Working dogs with an ability to think on their own sold to a top of $25,500 at Glencoe on Saturday, where the 10th annual RMA Network working stock dog auction hosted by Colin Say and Co and broadcast by AuctionsPlus, realised a $7598 average for 33 of 39 dogs offered, with those passed in sold by day's end.
With midday temperatures hovering just above 10 degrees and wind in the squalls gusting beyond 65km/hr, conditions weren't conducive to those who came to see the auction for themselves with only half a dozen winning bids from those in the stands.
Weather cleared a bit and the sun poked out for the sale of auction topper Eaglehawk Lucy, owned by Jeremy Grills of Armidale and bred by his fiancee Annie Vivers, Kings Plains.
Spurred on by keen bidders from South Australia, and Western Australia, the rising four year old all-rounder with current sheep experience went to Victoria in the end.
There had been much talk about the bitch from Peterson parents and drone footage showing off her ability to convince a flock of sheep to move out of a steep gully certainly helped sell her talents.
"She was a natural pup. I certainly enjoyed working with her," said Mr Grills who currently manages a sheep property but plans on going to cattle as a married man.
Mr Grills also sold a New Zealand Huntaway/Ehsman's Kelpie kelpie yard dog, 20 months, for $17,250.
Long-time supporter of the RMA sale, Tony Overton, Gwyder Kelpies Walcha, sold two year old Gwyder Chelsea for $19,000 to a record personal high and nearly twice the value of his top price at this sale last year. The all-round yard and paddock bitch, a black and tan kelpie, is by Wyanbah Tiger from Gwyder Georgina.
"There are a whole heap of people that need to be thanked for the way they handled dog genetics, and how they have assisted with the transfer of knowledge," said Mr Overton.
"People are paying this sort of money for a dog because they know there is a labour shortage. A $10,000 dog will work for you over five years. That's $40 a week. Sure there are vet and feed costs but you get a mate.
"Drones for mustering have their uses but you still need to drive it whereas my dogs work on their own. More importantly the breeding and genetics of a working dog allows them to read livestock and that creates co-operation. A good dog knows when to take the pressure off. That when it really counts. That des-stressing leads to gains in beef production."
Robbie Bloch, Inverell, sold the genuine station dog Joe, a Black Barb, just one year old as an all-rounder - and silent - for $10,500 staying local.
Stuart Williamson, Armidale, sold Yippee Boss II for $10,000 going north of the border to Dirranbandi, Qld.
Queensland breeders like state open working dog champion and Australian runner-up Jamie Sturrock, Dulacca Qld, sold the 10 month old border collie bitch Craiglea Floss for $10,000.
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