Bidders were spoiled for choice at the Ag-Grow 2016 Premier Multi-breed Beef Bull Sale held in Emerald on Friday with excellent drafts spanning eight breeds presented by the 19 vendors who took part in the sale.
In summary 110 bulls sold for an 87 per cent sale clearance rate to gross $662,500 for an average of $6023/head.
By breed 32 Angus bulls sold for $198,000 for a top of $10,500 to average $6188; seven Red Angus were purchased for 34,000 to peak at $6500 for a $4857 average; seven Murray Grey’s sold for $42,000 topping at $13,000 to average $6000 and one Charolais/Angus-cross made $3500.
A total of 33 Charolais bulls made a combined $217,500 topping at $16,000 to average $6591; 18 Simmental’s grossed $110,500 for a top of $11,000 averaging $6139; A pair of Simbrah’s made $3250 apiece and 10 Charbray’s made $50,500 peaking at $8,500 to average $5050.
Sale coordinator Ken McCaffrey, McCaffrey’s Australian Livestock Marketing said he was happy with the overall sale result and is continually enthused by how much the sale has evolved over the years.
“A total of 104 bulls in the sale were poll this year, which is the biggest poll selection that has ever gone through the ring at the Ag-Grow sale,” Mr McCaffrey said.
“Sale results over the past several years have illustrated that poll genetics are becoming increasingly popular with producers, which was exemplified at the sale,” he said.
“I’d also have to say the run of Charolais bulls for the sale was the best we’ve seen in a long time, which shined through in the results.”
The 26-month-old Charolais herd bull, Moongool K13 (P) (R/F), from vendor Ivan Price, Moongool Charolais, Yuleba, topped the sale, selling to Lawrence and Pat Hack, Rocklea, Alpha for $16,000.
Mr Hack said he was impressed with the bulls overall correctness, temperament, fat scans and cross-breeding potential.
He said he’ll be be using him to put over females at his commercial breeding and fattening operation.
“It was a solid sale and a buyers market; we always pick up one or two good bulls here at Ag-Grow each year,” he said.
“We haven’t missed the sale since its first year and each time the overall quality of bulls on offer seems to improve.”
Mr Price said Moongool K13 has been a standout since he was a calf.
“He’s got a great pedigree on him and a wonderful nature, he one of the best I’ve brought to the Ag-Grow sale,” he said.
Mr Price had a very successful day in the ring, selling five Charolais for an average of $9100.
The top volume vendor at the sale was Darren Hegarty, Carabar Angus, Meandarra, who sold 11 rising two-year-old Angus’ averaging $7320.
Other vendors who experienced successful sale results included: Glen Waldron and Kim Groner, Elite Cattle Co, Meandarra, who sold nine Charolais’ bulls to a top price of $14,500 to average $8170 and David and Lynette Whitechurch, 4 Ways Charolais, Inverell, who sold 10 bulls for $6450.
Doug and Jan Bradshaw, Blue Dog Simmentals, Wandoan, sold nine bulls to average $6945 with their draft topping at $11,000, while Lindsay Ward, Mooroobie Angus, Goondiwindi sold eight bulls to average $5375.
The Dennis Family from Twin Hill Cattle Co, Clermont, put together an impressive draft of 10 bulls comprising four individual breeds which averaged close to $5000 to top the volume buyers list on the day.
Others bidders who took home solid sale drafts included repeat sale buyer Bill Sylvester, Sylvester Pastoral Co, Injune, who purchased an outstanding line of nine Angus bulls at an average of $7110, while the Hartley Family, Kinka, Injune, bought six bulls (two Angus and four Charolais) for $3916.
Ag-Grow Field Days special guest and Queensland rugby league legend Wally Lewis gave those in attendance some inspirational words regarding resilience in the beef industry which he related back to his sporting career before the sale got underway.
He said to always follow a plan you put in place and even if it doesn’t always work and you might face disappointment at times you should never give up.
“Success is never easy, it’s the tough times that get you through,” “King” Wally said.