1 General Overview
Note that the council report on breed activities during 2023 is released only at the end of 2024 to be able to reflect on complete information on 2022 born animals (now two years old). The report provides valuable information on aspects such as reproduction, production values and selection intensity, which proved to be valuable for making on-farm decisions by stud breeders and flock farmers alike.
International instability had a marked effect on our local Dohne Merino industry. A weakening economy and rising interest rates had a negative influence on the small stock industry in South Africa. The number of rams sold in 2023 decreased from 2022 and we are hopeful that this will increase as conditions become more favorable. Detailed analysis indicates that Dohne Merino rams offer excellent value to flock farmers. The provisions are of course that flock farmers are using breeding value information effectively to increase the profitability of their own flocks.
2 Membership and flock size
Membership of the breed (80 in Table 1) is somewhat under pressure. This is a true reflection of the financial strain small stock farmers find themselves in. A negative tendence witch we believe will turn as conditions are more favorable. A Total decline of just over 9% (3040 ewes less year on year, Table 1). Prolonged drought, general poor economic conditions and accompanying stock theft are having an increasing effect on woolled sheep farming in general. Dohne Merino breeders must take note of these factors and take pro-active action.
Table 1: Membership and population size / Lidmaatskap en populasie grootte
The number of honorary members (Table 1) remained intact at three members.
The 2023 distribution of stud sizes (Table 2) remained quite stable compared to the figures for 2022. This pattern was established over many years and the instability of smaller studs remains a factor to be accounted for in the industry.
Table / Tabel 2 Analysis of stud size – Ontleding van stoetgrootte:
According to figure 1, the ewe contribution by region 1 (Eastern Cape) increased by one percent to 22 percent and region 2 (Karoo) remained at 15 percent. The number of ewes in the Southern Cape (region 3) increased by 2 percent to 17 percent, while the contribution by the Western Cape (region 4) increased by one percent to 13 percent. The ewe contribution by region 5 (Free State) decreased by 3 percent to 17 percent and region 6 (KZN, Eastern Free State and Mpumalanga) decreased by one percent to 16 percent. The result of these small changes is that region 1 (Eastern Cape) remains the largest region with the Western Cape the smallest in terms of ewe numbers. The number of registered ewes per region varied between 6741 and 3786 which is marginally lower than the previous year. Drought conditions in some areas affected the distribution of registered ewes.
Figure 1: Distribution of stud Dohne Merinos on a regional basis:
3 Lambing percentage
The lambing percentage for all studs in 2022 improved by 6 percent from 2021 and is still 1 percent higher than in 2020 (Table 3). This improvement in lambing percentage can be attributed to improved conditions after the prolonged drought. The breed also improved genetically according to genetic trends.
Table 3 Lambing percentage of stud Dohne Merino ewes:
3.1 Birth registrations
Of the total of 42414 births registered 42.9 percent were single born lambs and 48.2 percent twin born lambs. Triplets and Quadruplets constituted 8.9 percent of the 2022 birth registrations.
4 Animal losses from birth to 12 months of age.
Losses between birth and twelve months of age may vary considerably on account of various reasons. The methodology for estimating breeding values accounts for possible bias when applying multiple trait analysis. Depending on the nature of the data-structure, unbiased breeding values are a given fact for the Dohne Merino stud industry. Losses between birth registration and 100 days of age amounted to 8100 lambs or 19 percent. Society rules provide for a maximum cull rate of 20 percent on basis of 100 days selection. The loss of animals from 100 days of age to 12 months evaluation was 11737 animals or 34 percent of those who survived to 100 days. Some bias regarding 12-months evaluation can therefore be expected. One reason may be the current economic situation linked to the effect of a very long dry spell that hit stock farmers particularly hard.
5 Inspections & selection intensity
Table 4 indicates the number of sheep approved (AA and A animals), expressed as a percentage of the number of lambs present at final inspection (12 months). The approval rate for both rams and ewes for 2022 born animals varied slightly compared to 2021 born animals. It is required that the percentage of AA-rams approved be kept below twenty percent on the inspection list to ensure acceptable rates of genetic improvement.
Note that the statistics in Table 4 are based on classing lists received at the office of the breed society during the calendar year and do not relate to the number of animals on which measurements were taken per birthyear (Table 7).
Table/Tabel 4 Number of sheep approved and selection intensity/Getal skape goedgekeur en seleksie-intensiteit.
Table 5 indicates that the number of F3 ewes presented for inspection decreased to 14677. The number of approved ewes (1449) indicates a lower approval rate of 7,74 percent compared to 9.5 percent for 2022. It is concluded that only the highest quality upgraded commercial animals enter the stud-register of the breed society.
Table/Tabel 5 Number of F3-ewes inspected/Getal F3-ooie geinspekteer
6 Sales of breeding material
The total number of 2294 rams sold during 2023, resulted in a turnover of R30,935 million. The average price of R13132 per ram was achieved on the 2023 production sales. The top price for a single ram (R115,000) also indicates a high level of confidence of stud breeders in the Dohne Merino industry. Breeders can be complimented on this excellent performance.
Table/Tabel 6: Sales – 2016 to 2023 – Veilings
7 Technical matters
7.1 Production recording
The figures for 2022 born animals (Table 7), indicate a constant level of production as well as higher numbers of animals at 100days. The breed society recommends that breeders use the average production figures (Table 7) to plan their own operations. A slight gain in the Average WPP% for the breed and will be monitored. Maintaining the balance between wool production and meat production is basic to the competitiveness of Dohne Merinos in the small stock industry.
Table/Tabel 7 Average production values of Dohne Merinos/Gemiddelde produksiewaardes
7.2 Genetic change
Table 8: Breed averages for breeding values of Dohne Merinos born in 2022 and changes in the averages of breeding values from 2021.
The figures presented in table 8 were the results of breeding value comparisons with 2019 as base year. Table 8 indicates a positive change in both weaning weights direct and 12 months body weight breeding values. Weaning weight maternal breeding values decreased by 0.02 kg while the breeding values for wool traits seem to be stable. The increase in growth rate and body size resulted in an increase of +1.91 units of general merit.
Breeders are encouraged to place more emphasis on the number of lambs weaned per ewe lambed expressed as a percentage per ewe lifetime, in their breeding programs.
7.3 Genetic linkage
This year genetic linkage was calculated was based on animals born in the period between 2017 and 2021. The number of link-sires accounted for in this period was 168 rams out of only 36 studs. JW150558 had the highest linkage of 36 for this period. The number of studs with only one link (8), indicates room for improvement in this regard. Some other aspects that need attention include the number of progenies finally evaluated per sire as well as the mutual exchange of sires amongst studs. The use of link-sires born in only a few studs, leads to a reduction of the genetic pool of the breed. Remember that the definition of a genetic link is a sire having more than 20 offspring in each of at least two studs.
7.4 Other technical matters
Technical discussions regarding upgrading of office software as well as on-farm software continues at council level. SA Studbook regularly correct data errors and timeously provide accurate breeding values to our breeders. The addition of breeding values for number of lambs weaned per ewe lifetime (expressed as a percentage) to sales catalogues, serves to create awareness of improving rearing ability of Dohne Merinos.
8 Top Breeder awards
Congratulations to the Regional winners of the Top Breeder Competition:
- Region 1. – Mr. Frans and Andries Marx (FEM Dohnes).
- Region 2. – Mr. Philippie and Japie Marais (Lowmar Dohnes).
- Region 3. – Mr. DH Wessels (Weska Dohnes).
- Region 4. – Mr. John Morris (University Stellenbosch).
- Region 4. – Mrs. Marcellene van Rooyen (Mullersvlei Dohnes).
- Region 5. – Mr. Wikus Bekker (All-in-One Crux Dohnes).
- Region 6. – Mr. Clark Rattray (Pleasant View Dohnes).
Note: The two winners for region 4 achieved the same result.
The Dohne Merino Breed Society thanks our sponsors – Virbac, BKB, Voermol and Molatek who sponsor this prestigious event on a continuous basis.
9 Administration
9.1 Annual General Meeting
After appropriate election of councilors, the following council was appointed: Philippie Marais (president), JH (Koenas) van der Westhuizen (vice-president), Andries Marx, Andries Greyling, Marcellene van Rooyen, Dries Pienaar, JL Bekker, Mr. John Morris and Richard Armstrong.
9.2 Finances
The Breed Society’s finances were sound. Investments of the society had grown according to expectations.
9.3 Per capita fee
The per capita fee was set at R28,00.
9.4 Courses and Promotion
A total of six courses were presented during 2023. These courses were attended by 238 students and the prospective inspectors that passed the course for inspectors are congratulated.
9.5 Staff
Mr. Vaughan Collier was appointed an assistant manager.
10 Acknowledgements and thanks
The support of all organizations that contributed to the success achieved by the Dohne Merino industry is thankfully acknowledged. A special thank you to all our sponsors, breeders and inspectors for their efficient service provided to the breed and the small stock industry.