Cam and Fiona Russell’s new son-in-law, Iain Adams cemented the relationship between the two families with his purchase of the top-priced bull at the Swan Hill Santa Gertrudis sale on Monday.
Iain outlaid $10,000 for Swan Hill Wentworth, a classified poll 20-month-old bull weighing 730kg and an eye muscle area of 120 square cm.
He was sired by Warrillee F34 and Iain said his father Ashley Adams often used the same genetics in his program.
“He’s a good square bull, which we’ll put in with 240 replacement Santa cross heifers,” Iain said.
He also purchased Swan Hill R4942, a poll herd bull sired by Warrillee, for $6000.
Earlier in the day, 120 of his Darracourt heavy feeder steers topped the special Santa and Santa-infused sale, reaching 356c/kg or $1758.
Held in the Blackall sale ring for the second year, dry conditions early in the season saw 33 bulls offered, but 100 per cent clearance recorded for a sale average of $6273.
Stud principal Alexa Russell said rain beginning in June had boosted both the condition of their bulls and the confidence of buyers, which brought their average up on sales conducted over the last couple of years.
Daandine Pastoral Co, Gwambegwine, Taroom purchased the second top priced bull, Swan Hill Viral for $8500, while David Hay, Kismet, Jericho, Robbie and Emma Hay, Myross, Aramac, Bob Murphy, Everton, Aramac, Allan Parker, Clare Station, Jericho each outlaid $8000 for a bull.
Stewart Weir from Sandover Pastoral Co, Alice Springs, purchased nine bulls.
The stud is looking forward to returning to an on-property sale next year to celebrate their 50th year.