1. General Overview
Note that the council report on breed activities during 2024 is released only at the end of 2025 to be able to reflect on complete information on 2023 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.
In general, 2024 was a challenging year for small stock farmers. Product prices were under pressure throughout the year. International instability had a marked effect on our local Dohne Merino industry. The number of rams sold in 2024 decreased from 2023 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 (82 in Table 1) is somewhat under pressure. This is a true reflection of the financial strain small stock farmers find themselves in. A negative tendency which we believe will turn as conditions are more favorable. A total increase of 5% more ewes 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.
The number of honorary members (Table 1) remained intact at three members.
The 2024 distribution of stud sizes (Table 2) remained quite stable compared to the figures for 2023. A welcome increase in ewe numbers is noted in the studs of more than 300 ewes. This pattern was established over many years and the instability of smaller studs remains a factor to be accounted for in the industry.
According to figure 1, the ewe contribution by region 1 (Eastern Cape), region 2 (Karoo) and region 4 (Western Cape) all decreased by 1% from the previous year. The number of ewes in the Southern Cape (region 3) decreased by 5% from the previous year to end on 12%. Region 5 (Free State) contribution is stable at 17% year on year. The ewe contribution of region 6 (KZN, Eastern Free State and Mpumalanga) increased by 8% to end at 24%. The result hereof sees region 6 to be the largest region followed by region 1. The decline in numbers in especially region 3 can be attributed
to the overall cut in small stock numbers due to crop cultivation.
3. Lambing percentage
The lambing percentage for all studs in 2023 improved by 1% from 2022 and is still 7% higher than in 2021 (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 40711 births registered, 37.3% were single born lambs and 50.7% twin born lambs. Triplets and Quadruplets constituted 12% of the 2023 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 7299 lambs or 18% (19% in previous year). 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 11783 animals or 35 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 2023 born animals varied slightly compared to 2022 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 birth year (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 11463. The number of approved ewes (1349) indicates a higher approval rate of 11.77% percent compared to 9.87% for 2023. 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 2219 rams sold during 2024 resulted in a turnover of R26,819 million. The average price of R11,665 per ram was achieved on the 2024 production sales. The top price for a single ram was R100,000 and was achieved on a production sale. Breeders can be complimented on this performance considering the challenging agricultural conditions of the past year.
Table/Tabel 6: Sales – 2017 to 2024 – Veilings
7. Technical matters
7.1 Production recording
The figures for 2023 born animals (Table 7), indicate a constant level of production despite slightly lower numbers of animals at 100days. The breed society recommends that breeders use the average production figures (Table 7) to plan their own operations. The average WPP% for the
breed will be constantly 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 2023 and changes in the averages of breeding values from 2022.
The figures presented in table 8 were the results of breeding value comparisons with 2020 as base year. Table 8 indicates a positive change in number of lambs weaned, weaning weight direct and 12 months body weight breeding values. Weaning weight maternal breeding values decreased
by 0.07 kg while the breeding values for wool traits seem to be stable. The general merit increased by +1.22 units.
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’s genetic linkage was calculated based on animals born in the period between 2018 and 2022. The number of link-sires accounted for in this period was 185 rams out of only 71 studs. SD 150015 had the highest linkage and was used in 16 studs over this period. The number of studs with only one link (11), 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 in 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 office software as well as on-farm software continue at council level. The new General Merit was implemented from September 2024. SA Studbook regularly corrects data errors and timeously provides accurate breeding values to our breeders.
The addition of breeding values for total weaning weight to sales catalogues serves to create awareness of improving rearing ability of Dohne Merinos.
8. Top Breeder awards
Congratulations to the winner of the Top Breeder Competition:
• Region 5. – Mr. Wikus Bekker (All-in-One Crux Dohnes).
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), John Morris, Andries Marx, Marcellene van Rooyen, Andries Greyling, Dries Pienaar, Wikus Bekker, Richard Armstrong.
9.2 Finances
The Breed Society’s finances are sound. The 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 2024. These courses were attended by 212 students and the prospective breeders and inspectors that passed the course for inspectors are congratulated.
9.5 Staff
Vaughan Collier was appointed as manager of the Society.
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 the efficient service provided to the breed and the small stock industry.