Courses remain one of the main marketing activities of the Dohne Merino Breed Society. The purpose of the courses is to introduce the breed and to “instil a love” for the breed amongst all participants in courses. In addition, courses offer highly technical information on animal breeding, farm management and administration, essential information for inspectors and breeders which is needed for the improvement of their stud farming in the Dohne way of doing. The accurate selection of rams and evaluation according to true merit rather than mere “beautiful appearance” is a core message of courses and both breeders and their clients are encouraged to attend such courses regularly. In this way the breed will remain at the forefront of new developments and value is added to their woolled sheep farming!
During 2019, the eight courses presented, were attended by 260 students, breeders, flock farmers and officials. Congratulations to M Scheepers, Stellenbosch University, who achieved the highest overall mark of 82 percent among a record number of course participants. Congratulations to Henton Minnaar, Dirko Bezuidenhout, Willem Barnard and Louw van Rooyen who passed the inspectors’ course. These potential new inspectors are expected to contribute to maintaining high levels of discipline in the application of the Dohne system in stud farms.
WE WISH TO THANK THE FOLLOWING DOHNE BREEDERS AND OFFICERS WHO HELPED WITH THE PRACTICAL SESSIONS IN 2019:
Richard and Mandy Armstrong, Armstrong Farms, Cathcart, Dr Jasper Cloete, Elsenburg Agricultural College, John Morris, Stellenbosch University Dohne Stud, Jan Jacobsz, CUT, Bloemfontein, Nomvula Nkonyane, Glen, Bloemfontein, Dr Ockert Einkamerer, UFS, Bloemfontein, Siya Ngcobo, Cedara, KZN, Pierre van Rensburg and Hanelie Roux, Weston, Mooiriver, KZN, Carel and Louis Nel, Nello Dohnes, Brandfort, Wikus Bekker, All-in-One Dohnes, Edenburg, Julius Beukes, Bessiesfontein Dohnes, Ladysmith, KZN, Gary Trethewey, Jan Olivier, Hennie Hattingh, Jan Joubert, Danie de Wet, Theuns Botha, Theuns Barnard (all BKB) as well as Hardie vd Heever and JG du Toit (OVK).
Many thanks also to the many persons responsible for the logistics of offering the courses, including accommodation, catering and transport.
Kursusse bly een van die hoof bemarkingsaksies van die Dohne Merino Telersgenootskap. Die doel met die kursusse, is om die ras bekend te stel en “‘n liefde” vir die ras op te wek by alle kursusgangers. Hierbenewens bied kursusse hoogs tegniese inligting oor diereteelt, boerdery bestuur en administrasie, noodsaaklike inligting vir inspekteurs en telers om hulle stoeterye op die Dohne manier van doen te verbeter. Die akkurate seleksie van ramme en waardebepaling volgens werklike meriete eerder as blote “mooi voorkoms” is ‘n kernboodskap van kursusse en beide telers en hulle kliënte word aangemoedig om gereeld sulke kursusse by te woon. Sodoende bly die ras op die voorpunt van die nuutse ontwikkelings en word waarde toegevoeg tot hulle wolskaap boerderye!
Gedurende 2019 is agt kursusse aangebied wat deur 260 studente, telers, kuddeboere en beamptes bygewoon is. Baie geluk aan M Scheepers, Stellenbosch Universiteit, wat tussen ‘n rekord getal kursusgangers, die hoogste algehele punt van 82 persent behaal het. Geluk ook aan Henton Minnaar, Dirko Bezuidenhout, Willem Barnard en Louw van Rooyen wat die inspekteurskursus geslaag het. Daar word verwag dat hierdie potensïele nuwe inspekteurs daartoe sal bydra dat hoë vlakke van dissipline gehandhaaf word in die toepassing van die Dohne-stelsel in stoeterye.
ONS RIG ‘N WOORD VAN DANK AAN DIE VOLGENDE DOHNE TELERS EN BEAMPTES WAT MET DIE AANBIED VAN PRAKTIESE SESSIES IN 2019 GEHELP HET:
Richard en Mandy Armstrong, Armstrong Farms, Cathcart, Dr. Jasper Cloete, Elsenburg Landbou Kollege, John Morris, Universiteit Stellenbosch Dohne Stoet, Jan Jacobsz, CUT, Bloemfontein, Nomvula Nkonyane, Glen, Bloemfontein, Dr Ockert Einkamerer, UFS, Bloemfontein, Siya Ngcobo, Cedara, KZN, Pierre van Rensburg en Hanelie le Roux, Weston, Mooirivier, KZN, Carel en Louis Nel, Nello Dohnes, Brandfort, Wikus Bekker, All-in-One Dohnes, Edenburg, Julius Beukes, Bessiesfontein Dohnes, Ladysmith, KZN, Gary Trethewey, Jan Olivier, Hennie Hattingh, Jan Joubert, Danie de Wet, Theuns Botha, Theuns Barnard (almal BKB) asook Hardie vd Heever en JG du Toit (OVK).
Baie dankie ook aan die baie persone wat verantwoordelik was vir die logistiek rondom die aanbied van die kursusse, insluitende akkomodasie, spyseniering en vervoer.
Stutterheim course - Richard Armstrong Tweeddale, Cathcart 27 Feb - 01 March, 2019
This main course for breeders and officials was attended by 12 students. Results were excellent with an average mark of 64 percent. Congratulations to Mr Paul Jackson who scored the highest mark of 74 percent as well as Mr H Minnaar who, on a first attempt, obtained the Inspectors qualification.
Central University of Technology (CUT) Bloemfontein, 09-10 May 2019
The course was attended by 41 students and 8 officials. The course is currently a highlight on CUT’s calendar, and we thank the instructors as well as Messrs Carel and Louis Nel for the pleasant way the students were received. Thank you also for the use of their sheep and facilities as well as the time they sacrifice. Congratulations to Dirko Bezuidenhout who met the requirements of the inspectors training course as well as PHN Smith who achieved the highest mark of 72 percent in the student course.
Stellenbosch University, Elsenburg Agricultural College, Stellenbosch, 11 - 14 June 2019
The second major course of the Society was attended by 38 students from Stellenbosch University, 5 students from Elsenburg Agricultural College as well as 16 breeders and officials. The average pass rate for the 59 course participants was an excellent 62.2 percent. Congratulations to M Scheepers of SU who achieved the highest overall mark of 82 percent. Mr. Willem Barnard (BKB) and Louw van Rooyen passed the qualifying examination for inspectors.
Kromspruit, Memel, 03 - 04 July 2019
This course was initiated by Mr Freddy Schmidt as part of the celebration of Kromspruit Dohnes’ 40th production sale. It was a privilege to present the course to 28 enthusiastic flock farmers and woolled sheep breeders. The average overall mark for the course was 53 percent and A Cronje scored the highest mark of 60 percent. The instructors, Jan Joubert, Danie de Wet and Theuns Botha enjoyed the course with the farmers and many talked about the sale which would take place on the 5th of July.
Glen Agricultural College, Bloemfontein, 23rd - 24th July 2019
The Glen students’ course practical was presented with the kind co-operation of Mr Wikus Bekker and for the first time, Mr Theuns Barnard (instructor). Unfortunately, student protests disrupted the theoretical examinations. Nevertheless, the 31 students achieved an average mark of 55 percent for their practical. Congratulations to R Sekobolo who achieved the highest practical mark of 67 percent.
University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 01 and 03 August 2019
The course at Free State University was attended by 34 final year agricultural students and an average mark of 60 percent was obtained. Congratulations to B Valentin who achieved an overall mark of 74%. Practical was presented on the farm Geluksdam by Mr Wikus Bekker and Mr Theuns Barnard acted as instructor.
Cedara Agricultural College, Hylton, KZN, 07-08 August 2019
An extremely successful course was offered to 12 students at Cedara Agricultural College. Thank you to Mr Siya Ngcobo (lecturer) for excellent arrangements. An overall average mark of 53 percent was achieved, and SM Xaba had the highest mark of 62 percent. Practical work was completed jointly by the students of Cedara and Weston Agricultural Colleges, on the farm Bessiesfontein of Mr Julius Beukes. Thank you to Mr Julius Beukes for his hospitality as well as having made his facilities and sheep available at short notice
Weston Agricultural College, Mooi KZN, 06 and 08 August 2019
The high school course was attended by 35 learners from Weston Agricultural College. Congratulations to the best student for this course, A Filipe who achieved an overall mark of 69 percent. Thank you to Pierre van Rensburg and Hanelie le Roux for not only running the course smoothly, but making good progress in developing their Dohne stud.