DUAL PURPOSE DOHNE

 What does a dual purpose sheep mean?

 In 1788 the first sheep arrived in Australia with the First Fleet. The first settlers wanted sheep for their meat not the wool. In 1797 John Macarthur bought Merino sheep at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa; on his way to Australia once here the Merinos were crossed with other sheep.

If we look at the beginning of the sheep industry in Australia and even Victoria as
an example we would see the fortunes made in the large acreage properties of the Clarks at Rupertswood Sunbury and the Churnside’s at Werribee. The size of properties has reduced in the last two hundred years and therefore a changed approach has to be taken by the land owner.

In today’s competitive market place it is no longer acceptable to focus on the
Merino for the fineness of the wool or other breeds for meat production.
Farming has now become a competitive business with farmers looking for both
fine wool and prime lambs to increase their income. 

This is where the Dohne comes into its own for fine wool with microns to equal
that of the Merino “The Chinese prefer to purchase the Dohne wool as it is very strong and they can run their spinning machines at a faster rate increasing production.” Prime lambs now bring top price at the sale yards as the meat has
less fat than other lamb. Dohne meat is being marketed to select butchers and restaurants who are charging a higher rate than other lamb.