INVESTING in quality genetics contributed to Hopgood Charolais' most successful bull sale to date at the Clermont Saleyards last week, achieving a record top price of $21,000.
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The Moonie-based Hopgood family who breed Charolais based on Palgrove genetics, offered 36 bulls at their 12th annual sale to record a 100 per cent clearance.
The sale grossed $316,000 to average $8777.
Both new and return buyers were active at the sale, with bidding fierce early in the piece.
The top price of $21,000 came early in the sale, with Hopgood Poppy (P), a 27-month-old son of Palgrove Kingdom, returning to Palgrove Pastoral Co.
Mark Hopgood said Poppy was the best Kingdom son they had bred to date.
He tipped the scales at 926kg, had an eye muscle area of 142 square centimetres and measured a scrotal circumference of 41cm.
The bull had P8 and rib fat depths of 12mm and 10mm respectively, and intramuscular fat of 5.2 per cent.
Mr Hopgood said his raw data figures were impressive and he had very even fat covers.
"Poppy just oozes softness and doing ability, he is polled, positive fat cover, deep ribbed and beautifully put together. He stands over plenty of ground with great loin expression carrying flesh all the way to the hock.
"He's a stud sire in the making from when he was a calf and it was good to see him go to Palgrove."
Palgrove's Ben Noller said Poppy stood out for his sire appeal.
"He is structurally correct and will fit in well with stud duties," Mr Noller said.
A red factor polled bull, Hopgood Proud (P) (R/F) drew the second-top price of $20,000.
He caught the eye of Greg and Jill Peck, Purtora, Blackall, first time buyers at the sale who walked away with four bulls.
Proud, a 25-month-old son of Palgrove Hallmark, weighed 940kg, had an eye muscle area of 144sq cm and scrotal circumference of 39cm.
Two other red factor bulls, Hopgood Productive (P) (R/F) and Hopgood Perfection (R/F), equaled the third-top price of $16,000.
Mr Hopgood said he was thrilled with how the sale went, saying it was their best result yet.
"There was strong interest in the sale, with repeat buyers and lots of new clients as well. We had 30 bidders online through AuctionsPlus, and a strong crowd," he said.
"As a whole everyone was very impressed with the bulls, we had lots of comments that it was the best line we'd ever put up. It was a combination of our genetics getting better and better; we've invested a lot into new sires."
