Alumy Creek Angus, Tenterfield recorded a best-ever average of $6250 for 34 of 35 bulls, all rising two year old, topping at $10,000 for Alumy Creek Lookout L069 by Carabar Wheel Wright H215 from Alumy Creek Trilogy C09 during their annual on property sale on Saturday.
In a turnaround season compared to last year, stud owners Colin Keevers and Lisa Martin said they were pleased with the result with progeny sold from Merriwa to Warwick and down to the coast.
Top price buyer Elliott and Natasha McKinnon, Dales, Merriwa, NSW returned for a second year to the annual sale citing beautiful temperament, good carcase figures, low birth weight and growth as the reasons for coming back for more. Keen to make an exit after the sale to monitor the calving of 200 heifers, out of 1000 breeders, the Elliotts said the bulls had do-ability and ease of management that suited their predominantly grass fed operation.
Volume buyers Stephen and Michael Gray, Bonalbo were also repeat buyers, purchasing four bulls to a top of $8500 for Alumy Creek Levi L010 by Carabar Wheel Wright H215. Stephen Gray, an agriculture teacher at Bonalbo High School when not breeding cattle said his new bulls would suit his cross-breeding program – Angus over first cross Santa/Hereford and Brahman/Hereford cows – thanks to their growth and muscling. The Grays run 300 breeders and target the autumn weaner store market.
Brenda and Ian McColl, Rocky Glen, Baraba are starting afresh after selling up at Goondiwindi and were happy with their $7000 purchase of Alumy Creek Edmund L021 by Rennylea Edmund E11, basing their purchase on low birth weight plus growth over 200 and 400 days.
Neil Harvey, Liston via Stanthorpe, bought two heifer bulls to a top of $7500 for Alumy Creek Edmund L004 by Rennylea Edmund E11. Mr Harvey noted his new bull ranked in the top five per cent for low birth weight, scrotal, eye muscle area and domestic dollars index. The two-year-old bull was already proven in the Alumy Creek stud joining with 50 heifers as a yearling.
Kylie and Naasson Jagoe from Southgate via Grafton - very near the birthplace of the Alumy Creek Stud - purchased two bulls topping at $6000 for Alumy Creek Upshot L046 by Exar Upshot 0562B.
Repeat buyers Beth Thompson and Matt Harris, Bonshaw in the Dumaresq Valley bought two bulls for $5500 each.