Tri-state bidding drives record sale averages at Melashdan Dorper stud
Melashdan Dorper and White Dorper stud principals Gary and Janice Fiegert celebrated a full clearance and record sale averages across both breeds at their 17th annual on-property ram sale at Tumby Bay on Monday, October 12.
All 115 rams sold under the hammer and through AuctionsPlus to achieve a 100 per cent clearance and an overall average of $3803, with strong, consistent bidding throughout the offering.
The 40 Dorpers sold to a top of $6600 and averaged $5040 - up more than $3000 on last year's average, while the 75 White Dorpers reached $6400 and averaged $3144 - an increase of $515 on last year.
The draft included seven Type 5 and 34 Type 4 rams, classed and typed by Wicus Cronje, who has been classing the stud's sheep since 2017.
The Fiegerts were thrilled with the result, particularly given they had increased the number of rams offered.
"It's the most we've ever offered, and we've achieved the highest averages we've ever had across both the Dorper and White Dorper drafts," Mr Fiegert said.
"The rams have benefited from the excellent season and good paddock feed throughout the year. I think they're the best paddock-raised rams we've presented."
A mix of returning and new buyers from SA pastoral and farming country, as well as interstate, contributed to the result.
Rams headed to Port Lincoln, Cowell, Port Augusta and Orroroo, as well as Wilcannia, Wentworth, Packsaddle, Broken Hill, Balranald and Hay in NSW, and near Sea Lake in Vic.
The sale-topper was lot 25, M250277, purchased by return clients Tim and Christy Luckraft, Ridgeview Dorper and White Dorpers, Orroroo.
Sired by Deepdale 230368, the 120-kilogram Type 4 Dorper ram was the heaviest in the sale catalogue, with Australian Sheep Breeding Values of +12.38 for post-weaning weight and +3.09 for maternal weaning weight.
Mrs Luckraft said the top-price ram stood out for its structure, growth rate, and ability to carry his size well.
"He was a really well-balanced ram for his size, which is pretty hard to find," she said.
"We've bought from Melashdan for some time, and after almost a decade of tough seasons, this good year has given us the opportunity to reinvest in some top genetics."
Running both stud and commercial flocks on their pastoral property, the Luckrafts prioritised conformation, mobility and longevity when selecting rams.
"We need rams that will stand the test of time, with good structure and the ability to walk over large areas," Mrs Luckraft said.
"Being a self-replacing flock, we also need the structural soundness and quality to come through in our ewes."
The Luckrafts purchased a further seven Type 4 and Type 5 Dorper and White Dorper rams for their stud and commercial breeding programs.
The rams will be joined to selected ewes to produce sires for their commercial flock, with plans to sell rams in the future.
The top-price White Dorper was lot 12, M250616, purchased by Yadlamalka Pastoral, Port Augusta.
The Fiegerts had initially intended to retain the 108kg sire prospect, but decided to offer him for sale.
Sired by Burrawang Crackerjack T5 200968, a ram used extensively in the Melashdan stud, he recorded a maternal carcase production index of +147.13.
Yadlamalka Pastoral was a new sale client, having purchased rams privately from Melashdan earlier in the year before attending the on-property sale.
Volume buyers included AC Pastoral, Broughams Gate, NSW, with 14 rams, while McClure Forward Farming, Wilcannia, and Little Para, Wentworth, purchased nine rams each. Ross Allan, Alladawe, Tyrrell Downs, Vic, bought eight rams.
The sale was conducted by BR&C Agents, Mildura, Vic, with David Whittenbury handling the auctioneering duties.
