A HOT dry winter and the falling store market flowed into the bull selling arena in Roma today with prices at the Riverglen Charolais Bull Sale down on last year.
The Sullivan family, Riverglen Pastoral Company, Glenmorgan, with invited vendors, Greg and Kel Kelly, Juandah Grazing, Guluguba, offered 51 bulls at their 32nd annual sale.
Of the 51 lots, 40 bulls sold for a 78 per cent clearance and an overall sale average of $3487.
This time last year seedstock producers and buyers were enjoying a strong winter season resulting in the Sullivan’s “best sale in years” with 100 per cent clearance and a sale average of $5692.
Riverglen stud principal, David Sullivan said this year’s sale wasn’t what they had hoped for after winning with their prime cattle at the Ekka last week.
“It wasn’t the greatest sale but it’s what you would expect with the dry conditions and the sliding cattle prices,” he said.
“It was nice to see some repeat buyers and a few new buyers too.”
It was lot 22, Juandah Lance, on behalf of Greg and Kel Kelly, who topped the sale at $6000 and was purchased by Doug Cameron Livestock Trust, Nive Downs, Charleville.
The 24-month-old bull weighed in at 830 kilograms with P8 and Rib fat scores of 6/4mm, an eye muscle area of 133 sq cm and a scrotal circumference of 37cm.
He was one of four bulls, averaging $4625, purchased by the Doug Cameron Livestock Trust, including the second top priced bull, Riverglen L2045E for $5000.
That price was also reached when Riverglen L2044E sold for $5000 to the Hams family, Cooly, St George, and for Riverglen L2107E, who was purchased by Hartley Grazing, Coopermurra, Mitchell.
Hartley Grazing were the clear volume buyers on the day, taking home eight bulls averaging $3625.
The Hartley family purchased five bulls from the sale last year and were back to buy more to integrate into their heavy Brahman cross cows which they use to breed cattle for the feeder and heavy cattle market.
“We were just after that bit of toughness and softness, an all rounder,” Andrew Hartley said.
“Over our Brahman cows, the Charolais seem to just put a bit of bone, a bit of size (into them). It just makes the Brahmans beef up a little bit.”
Separately, the seven Juandah bulls averaged $3714, down on last year’s average of $7900.
Ms Kelly said with less volume buyers and drier conditions, it had been a tough sale.
“People are a little bit concerned at the moment, the market has taken a bit of a dive and drier conditions which dictates how the bull sales go,” she said.
“The bulls are still good bulls, it’s just the way the markets goes is how the seasons are.
“We had a good season last year out of winter, this season is really ordinary and that reflects in your bull sales.
“We just hope those people do well with the bulls and they come back next year.”
Selling agents: Elders