SANTA Gertrudis bulls sold to a top of $13,000 at the 39th annual Northern Santa Gertrudis Breeders Group sale at Tamworth on Tuesday.
Eleven of the 21 bulls offered by eight studs sold in the auction, for a clearance of 52 per cent and average of $4727.
Studs in the sale were Hallcraig Santas, Deepwater, Agvac Santas, Gunnedah, Denngal Santas, Forbes, Burramurra Santas, Moama, Leven Santas, Muswellbrook, Restdown Santas, Rochester, Victoria, and Rosgar Santas, Tenterfield.
The top bull, Denngal Hopper H50, by Waco Xcel from Denngal Flora, was sold to fellow vendor Jock Cuninghame, Hallcraig Santas, "Hallcraig", Deepwater.
The 34-month-old bull offered by Dennis and Greg Moxey weighed 1176 kilograms, had an eye muscle area (EMA) of 139 square centimetres, had a scrotal circumference of 45.5 centimetres, measured 17 millimetres and 13mm for rump and rib fat, and intramuscular fat of 6.1pc.
The bull will be used in Mr Cuninghame's stud herd of 100 breeders.
"He's a pretty complete bull," he said.
"I like his depth, his thickness, his temperament and his carcase attributes, like his EMA."
Denngall Hopper was judged champion bull before the sale, with Restdown 257, the second highest selling bull, judged reserve champion.
Restdown 257, a 23-month-old bull offered by Jacob Ryan, sold for $7500 to John and Kay Brasell, Moree.
By Yarrawonga Oberg from Wave Hill E18, he weighed 780kg, had an EMA of 121 square centimetres, measured 19mm and 10mm on the rump and rib, had a scrotal circumference of 40.5cm and intramuscular fat of 4.6pc.
Queensland commercial producer Scott Dunlop, "Jingeri", Proston, bought 23-month-old bull Rosgar Jester J45 for $5000.
The 190kg bull, by Moongana Bandit from Rosgar Embrace E21, had an EMA of 123 square centimetres, measured 17mm and 9mm for rump and rib fat, and had a scrotal circumference of 40cm.
The sale's volume buyer was repeat client Kempsey Quarter Horses, Kempsey, who purchased three bulls for $3000 each.
A further three bulls sold immediately after the sale.
Also offered were 34 stud heifers from Rosgar Santas.
The heifers sold to a top of $2100 twice and averaged $1530.
The sale was conducted by Landmark Tamworth, with Joel Fleming, Landmark stud stock, taking the bids.