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 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 →

Dohne ewes are an ideal fit for Rod and Anne Baker's mixed farming operation in Victoria, producing quality, fast-growing prime lambs that consistently perform well, often topping the local market in Bendigo. This year the Baker family sold about 700 Dohne-cross lambs, averaging an impressive 38 to 40 kilograms carcase weight, from late May through to early June, recording the sale top for three weeks in a row. "We averaged $254 a head across the entire draft of just over 700 10 month-old lambs, with a top of $270 a head," Mr Baker said. "I do focus on our costs of production and out of the $254 average for our lambs, the costs were about $40, including marking, shearing and grain, I think that's pretty good." Continue reading →

THE future of Dohne sheep is in good hands with the formation of the 'Wolf Pack', a group of young, motivated breeders committed to the development and growth of the breed in Australia. An initiative of the Australian Dohne Breeders Association's National Council, Wolf Pack member and spokesperson Matthew Mills said the group was the voice of the next generation of Dohne breeders. "The group also aims to provide young stud breeders with exposure to the policies and plans that are in place for the Dohne breed and hopefully encourage them to consider joining the National Council in the future." Continue reading →

A New South Wales family has won a memorial trophy in honour of their late son and brother at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show. The Macquarie Dohne stud, Ballimore, NSW, took home the supreme ribbon for the Dohne breed, the feature sheep in Bendigo this year. The Tom Nadin memorial trophy was awarded to supreme champion ewe. Mr Nadin was the late son of Macquarie Dohne stud principal John Nadin. Continue reading →