THE announcement late last year for the dispersal of the Terraweena Dorper and White Dorper Stud, based in Warialda, NSW, caused surprise and speculation among Dorper circles, both nationally and internationally.
The highly acclaimed stud announced that the dispersal would be a staged process, firstly by tender for sections of the stud, followed by an auction for stock which fell short of expectations and were not purchased by tender. A further sale of 2011 lambs is to be held later in the year.
Landmark Australia fielded inquiries from both national and international breeders who were eager to secure their share of this unique offering.
With tenders closing on January 16, the level of interest and genuine bids proved the success of the tender process.
Owners Geof and Celia Burnett-Smith and family were delighted with the manner in which breeders embraced the opportunity and tendered whole heartedly.
The strong level of overseas interest was abundantly evident by the successful bids of Dr Carlos Raul Consonni, from his farm, Fazenda Bonfim, in Bonfim Paulista, Sao Paulo. Dr Consonni's agent and genetic technician, Leonardo De Barros Fernandes, flew to Australia to submit his offers.
Dr Consonni's tender for six elite White Dorper sheep for a grand total of A$78,000 unquestionably set the pace. The consignment consisted of two rams totalling $57,000 ? the 2008 national champion ram, Terraweena 7091 Stefaans, and the 2010 and 2011 national champion ram and supreme exhibit, Terraweena 9239 Loftus. The purchase of Terraweena Loftus set an Australian record of $45,000.
This twice-decorated ram was well-known throughout the Australian Dorper industry, becoming the first ram to win the prestigious titles back to back. He had also caught the eye of a number of overseas delegates prior to the announcement of the dispersal.
Confirmation that Terraweena Loftus was to be included prompted the overseas visitors to journey to Warialda. An initial Australian record was achieved at the on-farm sale in October 2011 with sales of Loftus semen attracting $170 per straw.
"We felt this was a fantastic endorsement of our stud which makes us very proud," Angus Burnett-Smith said.
Dr Consonni also successfully tendered for four of Terraweena's most sought-after ewes for $21,000, which included two national champions.
The 2011 national champion ewe, Terraweena 8224, sold for $7000, the highest price paid for a dorper female in Australia.
The shipment of six animals has already entered quarantine and is expected to leave for Brazil in the coming months.
Through the tender process 74 ewes sold for an average of over $1700 which bodes well for stage two of the dispersal which is to be an 'on farm sale' at Gravesend on the 8th of February. Stage three, to be held in September 2012, is expected to be conducted at the stud's property in Toowoomba.
"Although this is a painful process for us, I suppose the silver lining of our dispersal is the confidence that our genetics will continue to make their mark through other breeders" Mr Burnett-Smith said. "Setting these records is a terrific feather in our caps and there are still plenty of fantastic animals left. Our hope is that breeders big and small will extract a benefit throughout the three stage process."
"The Terraweena stud is being dispersed for personal reasons and not due to any lack of confidence in the Dorper and White Dorper industry whose future has never looked brighter" Angus added.
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