Merino and Dohne flocks, not just in SA but also Vic and NSW, as well as being a recognised shearing judge.
Dohne lamb proving popular
THE Currey family has been breeding Dohne sheep for more than 12 years, with their lamb proving popular through their latest farm-to-plate venture, the Bogewong Butcher Co shop.
Frustrated by a lack of control over lamb prices and keen to add value to their mixed farming operation, Mark and Caitlin Currey purchased an existing butcher shop in Walgett in January 2024.
"The Dohne lambs have excellent growth rates and fat cover, and we're seeing a good amount of intramuscular fat coming through for improved eating quality, which is really pleasing.
Continue reading
Top lamb and wool at Coolah
THE Dohne breed's dual-purpose attributes are paying off for Amy Redmond, giving her family's sheep operation at Coolah a significant boost in productivity. "The biggest advantage is having two income streams, we get solid returns from both the wool and the lambs. "Their fertility and mothering ability is also excellent, this season our scanning results were 180 per cent." Continue reading
While it’s the end of an era, stud’s breeding legacy is set to continue
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. Continue reading
Balanced Dohne takes out the supreme ribbon, with right mix of meat and wool
Article courtesy of ACM (Andrew Miller) Stock & Land
Judge Stephen Chalmers awarded the Dohne blue ribbon to a ram belonging to Calga/Uardry, Coonamble, NSW. Video by Andrew Miller.
A Dohne with the right balance of meat and wool has… Continue reading
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram