Dohne Merino is a breed that will take South African farming forward in years to come. That is why everyone is very excited for the EC Dohne Merino club auction on 23 February 2024, 12:00 at the Cathcart bowling club.

35 rams and 200 ewes will be available at the auction.

Dr Kobus Delport gives more information on the club:

The Eastern Cape Dohne Merino Club  was the first club of the breed society to be established on 12 July 1968, 56 years back.

The initial aim with the club was to organise field days, promotion of the breed by means of shows and only later on ram sales.  In this process the club played a major role in investigating international genetic research, computerising animal records and eventually advertising the breed by spreading genetic material across al major sheep producing areas in South Africa.  Extension-work in rural areas as far as Umtata, was done in those early days.

Indications of a club sale can be dated as far back as the 1980’s.  At that point in time the Eastern Cape club sale was known as the Kei Road sale.  This sale became a major item on the Dohne Merino calendar and proof of limiting the number of entries to 100 rams and 1500  commercial ewes can be traced to 1985.

Apart from the pioneer breeders and Mr. Cameron McMaster, more recently Mr. Robbie Blaine and his wife Peta Blaine made significant contributions to the management of the Eastern Cape Dohne Merino club.

Today registered rams are sold on basis of the Dohne Merino system that includes the use of objectively estimated breeding values as well as visual appraisal by well trained inspectors.

Dohne Merino rams sold at this sale are known to be hardy and adaptable to all sheep producing conditions.

More information on some of the sellers:

The Rob Dorino Dohne merino stud

The stud is established in 1959 making it one of the oldest studs in SA. Established by the late Mike Robb and later taken over by his son AJ. On AJ’s passing in 2019, the stud as sold to the Edwards family, now being managed by Michael and Gray Edwards. The stud is run in the cold Birds River area near the Penhoek Pass. The rams over the years have been sold to all corners of SA but predominately the Eastern Cape.

Every effort is made to purchase what we feel are the best genetics available via AI and live rams. These coming from the White Wools, FEM, Tweedale and Crux studs.

From time to time additional stud ewes have been acquired and currently many ewes are being introduced by means of the upgrading system allowed by the Society.

“We foresee a bright future for the Dohne Merono in SA and are proud to be associated with the breed,” says Gray Edwards.

Hampton Farms Dohne Merino Stud – “The breed of tomorrow “

HF Dohne Merino Stud is run by Morne de Bruin and his son Bradley de Bruin in the Happy Valley farming area of Cathcart since 2018.

Forming part of EC Dohne Merino Club held in Cathcart annually.

Happy Valleys climate is harsh, wet, cold and at times very dry. This was my driving force to breed a Ram of quality that would withstand these conditions yet still being able to produce top quality wool, fertility, adaptedablity and bettering our own flock at the same time.

Our animals are velt reared in this harsh conditions.