TOUGH seasonal conditions throughout western Queensland where the Hegarty family sells the majority of their bulls restricted demand at their annual on-property fixture yesterday.
The lack of traditional buyers meant only 23 bulls out of 73 found new homes and sold to a top of $7000 for a $4587 average.
Carabar co-principal Darren Hegarty said traditionally they sell around 90 percent of their bulls to western Queensland clients and they are doing it tough at the moment.
Those regular buyers who attended found excellent value in the offering which included long-term clients Brian and Doug Cameron, Doug Cameron Livestock Trust, Nive Downs, Augathella who outlaid the top money for Carabar Bollon Direction N81, a quality son of Carabar Bollon Direction W109 with excellent growth and carcase figures.
Doug Cameron said his family had been buying Carabar bulls for 14 years and has found they perform exceptionally well in his operation. They bought four bulls for a 4750 average.
"These bulls tick all the boxes on our benchmark in terms of muscle, growth, intramuscular fat and scrotal circumference and we focus heavily on 400 day growth and high IMF percentages," said Mr Cameron.
He said the bulls will go over deregistered stud Brahman females with the resulting F1s going back to Charolais bulls with the steer portion bound for the heavy feed on market.
Another return buyer was Brian Lahey, Alicedale, Goondiwindi who bought three bulls at $4000 for his pure Angus commercial operation and selected moderate framed bulls with above average EBVs and with high IMF percentage figures and solid 400 and 600 day growth data.
Local GDL agent Glen Waldron bought three bulls for a $4333 average on behalf of James Coggan, Wongle Farming Company, Meandarra and selected thick, functional bulls for their Angus cows.
Exclusive marketing agent was Elders Meandarra and branches.
