Rain couldn’t dampen buyer enthusiasm at the fifth annual Bullamakinka Santa Gertrudis bull sale at Westmar on Friday, with strong competition pushing the sale to a top of $57,000.
Of the 57 bulls offered, 49 sold for a 86 per cent clearance rate, and averaged $11,306.
The top price of $57,000 was paid by Sylvia Kirkby, Warenda, Narrabri, for Bullamakinka N54.
Sired by Canowindra Gold Edition 270612, by Bullamakinka J43 BLM13FJ43, the 2016 October-drop polled bull was marketed as one of the stand-out bulls on offer this year.
Tipping the scales at 914 kilograms and with a scrotal measurement of 39.5 centimetres, the bull boasted an eye muscle area of 134cm, intramuscular fat of 5mm, and P8 and rib fat depths of 15mm each.
Mrs Kirkby said she was drawn to Bullamakinka N54 in the catalogue and wasn’t disappointed when she saw him in the flesh.
“I though he was a beautiful bull,” she said.
“He’s got beautiful skin, he’s got good character, and he’s a very hard bull.
“He’ll go in with a mob of cows as soon as he arrives home, so he’s got a little shock coming to him because it’s very dry, but maybe we’ll get under rain if we get lucky.”
The Baker family of Wandoan paid the second-top price of $36,000 for Bullamakinka N296.
Of Canowindra Gold Edition and Warenda Sentry bloodlines, the 2016 October-drop polled bull weighed in at 944kg and had a scrotal circumference of 43cm, with an EMA of 131cm, IMF of 4.9, and P8 and rib fat depths of 15 and 14mm respectively.
Andrew Bassingthwaighte, Yarranwonga Cattle Co, Wallumbilla, paid the third-top price of $33,000, taking home Bullamakinka N74.
While most buyers only took home one or two bulls, Malcolm Brown, Maranthona, Longreach, dominated the sale, purchasing 17 bulls for a top price of $10,500 and average of $8352.
Bullamakinka stud principal Craig Hindle said he was ecstatic with the result considering the difficult season.
“We’ve had a pretty ordinary season, so just getting the bulls prepared was tough,” he said
“They really haven’t been fed, they’ve just been picking on oats and eating a little bit of silage and not eating much, but they’re not overdone; they’re in good order we feel.”
Despite the tough preparation, Mr Hindle said he was happy with the quality and presentation this year.
“We didn’t keep any bulls this year. We put them all up,” he said.
As for the top-priced bull, Bullamakinka N54, Mr Hindle said it was one of the better bulls they’d ever bred.
“The only reason I sold him is that I’ve got two other Gold Edition Sentry sires that are the same bloodline as this fella,” he said.
“I think he’s a beautiful bull, with good skin type and everything else you could want.
“I just like his head for the breed character, good sheath, and just a really good bull.”