Bald Blair Angus sale hailed best ever

They were the feelings of the White family from Bald Blair Angus stud after achieving their best ever sale result near Guyra on Tuesday.

Stud principal Sam White was just as nervous at the end of the sale as he was at the start after hearing all 63 bulls had sold to average $8905 and top at $24,000, a stud record.

A strong contingent of more than 60 registered bidders filled the on-property complex while AuctionsPlus also played a key role online.

It was supplementary lot 3A, Bald Blair Phoenix P97, who reached the sale high of $24,000 to Damian Gommers, Mandayen Angus, South Australia, with the bidding assistance of Dick Whale from Independent Breeding and Marketing Service.

The 900 kilogram two-year-old bull was labelled by Mr Whale and several other people as one of the best Rennylea L519 sons they had seen on offer so far.

He was out of Bald Blair K100 and sat in the top 10 per cent for 200-day growth, top six per cent for 400-day weight, top six per cent for carcase weight and top seven per cent for intramuscular fat.

Mr Whale said it was his clients first time buying from Bald Blair and they had specifically been chasing a Rennylea L519 son.

It was expected the bull would head for local semen collection to be marketed by AgriGene and would be required for joining at his new home from November 1.

Mr White had intended to retain the bull for himself but due to the withdrawal of their lot three bull decided to offer a top replacement.

"We wanted to offer a bull we thought was better than that bull (withdrawn)," he said.

"...we figured he could have a significant impact in the seedstock industry and that's the reason we put the bull in and it's worked for us we are very wrapped."

The support of repeat Queensland clients had a big impact on the final result with bulk buyers Paul and Wendy Pownall, Pownall Grazing Pty Ltd, Monto, Qld, securing 12 bulls to average $11,083.

The Pownalls join Angus bulls to their Brahman cross cows and sell MSA graded steers.

Having purchased from the sale for about four years, Mr Pownall said the value for money kept them coming back. He had budgeted for a $12,000 average.

High growth, fertility, index figures and carcase information were their key selection criteria.

"Today was the biggest sale they have had but it's big every where," he said.

"We are in tick country. Sam vaccinates for ticks here so that helps us out where other people don't."

Meanwhile JM and BT Murray, Roma, Qld, secured four bulls online to average $7000.

Bulls were also bound for coastal areas of NSW with local support very strong.

Mr White said the offering was their best draft yet and they had kept them tight and consistent to suit the market.

The stud was focused on breeding bulls in a balanced breeding program with an emphasis on growth, carcase, fertility and an ability to breed on, especially replacement heifers. They have also established a very loyal program supplying to Rangers Valley for decades.

"Bull production takes a long long time and I suppose with this draft of bulls things are starting to come together for the future of the program," he said.

"We put a lot of pressure on our cow herd and there is nothing like a drought in there to add pressure and is a consequence of good stock afterwards.

"It is the highest price bull we have ever sold. There are other industry bulls that go higher but for us that was significant."

The sale was conducted by Elders with Paul Dooley as auctioneer.

Read the full report in The Land.