Operating for the past 20 years in the central west of NSW, Macquarie Dohne Stud has enjoyed a large amount of success - both in the show ring and at sales.
Now one of the largest Dohne studs in Australia, Macquarie are selling up to 500 rams annually with 1500 registered purebred stud breeding ewes in six families.
One of the pioneers in bringing Dohnes to Australia, Macquarie was formed as a joint-venture between Greg McCann BVSc and John Nadin in 2000.
Both gentlemen bought different and unique skill sets to the partnership.
"Greg was one of the first large scale Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer Veterinarians in Australia, establishing an Artificial Breeding Company in 1982," Mr Nadin said.
"Greg practiced in all states of Australia over the pursuing years, supplying services in Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer.
From 1988, Mr Nadin managed the family Merino stud, selling up to 300 rams annually.
He has vast experience in the stud sheep industry, managing, sheep classing and consulting for over 30 clients.
Mr Nadin has judged at more than 50 sheep shows and flock ewe competitions.
In January 2005, he dispersed his Merino stud to concentrate on the Dohne enterprise.
The Nadin's Merino classer, James Koster, joined the Dohne operation as the stud classer.
"James is one of the few Dohne stud classers who sees the Dohne for what it is, gets the balance right and doesn't favour wool over carcass or vice versa," Mr Nadin said.
"James and I have been working together as classer and stud master for over 30 years.
"This is an invaluable relationship when it comes to stud sheep breeding."
Macquarie has focused on early growth rates combined with long staple, bright, soft handling, well nourished, quality wool that handles all environments.
It's genetics have influenced major Dohne studs in NSW, QLD, VIC and Western Australia through semen, rams and stud ewes.
"Macquarie genetics have also been a major contributor in the establishment of the Dohne breed in a number of other countries, including New Zealand, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru and the Falkland Islands," Mr Nadin said.
"The maternal qualities of the Dohne ewe prove perfect for Australian conditions.
"They are survivors, resilient and fertile.
"Full pedigree, modern objective breeding techniques coupled with stringent subjective classing to maintain the breed standards."
Ethically, as an apparel wool producer, the Dohne stands alone with a natural bare breech eliminating the need for mulesing. Macquarie ceased mulesing in 2004.
Macquarie is all about producing superior Dohne genetics and they understand what a 'true' Dohne is.
"We maintain an efficient, productive ewe flock, selected on the basis of science and practical assessment," Mr Nadin said.
"Macquarie ewes demonstrate crucial commercially relevant traits.
"Our ewes have a strong constitution with the ability to ride out lows of nutrition.
"They are fertile with the ability to re-breed in a short joining period under prevailing nutrition levels.
"Our ewes show the ability to respond positively to fluctuating nutritional and climatic environments and have a high production efficiency in the ability to convert available feed.
"Wool production is an important aspect of the Dohne breed maximizing wool cut without sacrificing growth rates and fertility."
In testimony to Macquarie's breeding philosophy, they enjoyed another successful Australian Sheep and Wool Show in July 2019.
They took out NSW Champion Ram, NSW Champion Pair, Reserve Grand Champion Pair, Best Three Fleeces (above 81mm), Best Individual Fleece (above 81mm) and Most Successful Exhibitor.
It was the second year running that the stud took out the Best Three Fleeces (above 81mm) and Best Individual Fleece (above 81mm) categories.
Despite the drought conditions over the last couple of years, Macquarie were still able to have a 100 per cent clearance at auction in 2019.
It's Victorian sale saw the top price of $13000, a record for a Dohne ram at auction in Victoria.
"Our success is not only evident at stud level," Mr Nadin said.
"It is also displayed by our clients receiving premiums for their surplus sheep sales, in particular, through Auctions Plus.
"This can be attributed to good genetics, good management, good classing and good agents.
"At Macquarie we strive to stay well ahead of the pack genetically and realise higher returns for our clients."
Macquarie's 17th annual production ram sale will be held at Carinya, Macquarie's ram depot, on Monday, September 21.
- Visit: www.dohnes.com.au
