Western buyer secures more than a quarter of Annalara White Dorper rams
Western NSW and Queensland buyers were the bidders to beat at the 19th annual Annalara White and Ultra White Dorper sale, held on property, near Dubbo, on Wednesday, February 19.
Annalara sold 82 of 83 White Dorper rams to a top price of $5000, four times, to average $2695.
Of the 23 Ultra White Dorper rams offered, 13 sold to a top price of $3000, to average $1884.
All up, 95 of 106 rams sold to average $2584.
The first of four White Dorper sale toppers, Annalara 230152, sold to Abarue Pty Ltd, Dirranbandi, Qld.
Son of D200403, the single March 2023-drop ram weighed 109 kilograms with Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) in the top 10 per cent of the breed for a carcase eye muscle depth (CEMD) of +2.73.
He also placed in the top 50pc of the breed for +0.28 post weaning fat (PFAT), +2.44 post weaning eye muscle depth (PEMD), +3.22 carcase weight (CWT), +0.92 carcase fat depth (CFAT) and +140.36 maternal carcase production (MCP).
The same buyer also secured a second $5000 ram, Annalara 230442.
Sired by ET215351, the 81kg twin October 2023 drop ram ranked in the top 20pc of the breed for ASBVs of +0.9 PEMD.
He also had a CWT of +3.23, placing him in the top 50pc of the breed.
In total, Abarue Pty Ltd purchased seven rams to average $3614.
The third sale topper, Annalara 230390, was knocked down to Tom McCumstie, Red Plain, Goodooga.
Son of AM201521, the twin October 2023-drop ram weighed 86.5kg and ranked in the top 20pc of the breed for an ASBVs of +4.24 CWT.
The ram also placed in the top 50pc of the breed for +1.62 CEMD, +139.06 MCP, +8.19 weaning weight, and +12.63 post weaning weight.
Mr McCumstie purchased four other rams to average $4000.
He has used Annalara genetics in his 3000 head White Dorper ewe flock since 2011. He runs a set joining period for lambing three times in two years.
"I want good doers with plenty of fat, muscle and growth," Mr McCumstie said.
"I don't choose the rams on anything specific, I want them to be good [all-rounders]."
Volume buyers Emma and Ben Laird, Mount View, Hillston, secured 30 rams to average $2433.
This included the fourth $5000 sale topper, Annalara 230163. The 94kg single July 2023 drop ram was sired by 200265.
The Laird family run a self-replacing White Dorper operation with 9000 ewes and have purchased from Annalara since 2007.
"We mainly go after eye muscle depth, but ideally we want a good all-round correct ram," Mr Laird said.
"I don't want them to be too big, I like average sized rams, as we've got bigger paddocks."
The Laird's draft will be joined in mid April for a month.
AJ and EM Cosgrove, Warren, purchased the top-priced Ultra White Dorper ram, Annalara UW230508, for $3000.
Son of UW197081, the twin October 2023-drop ram weighed 89kg and ranked in the top 20pc of the breed for an ASBVs of +0.77 PFAT and +2.26 PEMD.
He also placed in the top 50pc of the breed for +0.92 CFAT, +2.29 CEMD, and +135.68 MCP.
The Cosgrove family bought three other rams to average $2375.
Annalara stud principal Steve Cresswell said he was pleased with the sale's result and was grateful for the strong support of long-term clients.
Lower Plains Pastoral Co, Lower Plains, St George, Qld, secured six rams to $3500, four times, to average $3250.
JE and HM Bryant, Mungallala, Qld, purchased eight rams to $3000, twice, to average $2500.
Kristine Beattie, Five Ways, bought nine rams to $3000 to average $2166.
The sale was conducted by Elders with Martin Simmons, Dubbo, as auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
