Dohnes - the True Dual Purpose Merinos

Cameron McMaster

For decades the quest for the true dual-purpose Merino has been an ongoing saga throughout the Merino world. There have been many breeding programmers that have sought to do so, but very few have succeeded in perfecting a true dual-purpose sheep.

With a reproduction potential and lamb growth rate equal to or better than most meat sheep breeds, carcass qualities equal to international export standards and a fine merino fleece of very superior quality, the South African Dohne Merino can lay claim to the title "The True Dual Purpose Breed". The hardiness and easy care features of the Dohne enable this level of production to be achieved at low cost in some of the most severe commercial situations where sheep are run. In my experience over a lifetime with sheep breeds in many parts of the world, I believe that the Dohne today is unequalled in the levels of profitability that can be achieved. Its development should be hailed as one of the major achievements of the Merino Industry in the 20th Century.

Having been involved in the development of the Dohne over the past 40 years the question often arises in my mind - what are the factors that led to the phenomenal success of the breed?

There are only a few, but they have been fundamental:

The introduction into the original Merino ewe base at the Dohne Africultural Research Institute near Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape, South Africa: the genes for superior fertility and growth came from the original German Mutton Merino parent in 1939.

Consistent selection in the subsequent generations to maintain and improve these traits in the harsh sourveld environment of the Eastern Cape - thus genetically consolidating the attributes of hardiness and fitness, so essential to high lamb production in severe commercial environments. Consistent selection of Dohne's in subsequent generations were chosen for superior wool quality traits.

Establishing the optimum balance between wool production, body size and conformation necessary for higher reproduction and growth rates (WPP% of 5-7%)

The consistent use of measured performance and pedigree recording in a co-ordinated breeding to accurately select the parents of each successive generation 65 years of dedication to the quest for excellence in Merino sheep breeding by members of the Dohne Merino Breed society of South Africa. To think this can be duplicated by a single joining today demonstrates an ignorance of the principles of genetics. One might as well say that the Mona Lisa is nothing more than a piece of canvas covered with paint.

Dohne sheep rank amongst the best with Merinos in terms of fine wool traits. Wool traits in which the Dohne excels include some of the quality traits such as SD and CV%, Tensile Strength and Comfort Factor (Yardstick, WA. 2004). Resistance to Fleece Rot and Fly Strike is of an exceptionally high order. The wool production potential of the Dohne is higher than most commercial environments can support and, because of their inherent hardiness, Dohne's can be run at higher stocking densities in semi-intensive situations such as are experienced in mixed sheep/cropping enterprises, which translates into higher volumes of wool per hectare. Consistent attention to improving the quality and fineness of Dohne wool has born fruit - with the result that Dohne rams are often able to lower the fibre diameter in flocks where they are used.

Today, the number of lambs turned off per annum is the single most important factor influencing flock profitability - one of the strongest features of the Dohne. Fundamental requirements for high levels of prime lamb production are high reproduction rates, lamb survival and rapid growth rates to achieve early marketability. Early marketability of lambs frees production resources for a higher number of breeding ewes which in turn means more lambs and a snowball effect to higher profitability. Reproduction rates of 150% and growth rates of 400gm per day to weaning are common - many commercial Dohne breeders can market their lambs to slaughter at weaning or soon thereafter. In Australia exceptional carcass quality and low fat scores qualify even F1 Dohne lambs for the sophisticated export market. I have often been astounded by the phenomenal results that Dohne's have achieved in all environments. With wider international experience, I have come to the realisation that we have developed the most productive sheep breed in the world today.

The low wool prices and escalating meat prices over the last few years have plunged the international Merino industry into a crisis, which has resulted in an unprecedented decline in Merino ewe numbers as more and more flocks are being mated to meat sires as a survival strategy. This is a dire threat to the future of the wool industry. The Dohne offers the means to increase meat production and so maintain the viability of Merino flocks.

Introducing Dohne's into Merino Flocks should not be seen as a "switch" to another breed. Apart from using fewer rams to produce higher lambing percentages and significantly heavier and faster growing lambs, wool production will be fully maintained and the quality perhaps improved. Breeders who introduce Dohne genetics into their flocks are fully committed to the wool industry and are reluctant to embark on the short term negative program of indiscriminate crossbreeding with meat sires. They should be praised rather than criticised for this initiative.

In the commercial sector in South Africa sheep breeders are voting with their cheque books - there is almost a stampede to obtain the limited number of Dohne rams available and record prices have been achieved on Dohne Production Sales this year. This is because the Dohne has emerged as the most profitable commercial option in most production environments. This is certainly also apparent in Australia where, since its introduction there in 1998, it is having a major positive impact on the viability of woolgrowers and from where it has spread to New Zealand and South America. The Dohne, the only true dual-purpose Merino, should be acknowledged as an integral part of our Merino Industry, available to everyone to improve the productivity of woolled sheep flocks.