White Dorper rams to $975 at Tara

But, the overriding factor was the drought according to sale chairperson Andrea Weiss who said the prevailing dry conditions had a major impact on the sale.

“We appreciated the buyers who operated and bought sheep at value-for-money prices,” Andrea said.

Guest auctioneer Allan Leech sold 10 Dorper rams for a $548 average and 26 White Dorper rams for a $596 average representing a 46 per cent clearance at the sixth annual, multi-vendor sale.

Demand for the Dorper ewes was strong with 14 ewes sold for a $434 average and five White Dorper ewes averaged $405.

Commercial lamb producers provided the bulk of the competition and mostly wanted White Dorper rams to go over Merino ewes, although the Dorper ewes met with good demand reflected by their 88 percent clearance rate.

Repeat buyers Paul, Melissa, Sam and Mitchell Southern, Lyolia, St George, bought 11 White Dorper rams for a $677 average which included the $975 top-priced ram from Louwrens, Emma and Francois Smit, Smit Dorpers, Boondarra, Roma.

The Southern family also bought seven Dorper ewes for a $382 average which was for Sam and Mitchell’s fledgling Dorper stud.

The other dominant buyer was first time operator Lex Jukes, Tregoning, Morven who bought seven rams for a $532 average.

Mr Jukes said he selected young, White Dorper rams with meat and frame to go over his Merino ewes running on his lighter Mulga country. He was looking forward to higher lambing percentages and no shearing.

The Smit family of Smit Dorpers also sold the $625 top-priced Dorper ewe which was bought by Troy and Sally Mayes, Chilgerrie Hill, Wandoan.

Mr Mayes said he liked her outstanding ram lamb and intends to ‘breed a few rams’ for his own use.