The Dohne Merino Breed Society announced with great pride that Mr. Clark Rattray won the 19th award of the Dohne Merino Top Breeder trophy. The Breed society also conveyed a special word of thanks to the four sponsors of the ward namely Virbac, BKB, Voermol and Molatek (regional winner sponsor). Virbac that was involved from the beginning of this award deserves special mention for supporting the top award of the Dohne Merino breed society on a long term basis.
Clark Rattray is a very worthy winner of the Virbac National Top Breeder trophy. Clark’s Pleasant View Dohne Merino stud consists of only 260 ewes but by consistently maintaining a lambing percentage (Number of lambs registered per ewe on record), of more than 150 percent, Clark effectively created a much larger than expected selection potential. Linked to Clark’s ability to accurately appraise the overall merit of stud animals and meticulous performance testing, his winning combination excels regularly at the National Dohne Merino sale. In 2015 Clark already recorded an average sale price of R78750. He also regularly invests in the absolute top Dohne Merino rams to ensure the long term success of the Pleasant View stud. The foundation of Clark’s stud was laid rock solidly by selecting top ewes from his late father – Craig Rattray’s Milburne Dohne stud. The Milburne stud was another Dohne Merino stud,also highly rated for the role played in the development of the Dohne Merino breed. In fact Clark dedicated the award to his father, Craig Rattray. After receiving the award clark thanked his stud advisor, Danie Schoeman and his farm personnel for their long term commitment to the success of the stud. Clark who is involved in many community projects, shows etc. concluded by thanking his wife Sherry for her support.
Photo L/R : Dr Kobus Delport (Dohne Merino Breed Society) , Mr. Jacobus le Roux (Manager, BKB), Janneman van Aardt (Virbac), Koos Vosloo (at the back, president DMBS), Sherry and Clark Rattray (National winner of the Virbac Top Breeder Trophy) and Hendrik van Pletzen (Voermol) with the Virbac National Top Breeder Trophy.