Given the current desperate agricultural and economic situation in South Africa, 2619 Dohne Merino rams were still sold, at a new record average price of R12 054. The average price, without taking the National Sale into account (R11 470), is only R321 (2.7 percent) lower than the record, recorded in 2018. However, the number of rams sold shows a 6.8 percent decline compared to 2018. Clearly, the ongoing drought, especially during the spring sales’ season, is now beginning to adversely affect sales. The temporary closure of the wool market, the fall in wool prices thereafter and instability in the sheep market, have largely contributed to this decline. However, the top prices on production auctions (on average R40,000), continued to rise compared to the average of R35 232 for 2018. It is therefore certain that the underlying confidence in the Dohne Merino industry continues. The stud industry persists in providing the best possible genetic material to the wool sheep industry. Purposeful selection to improve productivity under commercial conditions remains the breed’s outstanding feature. Commercial producers are well versed in the Dohne Merino system and currently purchase fewer rams. The influence of these rams is then spread as quickly as possible in their flocks. The use of insemination, laparoscopy and even embryo transfer is currently playing an increasingly important role in this regard. In this way, the interaction between Dohne Merino stud breeders and their clients is driving the wool sheep industry to great heights
Gegewe die huidige haglike landbou en ekonomiese situasie in Suid Afrika, is steeds 2619 Dohne Merino ramme, teen ‘n nuwe rekord gemiddelde prys van R12 054, verkoop. Die gemiddelde prys, sonder in agneming van die Nasionale veiling (R11 470), is slegs R321 (2.7 persent) laer as die rekord aangeteken in 2018. Die getal ramme verkoop toon egter ‘n daling van 6.8 persent in vergelyking met 2018. Duidelik het die voortslepende droogte, veral gedurende die lente verkoop seisoen, nou ramverkope nadelig begin beinvloed. Die tydelike sluiting van die wolmark, die daling in wolprys daarna en onstabiliteit in die mark vir skaap, het grootliks bygedra tot hierdie daling. Die toppryse op produksie veilings (gemiddeld R40,000), het egter bly styg in vergelyking met die gemiddelde van R35 232 vir 2018. Dit is dus ongetwyfeld seker dat die onderliggende vertroue in die Dohne Merino bedryf voortduur. Die stoetbedryf volhard om die beste moontlike genetiese materiaal aan die wolskaapbedryf te voorsien. Doelgerigte seleksie om produktiwiteit onder kommersiële toestande te verbeter, bly die ras se uitnemende kenmerk. Kommersiële produsente is goed vertroud met die Dohne Merino stelsel en koop tans minder ramme aan. Die invloed van hierdie ramme word dan so vinnig moontlik deur hulle kuddes versprei. Die gebruik van inseminasie, laparoskopie en selfs embrio-oorplasing speel tans ‘n toenemend belangrike rol in hierdie verband. Sodoende is die interaksie tussen Dohne Merino stoetboere en hulle kliënte, besig om die wolskaapbedryf tot groot hoogtes te voer!