The Dohne Merino Breed Society continues to take part in expos and information days to share information about the industry and also to discuss various topics of interests to breed Dohne Merinos. The main events the Dohne Merino breed participated in included: Nampo Cape, Alpha expo at Parys Free State, “Kragdag” east of Pretoria and Aldam Livestock School.
Nampo Cape held at Bredasdorp, remains the Dohne Merino breed’s main exhibition opportunity. This year an excellent AI sire and two ewes, one with a quadruplet and one with a triplet of Mr Boeta Wessels, were displayed
Mr Danie Bruwer took responsibility for the Alpha Expo as well as the “Kragdag” exhibition and presentation at Aldam Livestock school. Mr Bruwer, South Africa’s 2018 national intensive small stock farmer of year, also held an intensive small stock farming workshop at Alpha expo, which was attended by 80 participants. Congratulations to all Dohne Merino breeders who received awards from SA Studbook for the accuracy and promptness in submitting data as well as efficient use of breeding values to improve their flocks! This expo will possibly be moved to the venue of Nampo, Bothaville, on account of the size thereof.
The “Kragdag” expo was also very well attended and provided the opportunity to demonstrate Dohne Merino farming to farmers from North West, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
The latest scientific developments in stock farming are communicated to livestock farmers at the Aldam Expo. It was a privilege to communicate the newest developments in Dohne Merino breeding in the presence of other prominent small stock breeds. Thank you to Mr Danie Bruwer who provided his Dohne Merinos for the purpose of the demonstration.
The meeting of Region 5’s breeders, is becoming a major event on the Dohne Merino Calendar. This year’s meeting took place at the University of the Free State and information on topics ranging from genetics to feeding physiology and small stock diseases were discussed by experts in their fields.
ther information days of note included one at Kaallaagte close to Bethlehem, Brandfort (Nello stud), The course at Kromspruit Dohnes (reported on under courses) and a Dohne Merino demonstration for the Grootfontein Agricultural College’s students.