Dohne Merino sheep production: Progress, Challenges and Prospects

Sheep production is multi-dimensional in utility, promoting global human and economic growth and, most notably, food security (dietary protein source for humans). The Dohne Merino (DM) breed and its unique features, such as adaptation, lambing rate, survival rate, maternal quality, wool traits, and meat quality, have earned international recognition and acceptance as one of the best among sheep breeds. Presently, this dual-purpose breed is in high demand by both major and minor sheep-producing countries by both commercial and smallholder farmers. It can be assumed and projected that by 2030, Dohne merino will have taken a more significant percentage of the genetic composition of all the sheep breeds in the World. This could play a huge role in the national development goal of food security for all by 2030 adopted by South Africa from WHO international development plans. Therefore, this paper aimed to highlight the unique features of Dohne merino and its prospect in South Africa and the World's food security by 2030.