LOYAL return buyers ensured a healthy top and average for the White Dorper and Dorper ram selection offered by the Edson family at Keith on Friday.
Red Rock hosted the annual on-property sale in conjunction with Edson Livestock with both posting very similar sale results as the dry season showed its impact.
In the breakdown, Red Rock sold 44 of 69 White Dorpers to $2000 for an average of $1104, while Edson Livestock cleared 12 of 18 Dorpers, also to $2000, averaging $1116 – a slight lift of $130 on last year.
Brad and Tanya Edson, Red Rock, presented an even line of rams with good growth rates, structure and temperament, all weighing in over 80 kilograms.
Neil and Helen McDonald, Sherwood, bought the top White Dorper for $2000, the sire of which was the junior champion Dorper at Bendigo in 2015.
Mrs McDonald said it was their first time buying at a Red Rock auction and they weren’t concerned about full shedding, they just liked the size and shape of the 109kg ram – the largest of the White Dorpers on offer.
“We have had Dorpers since about 2010. They just suit our pastures with their ease of management,” she said.
Volume buyers for the Whites included DL&AG Bury, Quorn, with 11 to a top of $1400 twice, averaging $927; Empire Farm Trust, Kingston SE, bought nine averaging $922; and DA&MJ Arbon, Karoonda, finished with five averaging $800.
The Porker family, Marama, were also strong bidders and ended the sale with seven rams - three White Dorpers and four Dorpers - averaging $1257 overall, and including the top Dorper for $2000.
As a return buyer, owner Justin Porker said the large 111kg Dorper was well presented with a long, meaty frame.
Tanya Edson said it was a good sale considering they were down on attendance with a lot of clients reducing stock numbers with the dry conditions.
She said they continually aim to breed White Dorpers with early maturity, and good length, fat cover and depth of hind quarter.
The sale was conducted by Landmark and Elders with Richard Miller and Steven Doecke as auctioneers.