Wattletop’s record female Angus sale on Wednesday, hosted by Ray White Guyra/ Armidale, smashed all expectations averaging $8494 for 260 in calf females sold – a full clearance on the day – grossing nearly $2.2m and topping twice at $38,000.
Lot 23, rising eight year old Wattletop Barunah E295 by Wattletop USA9074 C118 was one of two cows that topped at $38,000 - this one going to Spry's Shorthorn and Angus at Wagga.
It was supposed to be an emotional tribute to a job well done but Lock Rogers shed few tears after stage one of his life’s work dispersed to the four winds.
Wattletop’s record female Angus sale on Wednesday, hosted by Ray White Guyra/ Armidale, smashed all expectations averaging $8494 for 260 in-calf females sold – a full clearance on the day – grossing nearly $2.2m and topping twice at $38,000.
Rising eight year old Wattletop Barunah E295 by Wattletop USA9074 C118 was one of two cows that topped at $38,000 – this one going to Spry's Shorthorn and Angus at Wagga.
The other top price went to rising four year old Wattletop J464 by Wattletop Franklin G188 purchased by Bannaby Angus,Taralga. This stud in partnership with KO Angus, Kangaloon, purchased rising 10 year old Wattletop Barunah C136 paying $16,000, which helps explain the depth and breadth of Lock’s herd.
“These cows match our donor program,” said Bannaby’s Glen Langford, who remarked favourably – as did everyone else – on the good temperament displayed by Wattletop females.
In a fitting tribute to his good mate, Bald Blair’s Sam White bought the first lot –rising three year old Wattletop Usual K45 – for $12,000. The White family gave Lock and Trish Rogers a start in 1983 when the dissolution of the White and Bell Partnership made a portion of the Glenavon herd available to Wattletop. The Glenavon stud was formed in 1949 directly from the Bald Blair Angus stud registered by H.F. White in 1908.
The second lot in Wednesday’s disbursement, Usual K70, went to Shane Adams at East West Angus, Murwillumbah, who was present in a number of bids on the younger cows, eventually buying 10 females along with the likes of Michael Campbell from Wirrabilla at Walcha who purchased 30 cows to $12,000 for rising five year old Wattletop Usual H191.
But Jamie Edmonds, manager of Coolie Angus at Merriwa, lifted the sale at lot 3 paying $30,000 for Wattletop Franklin G188 K72 and again on lot 55 paying $31,000 for Wattletop Usual K107. The Coolie team bought 14 females in total averaging $16,857. “We were privileged to be part of the dispersal and look forward to the genetic benefit,” said Mr Edmonds.
District neighbour Roger Flower, Black Mountain, centre, purchased 21 cows topping at $12,000 for lot 181, Wattletop Barunah H336 by Silveiras M811 Total 6103.
Another district breeder, Nicholas and Karen Morgan, Glen Morgan Angus at Llangothlin, bought 19 cows topping on several occasions at $10,000 for the likes of lot 150 Wattletop J350 by Wattletop Sitz Jackson G10.
Hugh Kraefft, Tivoli Angus at Merriwa, bought six cows topping at $12,000 for lot 156, Wattletop J445 by Wattletop Total 6103 G315.
While the disbursement attracted buyers from Queensland to Victoria it was surprising the number that went down off the escarpment to places that included the Richmond Valley, Clarence, Macleay and Manning.
“I've purchased Wattletop before and they work very well on the coast,” said Mark O’Reilly, Iron Pot Pastoral, Kyogle, who helped Geoff White, Tatham, purchase four females including Wattletop Dandloo G116 by Te Mania Africa A217, for $6000.
Macleay Angus producer Philip Lahey, Gum Scrub, bought 10 cows topping at $9000 for lot 188, Wattletop Dandloo G30, also by Te Mania Africa A217. Other cows were sired by Tuwharetoa Regent D145.
Ray and Nathan Fitzgerald, Wonboyne, Macksville, have left thoroughbred race horses behind in favour of Angus, buying four cows to $11,000 for lot 174 Wattletop Usual H224, again by Te Mania Africa A217.
Auctions Plus assisted with the sale of 36 cows from 134 bidders with 721 on-line bids, and 6015 electronic catalogue views.
Just reward
Lock Rogers commented honestly when he said the sale had meant to be an emotional day. “But I’m not at all sad,” he said. “After that result it’s fantastic.” The fact three of his employees bought cows impressed him greatly. “It’s so satisfying that they approve of the program. It’s funny how you have to hold a dispersal to realise how good your cattle are and people love them and I am so proud of them, but it’s good to get just reward.”