BIDDING reached a top of $16,000 at the fourth annual Benelkay Santa Gertrudis bull sale at "Glenmore", Mullaley on Wednesday.
All 39 bulls sold for an average of $7333, with bulls going to buyers in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
There was strong interest from commercial and stud clients. Studs purchased the top four bulls in the sale.
The top bull, Benelkay Jawdropper J142, sold to first-time buyers Chris and Elisa Fox, Cooinda Santas, Proston, Queensland.
The 23-month-old bull, by Dangarfield Upkeep U027 from Benelkay E43, weighed 777 kilograms, had an eye muscle area (EMA) of 118 square centimetres, had a scrotal circumference of 47 centimetres, measured 10 millimetres and 7mm for rump and rib fat and had intramuscular fat of 4.8 per cent.
Mr Fox said the Jaw Dropper's dark tropical coat was his best feature.
He'll be used in the stud herd of 400 breeders.
"Being in tick country we need to select for coat type," he said.
"He ticked all the boxes for carcase attributes and he's got good length and body."
Robert, Ben and Amanda Adams, Dangarfield Santas, "Kingswood", Taroom, purchased Benelkay Judge, a 30-month-old bull by Benelkay Kluger from Benelkay Fallacy, for $14,000.
Weighing 886kg, he had a scrotal circumference of 40cm, an EMA of 123 square centimetres, 12mm and 8mm on the rump and rib, and intramuscular fat of 4.6pc.
Benelkay Jumbo Jim J002 sold to Baillieu and Sarah Myer, Yulgibar Santas, Baryulgil via Grafton, for $13,000.
The 30-month old bull, by Sujo First Class from Benelkay Jewel, was the heaviest bull in the catalogue, weighing 1026kg.
He had a scrotal circumference of 43cm, an EMA of 131 square centimetres, intramuscular fat of 4.7pc and 18mm and 12mm for rump and rib fat.
William and Jenny Crowe, Nungar Plains Santas, "Bridlesdale", Cooma, bought Benelkay Junior J024 for $12,000.
The 921kg, 30-month-old bull, by Benelkay Kluger from Benelkay 1467, had an EMA of 118 square centimetres, measured 45cm in scrotal circumference, measured 10mm and 8mm on the rump and rib, and intramuscular fat of 4.2pc.
The volume buyers were Alick, Noreen, and Peter Pulver, "Hereford Park", Nyngan, who purchased three bulls for an average of $7166.
Benelkay stud principal Andrew Orman was pleased to see so much interest in the bulls.
"We've sold cattle this year to most of southern Queensland, most areas in NSW and we've had a couple of clients come up from Victoria," he said.
"It's good to see some of the commercial producers coming in from out west.
"They've done it hard out there in the last couple of seasons but as the seasons have been breaking, the buyers are interested, especially in heifer bulls, to try and rebuild their herds."
The sale was conducted by Elders stud stock with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, auctioneering.
