Posted on

Australian Dohne Merino Breeder – Murray Rogerson visits South Africa

Murray Rogerson is a prominent Dohne Merino Breeder in the state of Victoria, Australia.  Murray’s Stirling Dohne Merino stud is situated in the South Western part of Victoria at Glenthompson.   Murray describes the area as a “soft damp area” with an average yearly rainfall of 540mm.   Sheep have to handle “long wet grass” for approximately …………

Read More

Posted on

Sales 2017 – White Wools, Molteno

Andries and Dries Pienaar held their annual Production sale on the 25th of January 2017 on their farm in the Molteno district. The sale was marked by the display and viewing of their excellent top rams to be offered for sale on the 15th of February at the National Dohne Merino sale in Bloemfontein. The 63 rams of excellent quality on offer, were all sold at the high average price of ……….

Read More

Posted on

Sales 2017 – FEM Dohnes, Burgersdorp

This well established Dohne Merino stud kept on functioning under the worst possible drought conditions, thinkable, for at least the last three years.   Despite this appalling farming conditions,  Frans and Andries Marx hosted an extremely successful production sale on the 22nd of February 2017.  A total of 85 rams were sold at an average price of R9894.  The highest priced ram ………..

Read More

Posted on

Sales 2017 – Crux Dohnes, Edenburg

Crux Dohnes held their very successful sale on the 9th of February 2017 on the farm De Put of Dohne president,  Mr. Koos Vosloo.  This extremely large sale offered and sold 3259 ewes and 111 rams, rendering it the second largest Dohne Merino sale in South Africa.   The overall average price for stud and commercial ewes ……….

Read More

Posted on

Sales 2017 – Vlakkloof Dohnes, Protem

Daniel Giliomee, our Dohne merino breeder with top marketing skills held the annual production sale of his Vlakkloof Dohne Merino Stud on the evening of 24 January 2017. Daniel’s evening schedule included entertainment of the ladies present, by Wessel of Koekedoor fame! Needless to say that this form of marketing paid off very handsomely and the 48 rams on offer were sold at an ………..

Read More

Posted on

Sales 2017 – Lowmar Production Sale

Pillipie and Japie Marais together with Hugh Collett held the second production sale of 2017 on the farm Vervulling in the Cradock district on the 24th of January. Demand was above all expectations and the 64 rams on offer were sold at an average price of R10,016. Stud ewes cast for age were sold at R1,800 each. The highest priced ram at …………

Read More

Posted on

Dohne news – January 2017

The Dohne Merino Breed Society congratulates Cameron McMaster on his 80th birthday. Cameron’s birthday was on the 25th of January but the celebration took place on the 22nd of January 2017 at his home in Napier. The celebration was in the format of a dinner for all his loyal friends. Cameron is still very active […]

Read More

Posted on

Sales 2017 – Potberg Production Sale

The 2017 Dohne Merino Autumn sales season kicked off with the extremely successful sale of Mr. JF (Vlooi) Du Toit’s Potberg Dohne Merino Stud, Bredasdorp. Mr. Du Toit sold 81 top rams for the average price of R9728. This average price is R578 higher than the price recorded in 2016 for the same sale. Mr. Du Toit’s rams were in demand for especially ………………………

Read More

Posted on

Council Report – 2015

South African agriculture was subject to not only economic instability but also the onslaught of a terrible drought during, particularly the latter half of 2015 in the summer rainfall areas.  Numbers of small towns experienced demoralizing water shortages and depended on underground water supplied by farmers.   The fortunes of Dohne Merino breeders were softened by the attributes of hardiness and adaptability of their flocks.  In true Dohne Merino culture, our breeders also …………..

Read More

Posted on

The Genetics of shoulder height

The main selection criteria for the Dohne Merino breed is among others to increase yearling live weight, maintain fleece weight and to reduce mean fibre diameter. It is known that heavier and leggier animals tend to be less hardy and possibly less reproductive. It is hypothesised that selection for growth (weaning and post weaning) will […]

Read More

Posted on

SWM rams post best average

THE Superior Wool Merinos stud received a significant lift in its annual Poll Merino ram sale at Tintinara on Friday. Of the 80 rams offered, 78 sold to $4100 – up 14 per cent on last year’s sale top. Extra keenness by buyers also pushed the average up 12pc to $1501 – the stud’s best […]

Read More

Posted on

Bidders seek triple treat

COMPETITION from repeat buyers and new bidders underpinned the success of Hamilton Run Poll Merino, Dohne and White Suffolk stud’s annual on-property sale on Tuesday last week, with a top price of $4600 for the Poll Merinos. Stud principals Greg Andrews and Nicole Luckraft sold 103 of 112 Poll Merinos on offer for an average […]

Read More

Posted on

Fiftieth anniversary of the Dohne Merino Breed Society – 14 September 2016

The Dohne Merino Breed Society ended its 50th anniversary on a high note near Bredasdorp on the 14th of September 2016.  The occasion of the celebration took place at a wonderful venue – the RUENS PRIMARY – school.  The gala event took the format of a formal dinner with guest speaker Prof Mohammed Karaan of Stellenbosch University.  The festive ambience of the event was enhanced by ……….

Read More

Posted on

Buyers support auction addition

A SMALL offering of July/August 2015-drop White Suffolk rams, penned for the first time at Hamilton Run, met solid demand, with 39 of 44 selling to $1100 and averaging $776. The Hamilton Run White Suffolk stud was established with the purchase of 150 stud ewe hoggets from the Kismet stud, Albury, NSW. Hamilton Run stud […]

Read More

Posted on

The Maternal Qualities

Since the inception of the Dohne breed in our property, we have seen the benefits of the breed. Dohnes have proven their superior mothering ability and growth rates to meet lamb market specifications and also still produce a reasonable fleece at shearing. The Dohne fits into our sheep and cropping operation efficiently as documented below. […]

Read More

Posted on

Demand for wool, carcase qualities

MT ALMA’S Dohne ram sale strength was its commercial buyers, but a number of SA studs also operated. Robin and Marianne Schwartz, Pindari stud, Waterloo, lead the stud buying with three rams to $5000. Landmark auctioneer Richard Miller said it was just rewards for the Ashby family’s depth of quality. “Thestrength was the large volume […]

Read More

Posted on

The Dohne role in the Australian Industry

The Dohne is a true dual-purpose breed option capable of performing in a variety of environments. The use of objective testing programs and a focus on the major factors driving profit, performance and efficiencies within sheep enterprises, has seen the breed increase in number and importance in recent years. Continued improvements in wool and sheep […]

Read More

Posted on

How the Dohne stack up financially

Since its inception the aim of the Dohne Merino has been well defined with the breeding objective to improve meat, wool and reproductive traits. In comparison, Fine Wool enterprises have focused on just wool in the past, and similarly, prime lamb enterprises have tended to focus just on meat and reproduction. This analysis modelled the Dohne, Fine wool Merinos and a crossbred Prime Lamb enterprise run in three different environments and found the Dohne Merino is more profitable based on the last 10 year prices whether it is being run in high, medium or low rainfall environments. It would appear that the adoption of objective measurement and modern breeding tools has meant that the breed’s objective has been well implemented over the last 50 years.

Read More

Posted on

Gariep Superior Genetic’s first sale!

Jannie  Krüger and his son Niël bought in only the best genetics they could lay their hands on when they established their Dohne Merino stud, a few years back.  This father and son combination must be congratulated on the excellent stud they managed to buid up in such a short period in time.  Their strategy paid off when they staged their first official sale this year on the 23rd of August.  For starters they sold …………

Read More

Posted on

Kouga Dohnes, Karreedouw – Production sale

Mr Henri Du Plessis and his son Stephan, who recently received his certificate for passing the Dohne Merino course for Breeders, held their annual production sale of Kouga Dohnes on the 13th of September at Humansdorp.  GWK auctioneers’ Mr. Renier Zietsman and his staff conducted this very successful production sale at which 67 excellent Dohne Merino rams were sold at an average price ……….

Read More

Posted on

Bessiesfontein Dohnes, Ladismith, KZN – Production Sale

Julius Beukes, Bessiesfontein, Ladismith, KZN, held his very successful production sale on the 7th of September. Despite doubts about selling a little younger animals that were prepared for a touch shorter than usual, buyers of this studs excellent genetic material, confirmed their confidence in Julius’s Rams by buying the 55 available rams at an average price of ……….

Read More

Posted on

Pleasant View Dohne Sale

Clark Rattray held his annual production sale of his Pleasant View Dohne Merino stud on the 18th August.   The Pleasant view Dohne stud is known for rams with outstanding conformation.   Once again demand for this superior genetic material was very high and the large presentation of 77 top rams were sold at an equally high average price of ………

Read More

Posted on

Mullersvlei Dohnes, Calvinia – Production Sale

 The Mullersvlei Dohne Merino stud, regularly acquire top genetic material on the National sale and also production sales right across the entire country.  Marcellene van Rooyen also follow the basic principle of rearing sheep under natural commercial farming  conditions.  This policy got some recognition in 2016 when the Mullersvlei Dohne stud sold 43 excellent Dohne Merino rams at an average price of ………

Read More

Posted on

Piket Farmers’ Sale, Piketberg

The annual promotional sale of the Piketberg farmers took place on the 10th of August 2016.   Dohne Merino breeder, Stephen Mouton, yearly present excellent rams for sale at the Piket Farmers Sale.  This year was no exception and Stephen’s 50 rams were sold at an excellent average price of  R9,870 each.  The highest priced Dohne […]

Read More

Posted on

Sale Result – Suid Kaap Promotion Sale

The Southern Cape Promotion sale is one of the very few meaningful promotion sales supported dy Dohne Merino stud breeders. At this season’s sale on the 28th of July 2016, 84 Dohne Merino rams were sold at an average price of R7928-00. This average price serves as an indication of the high quality standard maintained. It is however of some significance to note that buyers are ………

Read More

Posted on

Obituary – Pienkie Watermeyer

Pinkey Watermeyer (1925-2016) was elected to the first Council  of the Dohne Merino Breed Society on 16 May 1966, died in Graaff Reinet on 4 August 2016 at the age of 91. He is remembered as a passionate supporter and breeder of Dohnes, especially in the early days,  at the time the  Dohne Merino Breed Society was formed.  He was very much involved in  the arrangements for the inaugural meeting to form a ……….

Read More

Posted on

Sale result – Basson Brs., Malmesbury

The Legendary Basson Bothers held their combined production sale on the 3rd of August 2016. Conditions were less than ideal on account of last years drought conditions experienced in the Swartland. Nothwithstanding, Hoffie Basson sold 42 rams at an average price of 13142-00. Hoffie’s brother, Lammie Basson likewise sold 34 more Dohne Merino rams …..

Read More

Posted on

Sales Result – Kromspruit Dohnes, Memel

Mrrs. Freddy and Mark Schmidt’s Kromspruit Dohnes production sale took place on Tuesday the 26th of July 2016. Apart from cattle, 47 registered Dohne Merino rams were sold at an excellent average price of R9372-00. The sale was marked by high prices for a number of outstanding rams. Likewise young Dohne Merino ewes were sold at an average price of ……

Read More

Posted on

Sale Result – Nello Dohnes, Brandfort

Mr Louis Nel and Mr. Carel Nel held an unexpectedly highly successful production sale of Dohne Merinos out of their Nello stud on the farm Ofra, in the Brandfort district. The sale taking place on the 28th of July 2016, was a fitting farewell to their stud advisor Mr. Wouter Vorster who departed form the area to continue his duties in and around Humansdorp. The success of the sale ……

Read More

Posted on

Sale Result – IPA Smit, Eendekuil

Mr Isak Smit, Piket Dohnes, Sorgvliet, Eendekuil, in the Swartland area, held his annual production sale on the 6th of August 2016. Despite the drought conditions of last year, tremendous interest was shown in both Dohne Merino rams and ewes. A total of 80 rams were sold at an average price of R11431-00 per ram. the average price for flock ewes was ……

Read More

Posted on

Sale Result – Weska Dohnes

Mr DH (Boeta Wessels held his production sale on the 22nd July on his farm Karsrivier in the Bredasdorp district. During the very successful sale, the highest priced ram was sold for R46000. In total 86 rams were sold at an average price of 10662-79. From these figures it is easy to conclude that Dohne Merinos are in high demand and that the Weska rams sold, were ……

Read More

Posted on

Sale Result Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University’s John Morris hosted their annual Production sale on the 13th of July 2016. John not only achieved excellent results but left on the 14th of July together with the group of South African Dohne Merino breeders and officials to attend the first Global Dohne Merino conference in Bendigo Australia. This remarkable work rate of John …….

Read More

Posted on

Dohne Merino course – Glen Agricultural College

The Dohne Merino course for students of the Glen College of Agriculture, Bloemfontein, were conducted on the 16th and 19th of August 2016.  The theoretical part on which the practical tuition is based was completed on the 16th of August. Mr. Louis and Karel Nel once again hosted practical sessions on the 19th of August for the Glen students.  Mr. Rudolph Smit (BKB) for his first time ……….

Read More

Posted on

PP MONG Production sale Result

Bertus Mong staged a very successful production sale on the 7th of June 2016. The sale took place under excellent weather conditions contrary to the usual expectations of the attendees. The mixed farming unit includes a fruit farming unit as well as other livestock and also a high standing Hereford stud. It is clear that all farming activities

Read More

Posted on

ELSENBURG DOHNE COURSE

The Main Dohne Merino course took place at the Elsenburg College of Agriculture from the 8th to the 10th of June 2016. The course was very attended by 55 students including breeders, prospective Dohne Merino Inspectors and students from Stellenbosch University and Elsenburg Agricultural College. Mr. John Morris who made the Facilities at Mariendahl experimental farm ……..

Read More

Posted on

Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein – Dohne Merino Course

The  Dohne Merino course for students of the Central University of Technology (CUT), Bloemfontein took place on the 4th and 5th of  May.  After completing the Theoretical part of the course on the premises of CUT, the practical sessions were hosted by Mr. Wicus Jacobs (Tweekoppen Dohnes, Reddersburg) for the first time.   The course was attended by 45 very enthusiastic and well behaved students.  Congratulations to ……….

Read More

Posted on

Dohne Merino Snippets 2016 Number 1

The must have book “Birth of a Breed – The Dohne Merino Story” proves to be very popular. The book sponsored by BKB, was recently presented to Prof Piet de Wet, Former Head of the Stellenbosch University’s Department of Sheep and Wool Science. Prof de Wet is still in good shape and commented very positively on various aspects of the Wooled Sheep Industry. The Dohne Merino Breed Society ………………

Read More

Posted on

Dohne Merinos prove to be reliable under natural grazing conditions

According to a recent analysis by the Dohne Merino Breed Society, at least half of the Dohne Merino breeders in South Africa do not use any resources to accerate reproduction. This portion of the stud industry can arguably be regarded as the “organic” portion of the industry. As can be expected, the reproduction in this portion of the industry is lower. Lambing percentages vary between……………

Read More

Posted on

Dohne Merinos show their metal during droughts

South Africa is currently experiencing one of the worst droughts ever. It is during times like this that farmers become newly aware of the value of hardy stock that can withstand these difficult conditions with the minimum of input at their disposal.
Dohne Merinos are known as easy care animals which can get by on relatively low quality fodder. The breed’s origin in the sourveld regions with severe winters, gives away the reason

Read More

Posted on

The South African Dohne Merino Breed Society – 50 years young this year

The name “Dohne Merino” has been a household name in the sheep breeding community, especially in the Eastern Cape, long before the official establishment of the breed society on the 16th May 1966. The official recognition by the Department of Agriculture’s Dr Wim Verbeek, at the Dohne Research Institute, Stutterheim, was the small beginning of the breed society with only approximately 2800 Dohne Merino ewes, divided up between

Read More

Posted on

PP MONG SALE 7 JUNE 2016

Bertus Mong is selling 65 outstanding AA and A Dohne Merino rams on 7 June, 2016 on the farm Florina Villiersdorp. Production figures of these rams are exellent and provide opportunities for both stud and commercial breeders to obtain top quality genetic material, suited to their need.

Read More

Posted on

First Dohne Merino courses 2016

The success of the Dohne breed, locally and internationally, relies almost entirely on scientific selection methods under ordinary flock farming conditions. Application of scientific principles to optimize productivity of the entire flock, is basic to the understanding and effective use of the Dohne System. Therefore the Dohne Merino course is one of the core businesses of the Dohne Merino Breed Society. The course uses a hands-on ………….

Read More

Posted on

Tweekoppen Production Sale

Tweekoppen Dohne merino’s held their annual production sale on Wednesday the 23rd February 2016. The sale’s average price of R4027 is R184 up on last year. The highest price of only R6500 indicates a good steady demand for rams in this drought stricken area. Mr. Wicus …………

Read More

Posted on

GG Business Trust Production sale

Gideon and Gawie van Zyl held their first production sale on the 5th of February at the Burgersdorp auction yard. This stud was founded only recently by buying genetic material on the dispersal sale of the Dowell Dohne Stud of former Dohne Merino president, Mr. Bruce Barnes Webb. The stud also attempted to consolidate superior […]

Read More

Posted on

CRUX Dohnes, Edenburg, Production Sale

Crux Dohnes held their 8th annual production sale in the usual Marques tent on the farm De Put of president, DMBS – Mr. Koos Vosloo. Severe drought conditions had every member of this progressive stud breeding group on his toes. Contrary to expectations, the sale culminated in an excellent result for both sellers and buyers. […]

Read More

Posted on

CC van der Merwe Sale

Cecil and Henk van der Merwe held their production sale on the farm Grootvlei just outside Barkley East on Wednesday, 27 January 2016. This farm sets an example regarding progressive development. A number of newly setup pivots greets the prospective ………………………..

Read More

Posted on

Lommie van Jaarsveld –

Lommie van Jaarsveld – One of our previous members passed away
It is with regret that the Dohne Merino Breed Society took note of the passing away of Mr Lommie van Jaarsveld who was a lifetime friend of the Dohne Merino breed and also a loyal stud breeder for a long period of time. “Oom Lommie” ……………….

Read More

Posted on

Out with the very old

You may very well remember our old website at dohnemerino.org. We were hard at work towards the end of last year and launched our new website early in 2015. As we adapt to both the challenges and the opportunities of the digital shift, we keep shaping and adapting our website to serve the needs of […]

Read More

Posted on

Council Report 2014

Economic turmoil became the hallmark of South Africa.   Despite South Africa being an agriculturally unfriendly environment at all levels, our farmers are rendering an excellent food security service. Meat and wool prices are at reasonable levels. However input costs are escalating in relation to total income. Labour costs and the productivity of available labour are […]

Read More

Posted on

Dohne Stud Farmers exploit the advantages of higher reproduction rates

It well recognized that the main profit driver in any livestock farming enterprise is efficient reproduction.   In woolled sheep, the total weight of lamb weaned represents the total outcome of the reproductive cycle of the ewe. This trait is currently receiving more attention by Dohne Merino breeders to increase profitability. Dohne Merinos were selected for […]

Read More

Posted on

Kursus verslag vir 2015

Dohne Merino kursusse is gedurende 2015 uiters goed bygewoon deur ‘n totaal van 237 studente. Hierdie studentetal was saamgestel uit 3 buitelandse besoekers, 19 voornemende inspekteurs en beamptes, 12 telers (insluitend kuddeboere), 180 studente en 23 hoërskool leerlinge.   Die kursusse is aangebied te Dohne Ontwikkelings Instituut, Stutterheim, Elsenburg Landbou Kollege, Stellenbosch (Elsenburg), GLEN Landbou Kollege […]

Read More