A large buying contingent turned out for the Merawah Poll Hereford sale on Tuesday, with strong interest pushing the sale to a top of $20,000.
All 52 of the bulls on offer were sold, averaging $9000.
Marg Lucas, Ashmore Farms, Winslow, Victoria, took home the top-priced bull, Lot 6, Merawah Maranoa M075.
The 2016 winter-drop bull tipped the scales at 926 kilograms and measured 40 centimeters in scrotal circumference, with an estimated breeding value (EBV) of +2.9 for eye muscle area (EMA), +73 for carcase and +0.1 for intramuscular fat (IMF).
The second-top priced bull, Merawah Twentytwelve M097, was also purchased by Ashmore Farms for $17,000.
The 2016 spring-drop bull weighed in at 892kg and measured 40cm in scrotal circumference, with an EBV of +7.2 for EMA, +72 for carcase and +0.6 for IMF.
Ms Lucas is a repeat client of Merawah and said the bulls were ideally suited to the breeding program at Ashmore Farms.
“We’re producing grass-fed beef, and two-year-old bulls, and the cattle we’ve been selecting from Merawah do a great job with that,” she said.
“The Merawah bulls have a lovely temperament, they’re good-doing stock and I also use them to breed the bulls for our commercial herd.”
Ms Lucas said the top-priced bull would be used over Ashmore’s stud cattle to breed more bulls and females.
“I liked his style and his figures were good,” she said.
“I picked him on the page before I even saw him and when I saw him, he lived up to what I was hoping for.”
Two volume buyers dominated the sale, with Mt Riddock Pastoral Company from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory purchasing 10 bulls for a top price of $12,000 and average of $8900.
The McDonald Family Trust, Moonagulla, Condobolin, NSW took home five bulls for a top price of $14,000, to average $10,000.
Merawah Poll Herefords stud principal Andrew Mackay said he was happy with the results of the sale.
“In a tough season like this it’s probably even a little bit unexpected,” he said.
“Buyers were chasing muscle and thickness from cattle that have got a reputation for doing well in the dry and they bought accordingly.”
Mr Mackay said he was really pleased with the presentation of the bulls.
“They came up really well and they’re a real even bunch,” he said.
“If you talk to the buyers, their cattle are hanging on well and they haven't had to do much to them yet, and I think that doability in a hard season is what’s selling cattle this year.
“The bulls weren’t over-presented, just in good condition and ready to go to work, and that’s what buyers are chasing these days.”
The sale was conducted by Elders Goondiwindi, with auctioneer Paul Dooley, Tamworth, taking the bids.