2023 December Newsletter

Macquarie year in review

After three consecutive wet years along with high sheep and lamb prices, 2023 was disappointing on the price side coupled with the majority of our clients receiving well below average rainfall, fed sheep for most of the year and didn’t plant crops.
Unfortunately the cost of production remains extremely high causing many sheep producers to cut back on numbers and, in some cases, get out of sheep altogether. As we know, livestock production is long term ….. especially genetically. The result of breeding decisions made now aren’t realised for twelve to twenty four months.
As the year closes the lamb market is back to sustainable prices and wool EMI has picked up 100c. Unfortunately mutton and re-stocker prices remain below par.
On a positive side, 2023 in some respects was one of our most successful. At the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in July, we had a record showing of the Dohne breed in Australia taking out 24 broad ribbons including Supreme exhibit, Grand Champion Junior and Senior ram, Grand Champion Pair, Grand Champion Group and Champion Group of 3 fleeces (5th time in succession) along with the Most Successful Exhibitor.

*Peter Nadin, Uruguayan Merino Dohne Association President Marcelo Grattarola and Grace Nadin with the Supreme Dohne Exhibit.*

Macquarie also performed exceptionally well in sire evaluations. At Ballmoral MD19-1457 is the trait leader in post weaning weight, hogget weight, eye muscle and fat yet only 5% behind he average on fleece weight.

*Balmoral Merino Sire Evaluation Site Report*

Due to the economic and climatic situation , as expected our annual on property ram sale was back on previous years selling 152 rams for a $1900 average and topping at $5000. However, grade ram sales have been healthy and we’ve sold genetics to all sheep producing states in Australia highlighting the versatility of Macquarie Dohnes.

*John Nadin, Macquarie Dohne Stud, Chris Clemson, Clemson Hiscox & Co, Bruce Bryant, Peter Milling Co, Grace and Peter Nadin, Macquarie Dohne Stud, and auctioneer Paul Dooley.*

Our sire battery is by far the best we’ve had and we are looking forward to classing up the 23 drop rams in March. Adding to our sire battery is a young sire (purchased with Kardinia Dohne Stud) from Stirling Dohne Stud, Western Victoria. Stirling Dohnes are run in the toughest environment in Australia and we are looking forward to the genetics this ram has to offer.

*Murray Rogerson, Stirling Dohnes, with the 13 month old sire Macquarie purchased with Kardinia*.

During the year we were privileged to have visits from Uruguayan Dohne Breeders and students from Tocal Agricultural College.

*Uruguayan Dohne Breeders at Macquarie Dohne Stud.*

Wishing all clients, supporters and Macquarie staff a Merry Christmas and thank you for your continued support.
John and Greg.