September Newsletter 2024

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Annual General Meeting Report
President’s Report for AGM and beyond.
The ADBA AGM was held on Friday 19th July at the Bendigo Australian Sheep and Wool Show (ASWS) as part of the Dohne Merino Feature Breed celebrations.
Rachel Browne was awarded Life Membership in recognition of her many years of service, leading to serving as Vice-President to John Nadin then President. John Nadin gave a run-down of her many achievements in all areas of the Association and presented the award. We look forward to her continued input.
The two main focuses of the year have been the Sire Evaluation at Coonong and the Bendigo ASWS. These projects would not have been successful without the many hours of voluntary work by the organisers and committee.
Special thanks to Don Mills and his committee, along with Tom and Sophie Holt and their staff at Coonong without whom the AMSEA Evaluation would not have been possible.
Likewise, Darren Gurnett and his committee (John Nadin, Don Mills and Murray Rogerson) worked hard to make the Bendigo ASWS an event to be proud of for the ADBA.
The Promotions committee were also very busy in the lead up to both these events and in the production of our high quality ADBA Journal, which has many great articles. Our presence on-line and on social media has been boosted this year under the leader-ship of Tanya Barton in conjunction with Karen Mills, Lynda Farrow, John Nadin, Liz Hall and the welcome addition of wolf-pack member Matt Mills.
During the year several studs have left the ADBA for various reasons; all have been complimentary to the ADBA. Their contribution to the progress of the breed over many years has been very welcome and their valuable genetics are not lost to the breed. We wish them all the best for their future as they have to the ADBA. Despite now having fewer studs, the overall number of registrations has not dropped dramatically, and with good lamb prices the Dohne Merino has a big part to play in the sheep and wool industry.
It was great to meet Mitchell Applegate and his parents Anthony and Vicki, from the Mollerin Rock Dohne Stud in Western Australia at the Bendigo ASWS and to welcome new exhibitors, Alex and Georgia Mattschoss and family from Clover Downs Dohne Merino Stud in South Australia. Their enthusiasm for the breed is great to see.
Thanks to Kaye for organizing a very successful dinner at the Shamrock Hotel in Bendigo, which allowed everyone to get together socially away from the pressure of the show.
Now with the ASWS finished for this year and the AMSEA Evaluation being wrapped up, we as an association have some major decisions to make in the near future. At our August meeting the ADBA Council set up some subcommittees to research and report back to Council and members. Please consider joining a committee if you are asked you can provide valuable input into the future direction of your breed.
I have been appointed for another year as President and thank Don Mills for taking on the Vice President’s role.
Well done to those who have had solid sales so far and I hope clearance rates continue for the rest of the year.
Greg Hall – ADBA President

Rachel Browne awarded Life Membership, presented by John Nadin and Greg Hall.

Rachel Browne awarded Life Membership, presented by John Nadin and Greg Hall.

AMSEA Coonong Sire Evaluation Update
Monday 12th August was wean weight day for the 2024 drop from the Coonong Sire Evaluation trial ewes. The May drop lambs presented in good condition, with the 360 lambs averaging 23.2kg bodyweight. They were weighed by Tom Holt, Jim Meckiff and Don Mills.
Next day, Tuesday 13th, the ewes were udder scored by Allan Casey and Lucinda Eddy.
The ewes were also Mid side sampled by John Nadin and Don Mills.
A couple of favourable rain events saw good autumn pasture growth, and despite being in lactation the ewes improved in condition score from lamb marking to lamb wean weighing.
Wednesday 14th was the final day for this section data collection with a combined effort from Allan Casey, Lucinda Eddy, Jim Meckiff, Jason Southwell and Don Mills for the ewe classing, and despite a very comprehensive and detailed amount of data collected, the job was finished and everyone was able to get away before dark.
A very big thank you to Tom Holt and the Coonong staff for all of their assistance during the three days of trial work. It was a very busy few days’ work, made easier by their help.
The final day for the trial will be September 6th, when the ewes will be shorn to gather fleece weights followed by off shears body trait scoring.
Don Mills – Convenor, ADBA Coonong Sire Evaluation

Sire Evaluation 2021 drop ewes.

Classing Sire Evaluation 2021 drop ewes.

Sire Evaluation 2024 drop lambs.

Dohne Ram Sales
Dohne ram sales continue across four states this month; Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. For more details on these sales see details below:

Wednesday 11 September – Calga Production Sale, Coonamble NSW – Click Here
Friday 13 September – Macquarie Preview Day, Ballimore NSW – Click Here
Friday 13 September – Far Valley On Property Ram Sale, Arthur River WA – Click Here
Wednesday 18 September – Mt Alma Dohne Ram Sale, Coonalpyn SA – Click Here
Thursday 19 September – Kardinia On Property Ram Sale, Corowa NSW – Click Here
Thursday 19 September – Glen Holme On Property Auction, Manoora SA – Click Here
Tuesday 24 September – Gullendah On Property Ram Sale, Baldry NSW – Click Here
Wednesday 25 September – Macquarie Production Sale, Ballimore NSW – Click Here
Thursday 26 September – Noorla Ram Sale, Williams WA – Click Here
Thursday 3 October – Southern Production Ram Sale, Wanganella NSW – Click Here
Tuesday 8 October – Gunyado Helmsman Ram Sale, Kerang VIC – Click Here

Dohne Sale Results
Sale reports and photos on behalf of the Stock Journal.

Babirra Dohne Ram Auction, Stansbury SA
37 rams sold to $1800 and averaged $1024.
Full Sale Report – Click Here

Lynda Farrow, Babirra, Adam Pitt, Elders Minlaton, Julian Burke, Nutrien, and Craig Farrow, Babirra, and the top-price Dohne ram, sold for $1800 to a new buyer from Forbes, NSW. Picture by Luke Bowden.

Hill View Dohne Ram Sale, Streaky Bay SA
62 rams sold to $3500 (twice) and averaged $1400.
Full Sale Report – Click Here

Buyers Chris and Joey Williams, Mat Kerin, Nutrien West Coast Ag, Milton Holmes, Elders Streaky Bay, stud principal Heather Holmes, Mila Holmes (front), Kym Murray and Robert Holmes. Picture supplied

Clover Downs Dohne Ram Sale, Barabba SA
30 rams sold to $3000 and averaged $1200.
Full Sale Report – Click Here

Nutrien Gawler’s Peter Marschall, Georgia Mattschoss with Cash, Charlie, Willow and Maggie, with Alex Mattschoss holding the ram and buyer AWN’s Jared Phillips, Crystal Brook. Picture by Vanessa Binks.

Ulooloo Dohne Ram Sale, Hallett SA
57 rams sold to $3200 and averaged $1375.
Full Sale Report – Click Here

The $3200 top price ram held by Elders Burra Michael Foster, with Ulooloo stud principal Rob Hall, top bidders Phil and Anthea Clarke from Bin Bin Station, Nutrien stock agent Jed Puckridge and Cody Hounsell. Picture by Chelsea Ashmeade