PRODUCTION flexibility and continued good prices in the prime lamb market is what spurred northern NSW producer Chris Carrigan, “Welbon”, Garah, to introduce Dohnes. Chris, with his wife Helen, runs a Dohne flock of as many as 3500 breeding ewes. Continue reading →

Dohnes are proving the profitable key in two vertically integrated lamb enterprises in the southern Riverina. Integrated agri-food company Rivalea Australia operates a 7000 head lamb feedlot on their 4000ha Balpool Station at Moulamein. Continue reading →

A global Dohne evaluation system with common linkages will enhance the export of Australian genetics around the world. Sheep Genetics manager Hamish Chandler said there was more scope for global collaboration in the Dohne gene pool. Continue reading →

The self-replacing Dohne breed is set to play a major role in stabilising and improving the nation’s rapidly declining breeding ewe base. Sheep industry consultant and Lamb Forecasting Advisory Committee member, Geoff Duddy, said the Dohnes improved weaning percentages were a major profit driver within the industry. “We are down to 41 million breeding ewes nationally and are really at the crossroads,’’ Mr Duddy said. Continue reading →

Dohne rams sold to a top of $20,000 under the hammer and by private treaty during the inaugural Global Dohne Conference last week. The multi-vendor National Ram Sale was held as part of a gala function at Dubbo, NSW, on Friday, and drew 13 vendors offering 39 lots. A total of 23 rams sold for a gross of $110,750 and average of $4815. Continue reading →

Dohne breed pioneer Cameron McMaster was honoured with a life membership of the Australian Dohne Breeders Association during the inaugural Global Dohne Conference. Mr McMaster and his wife Rhoda received a standing ovation after being presented with a commemorative plaque by Australian Dohne Breeders Association past president David Kain at a celebratory function in Dubbo on Friday. Affectionately known as the “father of the breed’’, Mr McMaster, 79, is one of only three surviving foundation members of the South African Dohne Merino Society formed in 1966. Continue reading →

Future challenges for the Dohne breed lay with combining Dohne and Merino breeding values, increasing the use of genomics and widening the use of non-Dohne genetics. They were key messages heard by national and international delegates at the inaugural Global Dohne Conference hosted by the Australia Dohne Breeders Association. Held at Dubbo on July 21-22, the conference drew 44 international delegates from South Africa, Uruguay, United States and New Zealand, and 139 from five Australian states. Continue reading →

A fleece from an October shorn flock ewe has won the overall champion Dohne fleece at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show fleece competition. The fleece came from first time entrants, Caroonboon Station, Wanganella, NSW, owned by the Pye family, and was sashed as the champion Dohne stud ewe or wether fleece. Continue reading →

Dohne sheep returned to the show ring after a 40-year global absence to unveil a unique judging system combining objective data and subjective assessment at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show. Held on July 16-17 at Bendigo, the judging drew 60 rams from four states and featured a weighted index for carcass and wool traits, combined with visual assessment. Continue reading →

Niche markets for non-mulesed and ethically produced wool have been achieved by a Riverina family after a switch to the Dohne breed.

Tom and Sophie Holt run a sheep, cattle and irrigated cropping enterprise at Urana and Jerilderie and have… Continue reading →