High-indexing rams were in demand at the Bellevue Dorper online sale February 9, Millmerran, with a White Dorper achieving the top price of $3400.
Bellevue 220497 was purchased by interstate buyer KWD Jenkins and Sons Pty Ltd, Nowa Nowa, Victoria.
The March-2022 drop had a post-weaning fat (PFAT) figure of +0.1, placing him in the top 10 per cent of the breed.
He was also in the top 10pc for his maternal carcase production index (MCP).
The same purchaser also secured the top-priced Dorper, Bellevue 220874, for $2200.
He ranked in the top 10pc for PFAT and top 30pc of post-weaning eye muscle depth.
There were several volume buyer active.
TARM and TS Larkin, South Plains, Cunnamulla, purchased 10 White Dorper rams to average $1200.
Mark Mason, Cunnamulla, purchased nine rams to average $1600, including the second top-priced ram of the sale, Bellevue 221174, for $3000.
The White Dorper ram ranked in the top 10pc for MCP.
Another interstate buyer, P Wallis, Tottenham, purchased 20 Dorper rams after the sale to average $1200.
All up, 49 of 98 sold to average $1408, with 23 rams sold post auction.
Bellevue stud principal, David Curtis said they only select and use above average 'Maternal Carcass Production Index' (MCP) rams in their stud flock.
"Understanding the relationship between growth traits, eye muscle depth and body fat is critical in producing an ideal carcass lamb that is high yielding," Mr Curtis said.
Return buyers Alison and Nathan Lister, Pittsworth, operate a mixed enterprise, supplying Dorper lambs into the domestic market.
"They love the versatility of the Dorper, its ability to meet different market specifications desired by butchers, from light through to heavy trade lambs," Mr Curtis said.
"They are regularly getting valuable feedback from butchers and processors in regard to carcass quality, yield and style of the lamb they are producing and are continually striving to improve their flock through genetic selection."
"When selecting rams, the Lister's visually want excellent carcass attributes, rams that look like what you want to see hanging up on the hook.
"They also use data when selecting their rams, particularly looking at the EBV's for EMD and FAT."
Mr Curtis said it was pleasing to see their carefully selected rams heading out to work for their commercial customers in their prime lamb enterprises.
"We put a lot of effort into our breeding program and to be able to provide such quality and functional rams for the prime lamb industry, at a price that is within the reach of producers, is very pleasing," he said.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Toowoomba, with AuctionsPlus providing the online interface.
