QUALITY Dorper and White Dorper genetics from across Australia will be coming together next month for the breeds’ annual sale.
The 15th National Dorper and White Dorper Sale will be held on September 5 and 6 at Dubbo Showgrounds.
Dorper Sheep Society of Australia executive officer, Lisa Burr, Armidale, said 198 lots had been entered for this year’s sale with relatively similar numbers as previous years being offered.
“Thirty four studs are being represented from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and NSW,” Ms Burr said.
Eighty three registered Dorper rams, 81 registered White Dorper rams, 19 registered White Dorper ewes and 15 registered Dorper ewes will be on offer.
All sheep are classed and viewed on September 5 before being sold September 6.
The sale will be interfaced with AuctionsPlus and both the classing and sale will be live streamed.
Following the classing and viewing, the Dorper Sheep Society of Australia annual general meeting will be held concluding with a pizza social night on the grounds.
The national sale is designed to be a sale of elite Dorpers and White Dorpers.
Ms Burr said it provided an opportunity for breeders to showcase and sell their best animals.
Although international buyers do not usually purchase animals from the sale, the national generates a lot of interest from people worldwide looking at sourcing Dorper and White Dorper genetics.
Last year a large crowd of buyers competed for more than 200 lots on offer with the top price reaching $25,000 for a Dorper ram.
This top price Dorper ram was exhibited by Kaya stud, Narrogin, Western Australia, and sold to Sunnyside stud, Warwick, Queensland.
Kaya stud also offered the top price White Dorper ram that sold for $15,000.
The 2016 top price Dorper ewe sold for $3600 offered by Alurama stud, Glenavon. There was a tie for top price White Dorper ewe with two ewes offered by Castlebar, Boggabri, and Red Rock, Keith, South Australia, selling to $1900 each.
There was a 90 per cent clearance in 2016. Rams averaged $3187 and ewes averaged $1284.
With increased marketing and the launch of breed specific Prime Lamb Dorper branding, it is an exciting time to be a Dorper breeder, Ms Burr said.
The Dorper Sheep Society of Australia is expecting another memorable sale.
Selling agents are Scott Thrift, Elders Dubbo, and John Settree, Landmark Dubbo.