Relationship between performance measurements and sale price of Dorper rams in the Northern Cape Veld-Ram Club

The sale prices of 1 609 Dorper rams sold between 1990 and 1999 were compar ed with their measured performances. An analysis of variance was carried ou t in order to determine which variables influenced sale price. The most imp ortance factors were classification (stud vs, commercial), auction weight a nd coat type (hair, wool or a mixture). Buyers seem to show a preference fo r animals with hair and a mixture of hair and wool over those with predomin antly woollen coats. Buyers recognise the importance of performance data in the selection of breeding rams.