Return clients dominated the Roma Simmental and Simbrah Sale on Friday, pushing the sale to a top of $22,000.
Of the 72 bulls offered by four vendors, 48 sold for a 66 per cent clearance rate and average of $6187.
It was the first bull to enter the ring, Billa Park Notetaker N141 (P), that attracted top money.
Purchased by Pinegroves Pastoral, Irvingdale, the 23-month-old, homozygous polled Simmental bull tipped the scales at 854 kilograms and measured 42 centimetres in scrotal circumference.
Sired by Billa Park High Impact H186, the bull had an eye muscle area of 138 square centimetres, intramuscular fat of 3.8, and rump and rib fat depths of 9mm and 7mm respectively.
A second top of $12,000 was reached twice, also for bulls sired by Billa Park High Impact H186.
Karagarra Simmentals, Emerald, purchased Billa Park N114 (P), a 24-month-old "good muscling" bull that weighed in at 918kg with a scrotal circumference of 45cm, and boasted an EMA of 143sq cm, IMF of 3.7, rump fat depth of 10mm and rib fat of 8mm.
Franz Pastoral Trust, Manumbar, took home Billa Park Niagara N115 (P), a 24-month-old bull boasting "muscle, power and growth" that tipped the scales at 840kg, with a scrotal circumference of 44cm, EMA of 148sq cm, 3.7 for IMF, rump fat of 10mm and rib fat depth of 7mm.
Several volume buyers dominated the sale, fighting one another on many occasions in a spirited bidding war.
Burnett Enterprises, Bendemeer, Clermont, was the top volume buyer, taking home 10 bulls for a top price of $9000, to average $4650.
Based in the Clermont and Springsure districts, Burnett Enterprises breeds cattle for the live export, local trade, and jap ox markets, and John Burnett said they were buying to replace old bulls in their herd.
"We've got a variety in our herd, we've got three-way rotational cross going as well as bringing in a fourth line with the South Devon and a British cross coming back in for meat quality, so we provide cattle to suitable markets," he said.
"Our breeder numbers have dropped a little over the last two years but we need to get the numbers back up."
The Burnetts are repeat clients of Billa Park, and Mr Burnett said the bulls have "done the job well".
"They hold their condition in our conditions and we've been satisfied with the way they've stood up in the paddock before," he said.
"Putting them over high Brahman content cows to get our hybrid vigor; we're looking for good growth and softness and a good all round finish on the bulls without going extreme."
RH Perrett Partnership, Bungawarra, Rolleston, purchased four bulls for a top of $10,000 and average of $7375, while Echo Hills Grazing, Springsure, also took home four bulls, paying a top price of $9000, to average $6750.
Billa Park stud principal Scott York said it was a pleasing result and they were happy to see so many repeat customers in attendance.
"I didn't come in with too many expectations, but we're very happy with how they all went," Mr York said.
"We had a really good team of bulls and the front end really reflected that."
Mr York said due to the seasonal conditions, the bulls had been on low preparations.
"It's been very expensive but we tried to just feed them a hay-based ration to try and make sure they're going to go out there and survive," Mr York said.
"We have been very mindful that some of these bulls will be jumped off the back of a truck and put into a stick paddock, so we've done the best that we can to prepare them for that situation."
The sale was conducted by Elders and GDL.