In a result that stud principals Chris and Elisa Fox described as 'unbelievable', the Cooinda Santa Gertrudis bull sale at Proston on Monday achieved an overall average of $12,914 - more than $3000 up on the 2020 result.
Topping at $25,000, a $14,513 average for the 37 stud bulls was even more impressive, while the 10 herd bulls topped at $10,000 for an average of $7000.
It was Cooinda Real McCoy R804 that outshone his penmates and snagged the attention of several bidders.
Attracting an opening bid of $15,000, the price tag steadily rose before the Allen family, Forest Park Santa Gertrudis, Alice Downs, Blackall, finally landed the 23-month-old.
Sired by Cooinda Longtime L636 (P) and out of Cooinda M197, the long, clean-coated sire prospect tipped the scales at 856 kilograms, scanned 137 square centimetres for eye muscle area, 14mm and 12mm, respectively, for P8 and rib fat, and 5.5 per cent for intramuscular fat.
With a scrotal circumference of 41.5cm, he boasted morphology of 77pc.
Purchaser Liz Allen said they were looking forward to getting Real McCoy home to Blackall.
"I think he'll fit in nicely with the type of female we're trying to breed back at home; just beautiful softness, good length about him, he had a very, very tidy sheath, slick coat, and so beautiful and quiet," Ms Allen said.
"I think he should go nicely over one paddock of maiden heifers, and it's just nice to get a new bloodline in too; we're always on the lookout for some new blood to put into the herd, so looking forward to getting him home."
Ben and Amanda Adams, Dangarfield Cattle Co, Taroom, were also on the hunt for new bloodlines for their stud, and returned this year to pay the second-top price once again.
It was Cooinda Ray Hadley R964 that talked them out of $23,000.
Sired by Cooinda Not My Sandwich N644 (P) and out of Cooinda J173 (P), the 21-month-old weighed in at 808kg.
Scanning 135sq cm for EMA, the sire prospect had P8 and rib fat depths of 13mm and 11mm respectively, IMF percentage of 5.4, and measured 38cm in the scrotum, with 80pc morphology.
"We're on the lookout for fresh blood all the time, and we liked the power of the bull, not being overdone and ability to finish off and put down a bit of body condition," Mr Adams said.
"He'll be thrown into the mob with half a dozen new bulls this year."
Commercial producers weren't afraid to open their cheque books either, with Peter and Sue Joliffe, Walhollow, Amby, putting together a draft of four bulls for an average of $12,000.
Golden Pastoral Holdings, Taroom, also selected four for an average of $10,750, while the Hatton family, Goomeri, took three for an average of $11,000, and WAK Pastoral, Eidsvold, also selected three to average $5333.
Overall, the sale attracted 45 bid cards on-property and the entire draft of 47 bulls was cleared.
Stud principal Chris Fox said they were blown away by the result.
"It really shows there is some faith in the cattle industry with the way it's going at the moment, and we really, really appreciate the support," he said.
- Selling agents: TopX and Nutrien Livestock; simulcast by Elite Livestock Auctions.
