While it’s the end of an era, stud’s breeding legacy is set to continue

Article courtesy of ACM (Kyah Peeti) Farm Weekly

Former Far Valley Dohne stud principal and owner David Kain (left), with a ram he sold in the 2023 Far Valley ram sale to Mollerin Rock Dohne stud principal Mitchell Applegate, who purchased the Far Valley stud from Mr Kain in April. With the pair is Elders WA stud stock manager and Dohne classer and assessor, Nathan King, who negotiated the sale. Picture by Kyah Peeti.

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.

In the years to come, Mr Kain and the Far Valley stud built a reputation based on its performance, family history, breeding objectives and a loyal client base.

Looking back on his time in the breeding game, Mr Kain highlighted selling a ram for $24,000 to Uruguay, which was the record top-price in Australia at the time in the 2002/2003 season, and when Far Valley became the first Dohne stud to win an Elders Clip of the Sale award in 2022.

“My main aim was to always sell the wether lambs straight off their mothers and up the loading ramp, which I believe I achieved to some degree,” Mr Kain said.

“Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to experience many successful ram sales and built lots of long-lasting friendships with clients.

“I’d do it all again if I could, it was hard work and sometimes I won and sometimes I lost, but I enjoyed every moment.

“I am sad to go out the way I am, due to ill health, but I am grateful to have sold the stud to the Applegate family, they are great people and great farmers.

“I hold them in the highest regard.”

Mr Kain spoke of his passion for the Dohne breed and its capabilities.

“I’m still very passionate about the breed and its future, I think Dohnes are even better suited now than they were when they were first introduced to Australia,” Mr Kain said.

“Yes they cut less than a heavy cutting Merino, but when it came to selling progeny and the mutton, you can bank on at least 5kg extra weight, more lambs, and a product a lot more market ready.

“The Dohnes are remarkable, they have the ability to achieve their genetic potential regardless of the season and have such longevity, as well as high fertility and fast growth rates.

“The way the ewes rear their lambs is also a credit to them.”

Mr Kain said his biggest joy during his years of breeding was how his commercial ewes performed.

“I had a large commercial ewe flock which in turn enabled me to see how my stud was performing,” he said.

“I had a measuring stick right in front of me.

“Having that commercial flock was the key for me.

“I only used ram lambs on my commercial ewes which meant I was constantly upgrading with my new genetics.”

Since selling the stud, Mr Kain has offloaded many of his commercial ewes to various clients, which he said was gratifying.

When the stud was put on the market, it was negotiated by Elders WA stud stock manager and Dohne classer and assessor Nathan King.

Included in the purchase of the entire stud was 400 stud ewes, 200 ewe lambs and eight stud sires, and Mollerin Rock Dohne stud principal Mitchell Applegate said he was rapt.

“We were chasing new genetics and getting to the point where we wanted to buy in a mob of ewes,” Mr Applegate said.

“When David put the Far Valley stud on the market, it was a great opportunity for us and really a no-brainer.”

“There aren’t as many Dohne studs around anymore, so we’re really excited to have the opportunity to take on the Far Valley stock.”

Mr Applegate said going forward, the family’s plan was to maintain the numbers Mr Kain was running.

“Hopefully we can maintain those ram numbers and continue on with what David was doing and go from there,” he said.

“We’ll run it as one stud but plan to keep the ewes separate, genetic-wise.

“The stud ewes will be lambing down on our property this year so we’re keen to incorporate the Far Valley rams into our sale team next year.”

Mr Kain will host his 25th and final sale on Friday, September 19, commencing at 1pm.

He said the sale represented the entirety of the 2024-drop rams and no prior selections have been made.

Buyers looking to secure genetics can attend the sale at 107 Howie Road, Arthur River, where they can also meet and chat to the Applegate family and Mr King.

“I’m hoping both new and returning Far Valley clients will support Mitch and the Applegate family in future at their Mollerin Rock Dohne stud sale next year,” Mr Kain said.

Mr King, who has a great relationship with both studs, agreed.

“The Applegate family jumped at the opportunity due to the new genetics, and we wanted to keep the diversity in the breed and this was a great way to do that for them,” Mr King said.

“It was great given the Applegate family already valued Far Valley genetics after purchasing a sire from David in 2023.

“It would be great to see the Far Valley clients follow the sheep and support the Applegate family in future.

“If people have any questions about either studs or the stock, they are more than welcome to contact me or chat to me at the final Far Valley sale this year.”