PO Box 101

Somerset East

5850
Tel / Fax : +27 42 2433 561
Mobile: +27 83 274 2870

E-mail: charlton@eastcape.net

PO Box 101

Somerset East

5850
Tel / Fax : +27 42 2433 561
Mobile: +27 83 274 2870

E-mail: charlton@eastcape.net

Glen Craig Guest House

Dohne Merino Breed Society Of South Africa

Registered Breeders

Location

The farm Charlton is situated on top of Bosberg in the district of Somerset East in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, a distance of 200 kms from the city of Port Elizabeth.

Charlton's natural vegetation comprises sourveld and the average rainfall is 700 mm. During the winter, from March to September, the sheep are moved to a sweetveld Karoo farm south of Somerset East.

History of the Charlton Dohne Stud

When it was realised that the family enterprise had reached the highest potential possible with Merino Sheep, it was decided in 1973 that additional income could only be generated from higher fertility and meat production. Consequently Dohne rams from the Dirko Stud (David le Roux) were introduced at that stage and by 1977 only Dohne rams were in use.

The increase in productivity was dramatic with the meat income of the flock improving by 250% over the first 10 years. At the same time the quantity, quality and length of the merino wool clip also improved.

From early on, an open nucleus breeding programme in terms of the Dohne Merino Breed Society of South Africa's Foundation Flock Register was followed, using rams from the Dirko Stud.

The CHARLTON DOHNE STUD was registered in 1984. To extend the genetic base, rams were purchased from time to time from various other studs. The Charlton Dohne Stud is a member of the highly successful Eastern Dohne Central Nucleus Stud.

Achievements

· 1993: second highest price on the West Cape National Sale.

· 1993: Philip Erasmus was a nominee for the Top Breeder Award in the Karoo region.

· 1993,1994 and 1995: third highest price on the Harrismith sale.

· 1998: second highest price at the Harrismith sale.

· 1997: fourth highest price at the Worcester sale.

· 1998: a Charlton ram received the highest price on production sales in South Africa.

Characteristics of the stud

1) FIBRE DIAMETER - The average fibre diameter of the flock is 20,4 microns.

2) GENETIC TRENDS—The following graph illustrates the genetic trends in the Charlton stud:

Results of Previous Production Sales

Production Sale

03 Sept 2013