THERE was good mix of local and interstate buyers at the 15th annual Castlebar Dorper and White Dorper ram sale last Thursday in Nyngan.
On offer were 14 Dorpers and 59 White Dorpers which sold to a 90 per cent clearance.
The top-price paid was $2400 for a White Dorper with an average of $1088 and eight Dorpers sold to a $1400 top and average of $937.
The top-priced White Dorper, a 90 kilogram, December 2015-drop, son of Castlebar 150953 was sold to repeat buyers, Michael and Kerry Hetherington, Dirranbandi, Queensland via a phone bid to Peter Hardgraves, Elders Nyngan.
“They had already pre inspected the rams a few weeks ago in Gunnedah,” Mr Hardgraves said.
“They liked the good clean bodied rams, they are good weight for age, with good leg. The great shedding ability will influence their flock for their conditions.”
Volume buyer Mr Tim Prince, “Bindi”, Cobar, purchased a draft of 16 rams of both Dorper and White Dorper. He purchased the top-priced Dorper, an 84kg, August 2015-drop twin by Castlebar 140466.
“We run 3000 ewes in our commercial enterprise. We need about 20 rams a year so with the 16 I purchased here I will get a few more elsewhere,” Mr Prince said. “I liked the last ones I bought at this sale and I liked the price of these ones.”
Vendors Christo and Marietjie Harmse, Castlebar White Dorpers, Gunnedah, were happy with their sale.
“Our White Dorpers sell better than our Dorpers, although it is not the case nationally,” Mr Harmse said.
“At the moment nationally the Dorper sells better. For us, we have a long history with our White Dorpers so they sell well.
“It was good to see a number of buyers from as far as St George, Qld. There were also purchasers from Nyngan, Cobar and out towards Bourke. This was one of our better sales.”
The settling agents were Elders Gunnedah with Brian Kennedy, Elders stud stock Armidale, controlling the bids.
