Thanks to strong buyer interest, years of strict selection and targeted breeding goals, Potberg Dohnes opened the Dohne Merino auction calendar on a high note this year.
By Fredalette Uys
According to Dirk du Toit, who manages the stud near Bredasdorp in the Western Cape with his father, Vlooi du Toit, Potberg Dohnes’ 18th production auction on 21 January was a great success.
The most expensive ram, lot 13 (JF24.672), was sold for R35 000 to De Kock Cloete of Riviersonderend.
“This ram is one of triplets, very well built with a long, deep body, as well as thick legs and a strong head. The ram has exceptionally high-quality white wool, with a very long staple length, a fine micron of 17,6 and a clean yield of 77%,” explains Du Toit.
He adds that there was stronger demand and more buyers present at the auction this year, with a noticeable number of new buyers. This improvement is attributed to a strict selection policy and targeted breeding goals applied over many years.
“It is a pleasure for us that four fellow Dohne Merino stud breeders bought rams from us during the auction.”
According to Du Toit, Potberg Dohnes is one of the most prolific Dohne Merino studs in the country and, thanks to the good wool and excellent conformation of their sheep, they attracted buyers from across South Africa.
Most buyers came from the Southern Cape and Overberg, with two rams heading to Kroonstad and another to Calvinia.
Buyers showed particular interest in well-balanced rams with good conformation and quality wool.
“With the wool price moving upwards over the past six months, you could see that buyers were placing more emphasis on the wool factor than in previous years.”
He believes that a further contributing factor to the increase in clients is that Potberg Dohnes was named the regional winner of the Dohne Merino Breeders’ Association’s Top Breeder Competition for the Overberg region in 2025.
A total of 79 rams were offered and sold at an average price of R14 114. Six rams were sold for more than R30 000.
“What made the auction so successful was that we offered 15 more rams than in 2025 and achieved an average price R2 000 higher per ram.”
The auction was held at the Swellendam Showground, with OVK as broker. Jakkie Nel was the auctioneer.
The Potberg Dohne Production Auction is the first sale on the Dohne Merino auction calendar for 2026, and they will again offer 40 rams at the Southern Cape Promotional Auction in Bredasdorp on 30 July 2026.
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