Dohne breeders embrace future challenges

July 22, 2016 – by Kim Woods Outcross Media

 
Future challenges for the Dohne breed lay with combining Dohne and Merino breeding values, increasing the use of genomics and widening the use of non-Dohne genetics.
They were key messages heard by national and international delegates at the inaugural Global Dohne Conference hosted by the Australia Dohne Breeders Association.
Held at Dubbo on July 21-22, the conference drew 44 international delegates from South Africa, Uruguay, United States and New Zealand, and 139 from five Australian states.
Delegates were favoured with a line-up of high profile industry speakers, sheep and trade displays, a fashion parade of the Australian Wool International Runway collection, a formal dinner and the National Dohne Ram Sale.
Delegates heard how commercial Australian sheep producers have embraced the Dohne breed.
Dohne genetics now influence 20 per cent of Australian commercial flock breeding ewes.
Australian Dohne Breeders Association technical adviser Allan Casey said the buoyant lamb and wool market had driven the evolvement of the Dohne in recent times.
He said the Dohne had the right balance of wool and meat production for the Australian market.
Australian Dohne Breeders Association president Richard Beggs described the inaugural global conference as a “milestone event’’.
Mr Beggs said the conference was also a celebration of 50 years since the formation of the South African Dohne Breeders Association.
“The Dohne is unique – a passion of wanting to develop a better sheep has what led to the Dohne,’’ he said.
“It ticks all the boxes – we have meat, wool and high fertility.’’

South African Dohne Merino Breed Society president Koos Vosloo said the challenges for the future lay with more complex breeding objectives balanced against the cost to the breeder.
Mr Vosloo said marketing needed to be focused on crossbreeding and international expansion.
“We are a little jealous of Australia as you can export semen and genetics all over the world – South Africa’s veterinary protocols jeopardise the effective exchange of genetic material,’’ he said.
Dohne Merino ram sales in South Africa have risen from 2438 in 2010 to 2718 in 2015.
In Australia, genetic gain since 1998 had been rapid at 30 index points.
Dohne Database Manager Brett Wilson said genetic gain had been achieved in post weaning body weight, eye muscle depth
Mr Wilson said clean fleece weight and yearling fibre diameter had been maintained.
“The benchmarking of the breed, even against Merinos, is important. The continued involvement in sire evaluation trials and opportunities to enter teams of wethers in wether trials to test our genetics,’’ he said.
The breed has moved from the original 50:50 wool and meat index in 1998 to a 70 per cent wool and 30 per cent meat focus in 2007.
Last year, this was further streamlined to maintain fleece weight and maximize production in meat traits.
The weightings are 56 per cent on body weight, 34 per cent on eye muscle area, eight per cent on reproduction and two per cent on both fleece weight and fibre diameter.
Allan Casey said the Dohne breed was embracing genetic tools including genomic testing and RamSelect.
He said the evaluation of using non-Dohne genetics (dual-purpose Merino) was one way of progressing the breed.
Mr Casey said commercial breeders thought of the Dohne has both highly productive and selectable.
“There is a quality assurance program put in place to allow breeders to be confident about the information,’’ he said.
“We continue to drive the breeding in a dual purpose way – meat, wool and surplus sheep, and we are trying to adjust that breeding to match the current market.’’

Dohne technical adviser Allan Casey continues to drive the breed’s focus on meat, wool and surplus sheep.

 

South African Dohne Merino Breed Society president Koos Vosloo and manager Kobus Delport were presented with a plaque commemorating 50 years since formation by the Australian Dohne Breeders Association.