The Dohne Merino History

Cameron McMaster

INTRODUCTION

The sheep industry in South Africa has its origins in the early nineteenth century when, after the Peninsula War (1808 -1813), the fine-woolled Merinos of Spain were dispersed throughout the world. In common with other sub-continents in the Southern Hemisphere, the vast virgin grazing lands of South Africa were well suited to fine wool production. At the same time a growing demand from the expanding textile industries of the Northern Hemisphere created a ready market for a product that  was non-perishable and could easily be transported - the fine wool of the Merino sheep. Selection in sheep flocks in both Australia and South Africa was almost exclusively for wool production, much of the breeding material in the latter country being developed from rams imported from Australia between 1840 and 1932, in which year Australia imposed an embargo on ram exports.

However as the twentieth century progressed, changing economic and environmental circumstances   in South Africa necessitated a change in selection objectives. A much larger and more rapidly growing population created a growing demand for sheep meat. A large part of the summer rainfall pastoral zone in South Africa comprises course indigenous pasture of low nutritional value, generally referred to as sourveld.

The heavy cutting Merinos with their excessive skin covering (wrinkles) were not well adapted the higher rainfall sours grassland regions. Consequently a need developed for a well-adapted woolled sheep type with a higher potential for meat production. To this end limited importations of German Merino types (Deutsche Fleischschaff) were made in the early 1930's by the Dept. of Agriculture.

A NEW SYNTHETIC BREED
The suitability of the environment for fine merino wool production, coupled with a buoyant demand for sheep meat, favoured the development of new strains that combined fine wool production with improved fertility and slaughter lamb production. Particularly in the Eastern Cape, the poor adaptability of the conventional Merino was a limiting factor. Reproduction rates were poor and woolgrowers were unable to sustain flock numbers. The purchase of young wethers from healthier areas was a common practice.

When Mr. JJJ Kotze was appointed first Director of the newly established Dohne Agricultural Research Station near Stutterheim, he soon realised that the harsh sourveld environment at Dohne required a better-adapted and more efficient sheep type. He commenced breeding trials in 1939 and it soon became evident that crosses between the local Merino strain and the German Mutton Merino were well adapted and highly productive in the sour grassland regions around Dohne. A program was launched to fix the excellent characteristics of the first cross and, through inter-breeding and selection, to develop a dual-purpose fine-woolled Merino-type capable of high levels of lamb and meat production in this environment.

The co-operation of local sheep farmers soon expanded the program. The first private parent studs were developed under the supervision of Mr. Kotzé - the most important of which were the Waterford Stud (GW Featherstone), the Ross Stud (JBL Blaine) and the Wauldby stud (RL Blaine). The grandsons of the original pioneers are still running the latter two studs. By the 1950's a clear type had emerged and the new breed was becoming established commercially. It soon became evident that the "new" breed was well adapted to the region. Reproduction increased to such an extent that, where previously sheep had to be purchased regularly to maintain numbers, these enterprises now had large surpluses for sale each year, and an effective selection program could be followed. The production of high quality fine wool was fully maintained. The success achieved by these breeders soon resulted in the rapid expansion of the "new" breed and a number of daughter studs developed from these parent studs. The development programmers were always closely associated with the Dohne Agricultural Research Institute - hence the origin of the breed
name - DOHNE MERINO.

FORMATION OF THE DOHNE MERINO BREED SOCIETY
By 1966 the number of breeders had increased to such an extent that a Breed Society was established. Uninhibited by traditional systems, the Society was immediately able to embrace innovative methods, using the principles of population genetics to establish open nucleus systems and to introduce measurement and recording of production as an aid to selection. The Society decided that the success of the breed would depend on the welfare of the commercial sheep breeder. The breeding policy was designed to meet the needs of the commercial sector by setting selection objectives that would improve the cash income of the commercial breeder. Applying the most effective breeding techniques to ensure the maximum rate of improvement in economically important traits, and supplying the commercial breeder with information related to the measured relative performance of each animal offered for sale, enabling him to make the correct choices to meet his own objectives.

Conventional practices such as the judging of artificially prepared animals on National Championship Shows were soon discarded. The main criterion used to evaluate individual animals still is their measured relative efficiency in a commercial environment. While the phasing out of competitive shows may have been a major break with tradition, it actually became an important publicity exercise. The motivation that prompted this move was widely published and enjoyed a very positive response.

The Society fulfils a close supporting role for its members. In addition to fulfilling the usual functions of breed promotion and marketing, it operates standardised systems embracing performance recording, data storage and processing, and the inspection and selection of animals according to prescribed norms. It fulfils an important educational function whereby breeders are taught the principles of applied genetics and the application of advanced breeding and evaluation techniques. During the first quarter century of its existence, the Dohne Society set new trends and standards for the industry that contributed significantly to improved breeding objectives and methods amongst all the important woolled breeds in the Republic. At the outset the Dohne Society defined a new role
for itself - the achievement of higher productivity from more efficient animals, better adapted to both the physical and economic environments.

The concept of a fertile, dual-purpose merino with the capacity to produce fine wool on a robust mutton carcass had already been established and developed by the Department of Agriculture during the initial phases of the breed's development. It was left to the Society to promote this concept and to devise a strategy to improve the productivity and adaptability of the new breed. This strategy involved a few new principles, which were innovations at the time:The adoption of performance recording of the main economic traits on a national basis involving all sheep in all studs from as early as 1970. A national system of quality control was developed involving minimum standards of performance for qualification as stud sheep and a comprehensive inspection service to ensure that the standards were applied. The application of the principles of population genetics, and open nucleus breeding systems were developed with a view to larger numbers of sheep and consequently higher selection intensities. These principles culminated in the establishment of Sire Reference Schemes in the early 90's.

The exposure of all sheep under selection to a natural commercial environment in order to promote hardiness and easy care features, which enhance reproduction and growth rate and result in low production costs. To this end National Championships were phased out in 1977. After the adoption of performance recording it soon became apparent that competitive shows in the traditional sense were incompatible with the evaluation of animals on the basis of their measured relative efficiency in a commercial environment. These principles have been enormously successful. Production has improved considerably and at the same time there has been a substantial decrease in fibre diameter. As a consequence, the Dohne Merino is today highly sought after as the breed that combines high output with low production costs.

THE WALRICH CONNECTION

One of the most significant events in the history of the Society was amalgamation with the WALRICH SHEEP BREEDER'S SOCIETY in 1982. Walrich sheep had been developed along very similar lines to the Dohne Merino. The founder of the Walrich breed was Walter (Jock) Higgs of Richmond, Zastron. In striving for better constitution, fertility and mutton qualities, Jock Higgs mated his Merino stud to French Precoce rams in 1932. The combination was extremely successful and led to the development of a new synthetic breed known initially as Mutton Merinos and eventually as Walrichs, derived from Jock Higgs' first name, Walter, and the name of his stud, Richmond. The new breed rapidly expanded through the distribution of rams to Jock Higgs' clients and relatives. A breed society was formed in 1961. In time it became obvious that Dohne Merinos and Walrichs had a great deal in common. Both were dual-purpose, polled merino strains with high fertility, good mutton characteristics and a strong constitution. Both carried high quality merino wool of 20-22 microns. Their breed standards and selection objectives were identical and phenotypically they were hardly distinguishable. Genetically, the two breeds had a similar origin - the male parents in each case being European mutton merino types derived from the original Spanish Merino with infusions of Dishley Leicester. Both breed societies had a similar philosophy and progressive outlook. Because of these similarities it was logical that breeders of dual-purpose merinos would achieve more if they co-operated, rather than competed with each other in the same market with the same product.

Negotiations between the two societies began in 1975. Spurred on by the respective managers - Harry Prinsloo and Cameron McMaster - amalgamation was finally achieved at a joint general meeting of both societies at Bloemfontein on 21 July 1982. The negotiations between the two societies took place in a spirit of harmony and common purpose. All decisions were taken by unanimous agreement. Team spirit, a progressive outlook and enthusiasm, common to both societies, became the overriding characteristics of the amalgamated Society. The amalgamation was an outstanding success. While there were profound genetic and financial advantages, the most important result was undoubtedly the acquisition of a large number of intelligent, enthusiastic and successful sheep breeders as fellow members of an enlarged and even more dynamic
Breeder's Society.

THE DOHNE MERINO PHILOSOPHY
We select for maximum productivity in terms of fertility, maternal ability, wool and lamb growth rate, using objectively measured performance in a low cost environment. Selection is based on economically important traits, the most important criterion being the measured relative efficiency of our sheep as producers of marketable produce. We preserve and improve hardiness and adaptability by exposing the sheep under selection to a natural environment and by avoiding artificial feeding and housing of our breeding stock. This principle precludes participation in competitive show classes in the traditional sense. This is also the reason why a maximum wool length of six months is set for Dohne rams entered on official sales, thus keeping to a minimum the time necessary for sale preparation. We select within large flocks using the principles of population genetics and open nucleus breeding systems with a view to achieving the highest possible selection intensity. We progeny-test every sire mated in stud flocks. Comprehensive individual performance and progeny records are kept in respect of every ewe and ram recorded by the Society. Animals achieving exceptional performance are used effectively and extensively in A.I. programmers, in nucleus flocks and sire reference schemes where their superior breeding value can be exploited. We apply a strict system of quality control and inspection in all ram-breeding flocks, thus ensuring that only sheep that meet the required standard are used as flock replacements or offered for sale to the industry. We provide buyers of Dohne Merinos with comprehensive information regarding the relative productivity of every animal offered for sale - information which enables them to rapidly achieve the objectives they have set themselves.

BY USING DOHNE MERINO RAMS YOU TOO CAN PLUG INTO THIS POWERFUL SOURCE OF HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY.

FACTORS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE DOHNE MERINO
The persons originally involved in the development of this "new" breed had had no previous experience of "Stud Breeding" in the traditional sense. Uncluttered with any baggage from an established tradition, it was possible to develop a completely new and unique set of norms from which new traditions emerged. It was easy for new and inexperienced breeders to accept and apply these norms. The principles that governed the development of these norms are set out in the DOHNE PHILOSOPHY above. The acceptance of this philosophy was largely due to the motivation provided by Mr JJJ Kotzé, the initiator and director of the program in its early years and the zeal of the various managers of the Society. To the pioneers, the interests of "The Breed" were more important than the interests of the individual. With a common goal and often faced with severe criticism and opposition from the Industry establishment, these pioneers practiced an extremely high degree of co-operation and mutual support. The Society was also fortunate in the leaders elected as Presidents and Council Members over the years. The fact that there have been only three Presidents and three Managers since the inception of the Society means that there has been a high degree of stability at management level.

Some of the important aspects that ensured success were:
A common goal both in terms of promoting the breed and selection objectives No political or pressure groups or cliques were ever permitted to emerge. Strong leadership precluded this and so a harmonious environment persisted. The progress of the Breed and the Society took precedence over individual aspirations. This led to a high degree of team spirit and co-operation between breeders that initially took the form of frequent exchange of high performing sires and later led to the formation and successful operation of Co-operative Nucleus Flocks and Sire Reference Schemes. It soon became clear that once a commercial breeder had used Dohne rams, he was immediately so impressed that he became a confirmed and permanent customer. Many ram breeders gave or loaned the first team of rams to prospective clients. All decisions were reached by consensus at both Council and Breeder level - I cannot recall any instance where differences of opinion led to voting at meetings. Promotion which embraced not only the promotion of the Dohne Merino with its attributes and advantages, but also promotion of the System of Breeding, which tended to elevate the sheep and its breeders to a level above that of its competitors. Education of both prospective Breeders and Inspectors which not only served to raise the standard of breeding, but also became the most powerful promotional tool that was used.  The regular short courses arranged for breeders and officials of stock firms became increasingly popular and were attended by thousands of individuals over the years - all of whom became enthusiastic supporters and ambassadors.

The appointment of Sheep and Wool Officers attached to Wool Brokers and Livestock Co-operatives, as Inspectors of the Breed provided a major impetus for the Dohne Merino. These persons were influential in their communities. Being closely associated with the breed, its advantages soon became clear to them. They became an important element in breed promotion. New and contentious measures, such as the phasing out of competitive shows and the limitation of wool length on ram sales, were used to spearhead new promotion campaigns and thus not only enjoyed ready acceptance, but also provided very effective publicity. All exceptional achievements, supported by good pictures, have been published widely in the agricultural media - constant exposure is vital for effective promotion.