Macquarie Dohne stud breaks on-property price and sale average records
An 'exceptional' ram combining elite wool and quality carcase traits set a new on-property record at the 23rd annual Macquarie Dohne production sale on Wednesday, September 23.
Held at Carinya, near Ballimore, the sale delivered an outstanding result, with all 165 lots selling under the hammer to a full clearance and an average of $3842, up $885 on last year, with a sale high of $21,000. Continue reading
2026 September Newsletter
The stars have aligned in the sheep industry with the wool market EMI lifting from 1197c / kg on June 13, 2025 to 1901c / kg on July 16, 2026, a rise of 704c / kg over 13 months. Over this period the heavy lamb market has gone from 1037c / kg reaching a record daily rate of 1236 / kg. These two commodities have the dual purpose Dohne in an envious position capitalising on quality 19-micron apparel wool and prime lamb carcass’.
This is backed up with the outstanding results by Macquarie long term clients at this years Walgett wether trial (March 2026), the longest continuous running wether trial in Australia, where out of 16 teams, 14 Merino / 2 Dohne, the Berrell family ‘Midgery’ Walgett came first with an overall value of $384.47 per head (Wool $89.64 and Carcase $294.83 per head) and the Currey family of ‘Bogewong’ Carinda 2nd with an overall value of $383.14 per head (Wool $92.30 and Carcase $290.85 per head).
Continue reading
2025 December Newsletter
With lamb and mutton values at an all time high and the wool market on the rise there is no better time to capitalise with dual purpose Dohne genetics. As we reflect on 25 years providing top Dohne genetics , the success of Macquarie Dohne Stud is well documented through within flock sire evaluations, ram sales, wool sales and the show ring. However, and most importantly, our client’s success. Continue reading
Full clearance at Macquarie Dohne with increased average and larger draft
Buyers sought structure and well-nourished wool at the Macquarie Dohne ram sale, held at Carinya, near Ballimore, on Wednesday, September 24.
All 162 lots sold to a top of $5500, twice, to average $2960, up $769 on last year.
David Berrell, Midgery Dohne stud, Walgett, secured the first $5500 ram, MD241741.
CA and JM Ross, Balmoral, Victoria, bought the second top-priced ram, MD241770, for $5500. Continue reading
2025 September Newsletter
This year’s sale rams are a tremendous draft of high quality genetics.
Our focus on wool quality and staple length over the last 25 years has come to the fore in this year's sale rams.
These superior Dohne wools along with the renowned Macquarie growth rates deliver the ultimate balanced sheep.
These rams are May to July drop and are unhoused running on predominantly perennial grass pastures. As with our policy (except during drought) these rams have never received any grain or pellet in any form nor have they been run on irrigation.
This is the largest offering of Dohne rams at a single vendor auction in Eastern Australia giving clients a large selection.
Sires from 2 families with 19 sires represented in the sale offering clients a large genetic pool, with 165 rams up for auction. Continue reading
Our focus on wool quality and staple length over the last 25 years has come to the fore in this year's sale rams.
These superior Dohne wools along with the renowned Macquarie growth rates deliver the ultimate balanced sheep.
These rams are May to July drop and are unhoused running on predominantly perennial grass pastures. As with our policy (except during drought) these rams have never received any grain or pellet in any form nor have they been run on irrigation.
This is the largest offering of Dohne rams at a single vendor auction in Eastern Australia giving clients a large selection.
Sires from 2 families with 19 sires represented in the sale offering clients a large genetic pool, with 165 rams up for auction. Continue reading
Move to Dohne pays off
The dual-purpose traits of the Dohne breed have significantly boosted the productivity of the Argent-Smith family's sheep flock in New South Wales, improving fertility as well as the early growth and carcase quality of their lambs.
CARCASE BONUS - "We sent 214 of our second line of lambs to Gundagai and they averaged a dressed weight of 29.84kg and returned $243 per head.
"What we were very pleased with was that 71 per cent of the draft received the Gundagai Lamb Quality 5+ score bonus which is worth 80 cents/kg, equating to a price of $8.36c/kg.
"We also received $8.50/hd for the skins, bringing the total return to $251/hd."
The Dohne lambs had also been shorn with the return from their wool averaging $25/hd.
"For us the results have confirmed that we're producing the right type of Dohne lamb that fits the bill for the Gundagai Lamb brand. Continue reading
Dohne genetics boosting the wool cheque in a composite ewe flock
Dohne genetics are not only adding growth potential and milk but also boosting the wool income for a northeast Victorian composite flock producing prime lambs.
Lima Park Pastoral, at Swanpool, transitioned from joining composite ewes to Poll Dorset and composite rams to Dohne, wiping off eight microns in a single generation and picking up an extra 440c/kg for the wool.
Lima Park Pastoral assistant manager, Barry Hutton, said the importance of wool in the composite enterprise was questioned due to low bale returns. Continue reading
2024 December Newsletter
As 2024 winds down the improvement in the lamb market looks like continuing into 2025. Last week’s Eastern State Trade Lamb Indicator (ESTLI) averaged 884c up 15% on the 5-year average. Heavy lambs are making up to 800c and lightweight lambs have hit 1000c. Restockers have underpinned the store lamb market showing confidence for 2025. MLA is predicting a 1% drop in lamb production in 2025.
Macquarie Dohnes enjoyed another highly successful year objectively and subjectively. Continue reading
Rams fly out the gate to four states at the Macquarie Dohne Production sale
Buyers sought drought-tolerant rams with high growth ratesat the 21st annual Macquarie Dohne Production ram sale, held on-property at Carinya, Ballimore.
The Nadin Family achieved a full clearance of 141 rams to a top of $6000 to average $2191.
Thomas and Sophie Holt, Coonong Station, Urana, purchased the top-priced ram, MD230708, for $6000. He was their sole purchase. Continue reading
2024 September Newsletter
Macquarie continued it’s exemplary success at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show (ASWS) in Bendigo, where the Dohne was feature breed.
Of the 29 broad ribbons on offer in the sheep and fleece showing, Macquarie won 22 of them including the Supreme Exhibit with a 5 year old Wardry family special stud donor ewe. This is on par with last years record ASWS success (24 broad ribbons). Macquarie has now won all 3 Supreme Exhibits at the ASWS; 2016, 2023 & 2024. Continue reading