NSW stud takes home top dollar at St George Dorper and White Dorper sale

A prominent NSW Dorper and White Dorper stud topped the 17th Annual DSSA Queensland Multi-Vendor Dorper and White Dorper Ram Sale at St George for the second year in a row on Tuesday, July 29.

Justin and Lorroi Kirkby's White Dorper ram from their Amarula Dorper stud, Moree, NSW made an extra $2000 on their top price animal from last year, with the stud also walking away with the top price Dorper ram.

Amarula White 243171 sold for $7000 to Chelmar Pastoral, Nindigully, a substantial improvement from the 2024 top-priced ram, which sold for $5000.

The ram was sired by Amarula White Titan and out of Amarula 211948.

The top price Dorper ram, Amarula 244129, sold for $6200to MJ, NJ and RW Bolan, Mitchell.

He was sired by Amarula Valentini 210070 and was out of Amarula 209099.

Of the 128 animals offered, 93 sold for a clearance rate of 72 per cent, an overall sale average of $2409, and a sale gross of $224,000.

While the clearance was down from the previous year's sale, the average price was up.

The 2024 sale saw 125 of 126 rams and three of six ewes sell for an overall clearance of 96pc, for an average of $2089 and a sale gross of $267,450.

There were no ewes sold at this year's sale as all ewe lots were withdrawn.

There were 54 White Dorpers on offer, of which 49 sold for a clearance rate of 91 per cent and an average of $2269.

Dorper sale numbers were back significantly from 2024, which saw 72 of 73 animals sell.

Of the 74 Dorper rams on offer at the 2025 sale, only 44 sold, a clearance rate of 59 per cent for an average of $2564.

Mr Kirkby was pleased with their results from the day, but noted buyer interest did slow during the second half of the sale.

"We're really excited, because our rams sold really well," Mr Kirkby said.

"The sale was a bit funny at the end, I think the buyers ran out towards the end of the sale, but we were happy and had a really healthy average."

Commenting on what stood out to buyers about his two top-priced rams, Mr Kirkby said their structural correctness set them apart.

"We've really been focusing on the rump length and muscle definition in the back end, and it's something that we hear people say - that Amarula's got a big butt," he said.

"Buyers are noticing that their Dorper carcasses are hanging up better than traditional Dorper carcasses, and it's purely based on that yield."

Mr Kirkby said the higher sale average was reflective of the current buoyant lamb market, as well as the result of a good season.

He also said that as the quality of rams increased each year, so did the sale average.

Elders St George branch manager Georgina Speedy said the sale attracted 20 vendors, both new and returning.

"We had a few more [vendors] over previous years," she said.

"We had a new vendor from down south, so it was good to have new people and obviously our [return] vendors to come back and keep supporting the sale."

Ms Speedy said buyers on the day were chasing overall quality and were willing to spend the money to secure a high-quality ram.

Commenting on Amarula's success at the sale, Ms Speedy praised the stud for their high-quality rams.

"They have a very big name for themselves with genetics, temperament, and the confirmation of their sheep," she said.

"They've presented themselves well and continue to do so each year."

Bulk buyers at the sale included Bough Creek Grazing, who purchased seven head for an average of $2657, and Boxvale Trading, who also purchased seven head for an average of $2486.

• Selling agent: Elders