Dust'n Rain Dorpers defies the tough season with full clearance, good support
Dust'n Rain Dorpers recorded a solid result at its sixth annual on-property ram sale, held at Carstairs Station near Pooncarie on October 13.
All 109 rams sold to an $11,500 top to average $4183. In the breakdown, the 61 White Dorpers averaged $4524 and the 48 Dorper rams averaged $3746.
The top-priced ram, Dust'n Rain 24-0146, was an April-2024 drop White Dorper by the record setting Burrawang Trump 191472.
The type three weighed 87 kilograms and scanned 44 millimetres eye muscle depth and 4.5mm fat.
He sold to return buyer John Palmer, Mount Manara, Ivanhoe.
Underbidder on the top ram, and putting a substantial floor in the market, was Jeff Johnstone, Willeila Station, between Broken Hill and Menindee.
Mr Johnstone selected a draft of 13 to average $5882, and said he couldn't be happier with the quality of the rams.
His operation runs 3000 ewes and joins twice a year to average 150 per cent at lamb marking.
He first bought at Dust'n Rain in 2021 and in the last couple of years had targeted the top end of the draft.
Mr Johnstone's top pick this year was the type five White Dorper, Dust'n Rain 24-0194, at $9600. Another son of Burrawang Trump, the 72.5kg ram scanned 43mm EMD and 6mm fat.
"I used to sell my lambs at that 10 to 11 months to get the best value out of them - I'm now able to sell my lambs at six months," he said.
"You're actually then looking after your country, looking after your breeding ewes, because you haven't got them lambs eating on your place for an extra six months.
"I'm actually making better money off the younger sheep."
He said the Cullinan family's passion and the quality of their sheep was a real attraction.
Wade and Terri Griffiths, Spring Hill Station, Pooncarie, bought the top-priced Dorper ram for $7000.
Dust'n Rain Windstorm 24-0409, 87kg, was a type four by Burrawang Urban Cowboy 220296. The twin-born ram scanned 46mm EMD and 5mm fat.
The couple favoured the ram's masculine head, strong frames, and length of body.
They noted the quality of the draft and said it was exciting to see the Cullinan family's hard work paying off.
All up, they selected 13 rams to average $4646.
Gary Cullinan, Dust'n Rain, said the full clearance and average was a strong result, particularly as the dry season meant many of the stud's usual clients were not present.
He said there was good return support with 18 registered bidders. The first 50 lots were strong, averaging $5200, but Mr Cullinan said prices did drop for the last 30 lots.
The sale was conducted by BR and C agents. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
