It was a family affair with strong support shown from the stands in Gracemere on Monday at the 5th Annual Clay Gully Simmental Bull Sale, where bulls sold to a top of $23,000.
A quality line up of traditional and black Simmentals along with three Simbrah bulls were on offer from the three generations of the Laycock families.
A touching address was given by Sophie Laycock before the sale in memory of a great friend and past vendor of the sale, the late Mervyn Newlands.
Overall the sale saw 49 of 51 offered bulls sell for an average of $6081,with a clearance of 96 per cent.The sale saw a slight decrease in average of $300 from the 2018 sale however clearance increased by 20 per cent leaving vendors smiling at the conclusion of the sale.
Biarra Valley Simmentals stud principals Gareth Laycock and Emily Brassington averaged $7857 for the eight bulls sold.
Darren and Manuela Laycock of Brisbane Valley Simmentals sold 23 head to average $4795.
Rob and Viv Laycock, Clay Gully, Esk averaged $6875 for the 20 bulls sold on the day.
Sale topper Clay Gully National (P) offered by Rob and Viv Laycock reached an impressive $23,000 early in the sale, selling over the phone to B and N Bauer, Arlington, Augathella.
The 930kg 25 month old bull is the first son of Clay Gully Limited Edition (P) and impressed bidders with figures showing a 134sq cm EMA,a 41cm scrotal circumference and also P8 and rib fat measurements of 12 and 10mm.
Second top price for the day was on account of Gareth Laycock and Emily Brassington, Biarra Valley stud with the sale of Biarra Valley Neptune (SC) who sold under the hammer to the Finger family, Hillview, Clermont for $14,000.
"He was definitely the pick of them, with his length, depth and temperament," Scott Finger said.
Scott and Natalie Finger, Hillview are return and repeat buyers for the Clay Gully sale with Mr Finger mentioning they purchased the family's first Simmental bull from the Clay Gully sale in Emerald back in 2007 and have continued to add to their commercial operation each year.
The Finger family run around 1200 breeders at the Clermont-based property where the new Biarra Valley Neptune will be used over Simmental and Brahman heifers.
The Finger family took home two head on the day to average $11,500, with the bulls described as a pigeon pair.
Top price for the Brisbane Valley stud on the day was $7500 which was shared by Brisbane Valley Nightrider (P) selling to the Jones family, Jericho and Brisbane Valley Nugget (SC), bought by Craig Dakin.
D and A Humprey showed strong support for the sale with three bulls heading out west to Jericho, averaging $7833. Echo Hills Grazing, Springsure bought three bulls on the day to average $6000.
Other bulk buyers for the sale included Robert and Kim Borg, Sarina who secured three bulls to average $4000 and also the Draper Family, Childers who took home three head to average $4666.
Bulls found homes in Jericho and surrounds in the west and down to Childers and Bundaberg in the south.
Clay Gully's Viv Laycock said it was great to see the volume buyers turn up and support the sale and also to see new faces in the stands. The family is looking forward to the 2020 sale, with the start of the season kicking off at the Ag-Grow Sale in Emerald.
Selling agent: Elders and SBB
