July Newsletter 2026

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Dohne Merino Marquee Report – Australian Sheep and Wool Show
The Australian Dohne Breeders’ Association was proud to once again host the Dohne Merino Marquee at the 2026 Australian Sheep & Wool Show in Bendigo, showcasing the strength of the Dohne Merino breed and the people who continue to drive the industry forward.
A highlight of this year’s program was our Education Program, held on Friday, where we welcomed students and teachers from Longerenong College and Moama Anglican Grammar. It was fantastic to see such enthusiastic participation from the next generation of the sheep industry. Students enjoyed a full day of hands-on learning, industry presentations and practical demonstrations, providing valuable insight into the many career opportunities available within the Australian sheep and wool sector. Thank you to both schools for making the trip and for your outstanding engagement throughout the day.

AWI Holly Byrne, AME Tegan Falkner, Longerenong College wool classing students, ADBA Classers Stephen Chamlers and Longerenong College teacher Craig Mackley.

Moama Anglican Grammar students with teachers Carolyn Smith and Jess Craig.

The Association extends its sincere appreciation to our judging panel for generously donating their time, expertise and professionalism throughout the show: Elders Agent Milton Holmes, ADBA Approved Classer Gary Simpson and Hillview Dohne Merino Stud Robert Holmes.

Gary Simpson, Milton Holmes and Robert Holmes.  

Your knowledge, commitment and dedication are greatly appreciated and contributed significantly to another successful competition. The Australian Dohne Breeders’ Association also gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our valued sponsors. Without your ongoing commitment, events such as the Dohne Merino Marquee would not be possible. Thank you to: Elders, Shearwell, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Riverina Wool Testers, Australian Merino Exports, Fox & Lillie Rural, Ellis Nuttall & Co, Ethical Outback Wool, Woven Optics, Heiniger Australia, AWI, MLA, ACM and Country Trucker Caps.
A special thank you also goes to Ethical Outback Wool for presenting another outstanding Fashion Parade, showcasing the versatility, sustainability and quality of Australian wool through a wonderful collection of wool garments.
Congratulations to all exhibitors for the outstanding quality of sheep displayed throughout the competition. The standard of exhibits continues to demonstrate the strength of the Dohne Merino breed across Australia.

Ethical Outback Wool Fashion Parade Models.

Congratulations to all stud and commercial breeders who entered Dohne fleeces in the Nutrien Ag Solutions Australian Fleece Competition. The quality of Dohne wool on display was exceptional and highlighted the breed’s continued excellence in wool production. Special congratulations to: Macquarie Dohne Stud – Champion Dohne Exhibit, Buxton Ag, Stratford, Victoria – Reserve Champion Dohne Exhibit (Commercial Breeder).

John Buxton with his Reserve Champion Dohne Exhibit.

Special congratulations to this year’s major award winners:
Macquarie Dohne Stud – Grand Champion Ewe, Supreme Dohne Exhibit and Most Successful Breeder Fleece and Sheep.
Kardinia Dohne Merino Stud – Grand Champion Ram.

Most Successful Breeder Macquarie Dohne Stud John Nadin, with sponsor and judges Fox & Lillie Rural Ron Creek and Alister Carr. 

Kardinia Dohne Stud, Don Mills with Grand Champion Dohne Ram. 

These achievements are a testament to the dedication, commitment and breeding excellence of both studs.
Finally, congratulations to the Australian Sheep & Wool Show Committee on delivering another highly successful event. The Australian Sheep & Wool Show continues to be one of the premier sheep events in the country, bringing together breeders, exhibitors, students, industry professionals and supporters to celebrate innovation, education and excellence within the Australian sheep industry.
The Australian Dohne Breeders’ Association thanks everyone who visited the Dohne Merino Marquee and looks forward to welcoming exhibitors, sponsors, members and visitors back again in 2027.

The Dohne Merino Calendar is out now! – Click Here 
Our new innovative calendar showcases the exceptional attributes of Dohne Merino sheep, including high
fertility, lean meat, and fine wool. Each month highlights the breed’s productivity and resilience. Thank you to all members and sponsors who have supported this publication. Copies will be available in July at the  Community Bank Gilgandra & Central West Bendigo Bank NSW Dohne Prime Lamb Schools Competition, Orange NSW. 

2026 Events 

Community Bank Gilgandra & Central West Bendigo Bank NSW Dohne Prime Lamb Schools Competition 
With less than a week to go, excitement is building for the Community Bank Gilgandra & Central West Bendigo Bank NSW Dohne Prime Lamb Schools Competition, to be held at the Orange Showground on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.
Around 260 students from 27 school teams across New South Wales are expected to take part in this unique hands-on educational event. Students will participate in practical workshops, hear from leading agricultural industry professionals, engage with sponsor trade displays, and gain valuable insights into sheep production, genetics, animal health, processing and careers within the Australian sheep and wool industry.
The Australian Dohne Breeders’ Association looks forward to welcoming students, teachers, volunteers, sponsors and exhibitors for what promises to be another outstanding day of learning and competition.
View the full event program –  Click Here
The Australian Dohne Breeders’ Association sincerely thanks our valued sponsors for their generous support: Community Bank Gilgandra & Central West Bendigo Bank, Currey Family – Bogewong Butcher Co, Gundagai Meat Processors, Woven Optics & Heiniger Australia, For Flocks Sake Veterinary Sheep Consultants, CB Rural Contracting, Bralca 2.0 Agricultural Consultants, Ben Simmons Scanning, Elders, Shearwell Australia, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Riverina Wool Testers, Daniel Camilleri / Hooked on Hounds, Inland Petroleum, Dawbuts Pty Ltd, Dubbo AGnVET & Darling Irrigation, Monster Signs, Country Trucker Caps, Furneys Stock Feeds, and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
Your continued support is making a lasting investment in the future of Australia’s sheep and wool industry by inspiring and educating the next generation of producers and industry leaders.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM of the ADBA will be held in Orange NSW at 6:30pm AEST. Tuesday 28th July. The day before the Community Bank Gilgandra & Central West Bendigo Bank NSW Dohne Prime Lamb Schools Competition that has involved 26 schools from all over NSW.
This is a great chance for all Dohne Merino Breeders to get together and plan for our future. It is a great timing because wool prices have finally caught up with the excellent lamb and mutton prices, which puts our Dohne Merino Breed at the forefront of prime lamb, self-replacing flocks with quality figures from Sheep Genetics ASBVs and AMSEA evaluations.
You will be receiving important information from the ADBA regarding changes to the Constitution and the new tiered breeding system very soon. Please consider these changes and if you can’t make it to Orange in person, please fill in the proxy forms, or even better, join the meeting via Zoom.
 If you have any questions, please get in touch with me on 0417 833 893 or greghall669@gmail.com. All your Councillors are always available too- John Nadin heads up the Tiered System Committee and Daniel Pumpa is leading the School Competition.
At the conclusion of the week Allan Casey will lead a Dohne Ram Breeders’ course on Thursday 30th July which will include the Tiered System alternatives.
I hope you can come and join in the culmination of this educational event. We plan a get-together for a meal on Wednesday night at 7pm, at La Milano Italian Restaurant. Please contact Tanya Barton 0429 2028 674 for further information re accommodation and other details. Looking forward to catching up in Orange!
Greg Hall, ADBA President 

Dohne Ram Breeders Course – 30 July 2026
A practical one day workshop will be held to bring stud and commercial breeders up to date in the latest subjective and objective selection practices.
To be held at Orange Showground NSW following the Schools’ Dohne Prime Lamb Competition. The course will also be ideally suited to teachers and students.
The practical steps in setting a breeding objective, recording and reporting all traits and using breeding values will be worked through by leaders in their fields. A major focus will be the process used to get the most out of the industry’s latest advances in selecting for Reproduction.
Ram and ewe hands-on exercises throughout the day will ensure a complete breeding system can be effectively undertaken.
The workshop will start at 8am and conclude at 3pm.
The course will be run by ADBA life member Allan Casey along with Dohne data manager Brett Wilson and will include a session by Peta Bradley, Operations Manager Sheep Genetics.
Expressions of interest in attending, including number of people, names, contact details, can be emailed to admin@dohne.com.au. For any questions contact John Nadin 0427 474 610.
For full program – Click Here

World Dohne Merino Conference, South Africa 
The Dohne Merino Society of SA is excited to host the World Dohne Merino Conference in 2026. This event will be in collaboration with the 60 year of existence of the Dohne Merino Society of South Africa.
The launched the official website for the conference is now up: https://conference.dohnemerino.com
Bookings can be made directly on the website and they will be posting more information as the time passes.
The Dohne Merino World Conference, to be held from 18 – 24 October 2026, at the Arabella Hotel, in Hermanus, South Africa. This prestigious event promises to bring together Dohne Merino breeders, industry experts, and enthusiasts from across the globe, fostering collaboration, innovation, and excellence in our shared passion.
The week after the conference (26 to 31 October 2026), we are planning a post-conference tour to the central and eastern parts of South Africa.