A VERY wet season on the NSW Northern Tablelands – more than 1000mm in the past year - has contributed to stronger interest in the more water resistant types at the Alfoxton Dohne Invitational Sale, Armidale, (Feb 14).
Besides selling the top priced ram Alfoxton principals Chris and Cindy Clonnan achieved an average of $1447 having sold 38 of 55 offered.
“We’re very pleased with the result in a challenging season,” Mr Clonan said.
“We’ve worked very hard on getting the wool white which is where the Dohne breed needs to be, in conjunction with a nice soft handle.”
Graham Waters, “Trig Hill”, Armidale, paid the $4000-top, for the ram’s size and bright white fleece.
The August-2010 drop ram was classed AA and one of the heaviest of the sale at 65.5kg, measuring 19.1 micron with a coefficient of variation of 14.98.
“I’m looking for a bit more weather resistance and this is the type of sheep I want to breed; I think it’s the best Dohne the Clonans have bred yet,” he said.
“He’s heavy and has very even wool, that’s white and has got good character.”
The sale was conducted by Landmark, Armidale, and Armytage and Buckley, Armidale.
Auctioneers were John Settree, Landmark, and Tom Piddington, Armytage and Buckley.
For more details see The Land this Thursday. 
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