Full clearance at Etiwanda Dorpers with increased average and larger draft

Significant volume buyers were operating at the Etiwanda White Dorper sale, held at Etiwanda Station, near Cobar, on September 26.

All 118 rams sold to $6500 to average $2756, up from last year.

Mike and Kerry Hetherington, Yilgangandi Pastoral, St George, Queensland, secured the top-priced ram, Etiwanda 249240, for $6500.

Son of Etiwanda Pampas 226712, the August 2024-drop, 84-kilogram, twin ram had Australian Sheep Breeding Values in the top five per cent of the breed at +13.6 post weaning weight, top 10pc at +147.5 maternal carcase production and top 20pc at +2.6 post weaning eye muscle depth and +134 lamb eating quality.

The Hetheringtons also purchased three other rams to average $4625.

Tom McCumstie, TJ Pastoral, Red Plain, Goodooga, paid $5750 for the second top-priced ram, Etiwanda 248991.

Sired by Etiwanda Pampas 226712, the 82-kilogram August 2024 twin ram ranked in the top 5pc for +3.4 PEMD and +142 LEQ, and top 10pc at +150.2 MCP.

They also bought two other rams, Etiwanda 248690 and Etiwanda 249083 for $4000 and $3750, respectively.

Hamilton Agriculture Pty Ltd, Roto, secured Etiwanda 248638 for $5000.

Son of Etiwanda Slick 215177, the 82kg August-2024 triplet ranked in the top 5pc at +10 weaning weight and +16.2 PWWT, and top 10pc at +17.5 adult weight and +3.8 maternal weaning weight.

They also purchased Etiwanda 248872 and Etiwanda 249504 for $3750 each.

A and B Rural Contracting, Tottenham, paid $4750 for Etiwanda Moderator 226691 son, Etiwanda 248714.

The 87kg August 2024 twin ram ranked in the top 5pc at +3.4 PEMD and +159.6 MCP, and top 10pc at +14.4 PWWT and +139.9 LEQ.

They also bought six other rams to average $3071.

Volume buyer, Charlie and Bill Powell, North West Brahman Partnership, Morella, Walgett, secured a draft of 23 rams to $3500 to average $2510.

The first-time buyers have recently shifted from Merinos into Dorpers and were chasing rams with strong survivability traits.

"We wanted rams where what you see on sale day is what you'll get in the paddock," Charlie Powell said.

"Strong feet and legs are important to suit our country, which has a lot of flood plains and ridges, along with good shape and heads."

The family run 4000 Australian White, Dorper and White Dorper ewes across large paddocks, with a focus on turning lambs off quickly.

Bill Powell said while their target market remained largely seasonal, the aim was to finish lambs at their heaviest weight in the shortest time possible.

Looking ahead, the Powells are considering a feedlot system to build drought resilience.

"We were drawn to Dorpers for their quick turn off and fertility," Bill Powell said.

"Being in Cobar, with a similar rainfall, we knew Etiwanda's progeny would hold up well on our country.

"We've bought rams out of softer country before, and they just don't hold up."

McCarten Darms, Yenda, averaged $3050 for 10 rams.

Mt Hope Pastoral, Mt Hope Station, Mt Hope, averaged $2636 for 11 rams.

Nutrien Russell, Cobar, conducted the sale with John Settree and Hamish Adlington as auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.