THE Burrawang Dorper and White Dorper stud has broken its own world record today during its 18th on-farm sale at Ootha, with 137 rams sold for a hefty $6199 average and $27,000 top price.
Establishing a new Australian and world record average for a Dorper stud sale, it surpassed the previous benchmark of $5239 set at the Burrawang March sale.
In the breakdown, 93 Dorper rams reached the $27,000 sale high and averaged $5738, while 44 White Dorper rams hit a $17,400 top, twice, and averaged $7182.
Included in the draft was five ex stud sires which created spirited bidding that pushed prices into the five figure range and resulted in a $20,440 average.
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The $27,000 top-priced ram was Burrawang Dorper 181150 Pistol purchased by Steven and Michael Freckleton of Swamp Dorper stud, Mildura, Vic.
A three-year-old type five stud Dorper ram, he was sired by Burrawang Dorper 170915 6Gun and out of Burrawang Dorper 153449. Weighing 113 kilograms he measured 40 millimetres eye muscle depth (EMD), eye muscle shape (EMS) of three and 7mm of fat.
The purchaser of the top-priced ram received free collection and freezing of 100 straws of the ram purchased, sponsored by Ovatec Pty Ltd, Dubbo. Pistol will go straight to Dubbo with 400 doses expected to be collected.
Two rams sold at the $17,400 top White Dorper price point with both selling to the Cullinan family of Dust N Rain Dorpers, Carstairs Station 20 kilometres south of Pooncarrie.
The first was ex stud sire Burrawang WD 180435 Iron Jack, a 3.5-year-old stud type five ram weighing 99kg which had an EMD of 41mm, EMS of three and fat depth of 6mm. He was by Burrawang WD 151216 Keg.
Burrawang WD 200567 was second of the Cullinan's purchases at $17,400. He was a stud type five 88kg, 14-month-old son of Burrawang WD 190459 Homebrew which presented with an EMD of 34mm, EMS of three and fat depth of 7mm.
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Operating a stud since 2009, the Cullinans have 750 stud White Dorper ewes and 250 stud Dorper ewes, as well as 3500 commercials. They purchased four rams, three whites and one black, for a $14,325 average.
Repeat buyers of several years, Gary and Sharlee Hill of Pomona Hill Pty Ltd, Roo Roo Station and Nulla Nulla Station in the Western Division were the largest volume buyers of the sale.
They took home 20 rams along with 20 litres of Beachport Liquid Minerals Greencap sponsored by Beachport Liquid Minerals.
The Hills started in 2005 with Dorpers and now run 10,000 Dorper ewes. They were looking for consistency and shape.
"The sheep always are consistent and are always improving every year," Mr Hill said.
Burrawang's Malcolm Brady said it was an amazing result, and they are grateful for their clients which are so supportive.
"I can't believe it didn't drop off," he said. "It was strong throughout.
"We aim to build numbers for our March sale to satisfy the market so more people go home with the numbers of rams they want.
"This will be with the consistency and quality we are known for - we want to maintain what we have while we grow.
"We are grateful for our clients - they are so supportive."
A strong repeat customer base was matched with new commercial and stud buyers, according to Burrawang's Graham Pickles who said the sale was excellent.
The sale was conducted by BR and C Agents, Swan Hill, Vic, with Joe O'Reilly as the auctioneer.
- Full report in this week's The Land newspaper.
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