Raining bids: Last-minute showers turn the tide at Charleville Dorper sale

Rain was the topic of the day at the annual Charleville Dorper and White Dorper sale on Tuesday, March 25, with rainfall coming as both a blessing and a curse to vendors and buyers alike.

With Charleville having received 110 millimetres since Saturday, it was a wet trip in for those who were able to make it on ground, and an online auction for those who weren't.

This year's sale saw 95 of 111 animals sell, for a clearance rate of 86 per cent, a sale average of $1817, and an overall gross of $190,800.

In comparison, 2024 saw 111 of 116 rams sell (96pc clearance), for an average of $1679, and a gross of $194,900.

Justin and Lorroi Kirkby of Amarula Dorpers, Moree, NSW, sold the top-priced ram of the day, Amarula 243032, for $4800 to Jeff Betts, Chelmer, Nindigully.

The 78kg ram, born May 25, 2024, was sired by Amarula Copper 211845 over Amarula 222320, and had a 10-out-of-10 ClassiMate score.

Bulk buyers included Charleville-based Tickell Family Trust, who purchased 13 rams for an average of $1585, and St George-based BRF Southern, who purchased 12 head for an average of $1533.

Nutrien Charleville selling agent Gus Foott said the rain attracted bidders who were only a week previously sidelined by drought.

"I was buying on behalf of a client at Cunnamulla, and as of last week they weren't going to come because it was too dry," Mr Foott said.

"This week, they've had 70mm so they were able to buy."

The drawback of the heavy showers around the area was that several buyers were unable to attend the sale in-person, but with lots offered through Auctions Plus, Mr Foote said it was still a successful sale.

"It was a good sale considering the rain and that some people couldn't get in," Mr Foote said.

"The rams were very good, and there was enough there to suit everyone, so at the end of the day, it was a good sale."

Vendors Justin and Lorroi Kirby topped the sale for a third year in a row.

Amarula 243032 was hotly contested amongst buyers, which Ms Kirkby said was a testament to his quality.

"He was a pretty outstanding ram, he was probably the best of our draft," she said.

"He's got a beautiful length, width, depth, as well as a beautiful soft cover and he probably is a full-shedding, sleek ram.

"A lot of people want that softness in the ewes they are breeding as well."

Ms Kirkby said Tuesday's sale was a great result for the stud.

"It was a great result considering the rain and the incoming 100mm," she said.

"I think [the rain] kept a few people away, but we're very, very pleased regardless.

"We've been coming to this sale for five or six years now, and we've been through all the seasons.

"It's usually the drought that causes us the dramas, so we're very pleased there's going to be a lot of rain."

• Selling agent: Nutrien