Dry winds and a whole lot of dust flying made it difficult to forget about the tough season currently affecting much of the eastern states, but this didn’t seem to impact the Hazeldean Angus sale at Jackson on Thursday, which pushed to a top of $15,500.
Of the 122 bulls on offer, all but two sold, with the 2018 draft from the Litchfield family, Cooma, NSW, selling for an average of $6630, just short of last year’s average of $7907.
Hazeldean M995 topped the sale when he reached $15,500 and was knocked down to Alister and Joanne McClymont, Burleigh Station, Richmond, who also purchased the top-price bull in 2017.
The two-year-old Hazeldean M995 tipped the scales at 922 kilograms and measured 42 centimetres in scrotal circumference, with an estimated breeding value (EBV) of 133cm for eye muscle area (EMA), an intramuscular fat (IMF) of 6.4, and 19 millimetres of rib fat.
M995 was one of three bulls purchased by the McClymonts, the other two being Hazeldean M260 for $10,000 and Hazeldean M404 for $7000.
The McClymont’s operate a large composite herd of Angus, Charolais, Senepol and Brahman genetics and focus on breeding bulls and cattle for the feeder steer and fat market.
Kevin Graham of Kevin Graham Consulting Pty Ltd was on hand to purchase the McClymont’s bulls and said the bulls would go into a herd of about 60,000 cows.
“Alister and Joanne have been purchasing bulls from Hazeldean for about 10 years now, and they're extremely happy with the cattle,” Mr Graham said.
“They do go into a pretty harsh environment up there in the summer months and these fellas come through with flying colours, so they're very happy return buyers.”
A second-top price of $14,000 was paid for Hazeldean M1061 by Rodglen Pty Ltd, Wyuna, Stanthorpe.
The 2016 spring-drop bull tipped the scales at 978kg and had a scrotal circumference of 42cm, with EBVs of 136cm for EMA, an IMF of 6.5, and 21mm of rib fat.
Simon and Katrina Body, Tarrawonga, Wallumbilla, were the standout volume buyers on the day, putting together a line of eight bulls for an average of $5000.
The sale was dominated by volume buyers with Cockatoo Cattle Company, Cockatoo Station, Wandoan taking home six bulls for an average of $6000, and the McAlister family, Roma Downs, Roma, also purchasing six bulls for an average of $6500.
Ed Willis, Bullamon Plains, Thallon, Kilmorey Cattle Company, Mitchell, Harrow Grazing, Injune, Earle Grazing, Injune, and Scott and Kate Sandow, Arahana, Goondiwindi, each took home five bulls.
Hazeldean principal Jim Litchfield said he was happy with the results of the sale.
“I thought it could have been a lot tougher given the way it's so dry everywhere,” he said.
“Certainly, round here it has been a little less affected than other areas and I think that helped us a little bit, but overall we were very happy.”
The Hazeldean Northern Performance Sale bulls are raised on grass down south before they enter Bellevue Feedlot, owned by Justin and Sherrill Stivano, Roma, and are prepared on grain until sale day.
Mr Litchfield said the dry conditions at their property at Cooma, NSW, had affected the preparation for this year.
“We've had them up here a bit longer than we normally would do because of the dry season, but they've done well,” he said.
“This is our 24th year selling bulls in Queensland and they seem to handle the conditions so we're going to keep on doing it.”
The sale was conducted by Landmark Roma, and Colby Ede was the auctioneer.
