Council has again this year, been working on behalf of all members to promote the Dohne breed, uphold breed standards and ensure that the Dohne breed and the Association has a positive future. In addition to Councils' ongoing standard operations of facilitating the ADBA, the appointment of Kate Brabin (AOK) to undertake a review of both the Councils operations and improvements that can be made within the breed, has been a positive step. Ms Brabin is in the process of providing a report from her independent review, and this will be thoroughly considered at the Council Face-to-Face meeting in February. 2022 saw a change in format of the annual Dohne Journal; with the Promotions Committee and Australian Community Media (ACM) collaborating to create a National Dohne Liftout that was released in July. The circulation was much greater than what we achieve by distributing to individual studs, and I would like to thank all members who contributed to this publication which was distributed via The Land, Stock & Land, QLD Country Life, Sock Journal and the Farm Weekly. The Sire Evaluation Trial at Coonong Station in NSW, had its first open day in June. This day included; guested speakers, trade displays, progeny displays, plus progeny reports provided by AMSEA. A great day was had by all. Reports on this trial can be found in the "Merino Superior Sires Number 28/2022" issue, with a very positive write up on the Coonong Dohne Trial. We look forward to a prosperous and fulfilling 2023, and wish all members and their families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Continue reading →

Council has again this year been working on behalf of members to promote the Dohne breed and encourage breeders to maintain a high level of integrity and accuracy with data recording and reporting. The majority of members are to be congratulated on timely and accurate data submission which benefits both individual studs and the breed as a whole. The Sire Evaluation Trial being held at Coonong Station in NSW is progressing well, with data being collected as per AMSEA guidelines. An open day is proposed for June 2022 and will be accessible to any interested party. Ram sales at public auction exceeded 2000 in 2021, which was the largest number of rams sold since 2017, and the average price was $1623. The ADBA is currently in a sound financial position and aims to appoint a Breed Development Officer in 2022, to enhance the exposure of the Dohne breed and assist Council with new marketing and operational ideas. Continue reading →

The heavens opened for much of drought-stricken NSW in early 2020 and continued through winter and spring. However, some areas of NSW, WA, VIC and SA received the break late and many areas of QLD and the North West division of NSW remain in drought conditions. Members are to be congratulated on their ram sale results off the back of prolonged drought, low wool prices and low national breeding ewe numbers. Continue reading →

Congratulations on the successful ram sales conducted across the country especially considering the drought much of Australia is and has experienced. Nationally rams sold at auction to a top of $13000 and an 82% average clearance rate. In some areas wool producing breeding ewes are down to 10-12% of the normal numbers. The drought has had a significant affect on the national breeding flock and if it continues the industry is in danger of losing markets from sheer lack of supply. Continue reading →

Dohne Breeders are to be congratulated on their sale results for 2018 amidst one of the worst droughts in history experienced across most of eastern and central Australia. Nationally, 2089 rams sold at auction for a 82% clearance and a $1542 average. The wool market after reaching record levels during 2018 has once again show it’s volatility in the last month dropping 240c (at the time if writing). Lamb continues to out value wool by approximately 5/1 and mutton 2.5/1. Continue reading →

Dohne Breeders are to be congratulated on their sale results for 2017 amidst a bullish wool market. Nationally, 2669 rams sold at auction for a 91% clearance and a $1603 average.Regardless of the current wool market, commercial Dohne Breeders realise the importance of the ‘whole’ economic package; their wool realises the same price as the traditional Merino, they mark and wean 20-30% more lambs and the ‘doing ability’ is second to none. Continue reading →