STRONG demand from restockers helped push prices up by as much as $15 a head at Dubbo’s quarterly goat sale on Tuesday.
About 2500 head were offered at the sale, which was heavily supported by vendors east of Dubbo, from the Mudgee, Dunedoo and Coolah regions.
Queensland buyers were active seeking restockers and kill goats, while processors from as far as Camden and Deniliquin were also represented.
Selling agent Joe Portelli, PT Lord Dakin and Associates, Dubbo, said prices improved as much as $15/head on the previous sale, held in May.
“Boer goats were $10 to $15 better than the last sale and bush goats were $5 to $6 dearer,” he said.
“Sixty per cent of the yarding was bush goats. There were more meat goats yarded than usual.”
He said quality was up, with some well finished pens on offer.
Boer wethers, ranging from six months to two-years-old, sold from $100 to $205 a head and averaged $150 to $160.
Boer does, ranging from six months to six-years-old, sold from $65 to $120/head.
Australian bush bucks averaged $86/head and ranged from $35 to $109/head.
Bush nannies sold from $35 to $86/head, averaging $68.
Harry and Maria Sourelos, Dunedoo, sold 11 bucks for $16o each as well as 19 wethers for
$178/head.
The Smart family, Tullabrook, Trangie, sold six wethers at $190/head and a single buck for $180.
A lack of quality goats available on the private market encouraged buyer Phillip Foxman to attend the Dubbo sale.
Mr Foxman, from Camden, put together a mixed draft of about 320 head, including both breeders and meat goats.
“Boers were expensive but the quality was very good,” he said. “I usually buy privately but haven’t been able to source as many lately.”