COMMERCIAL buyers provided an example of current confidence in the beef industry at Monday's annual Dunoon Angus bull sale.
A total clearance of 135 Angus bulls, to a modest top of $14,000, averaged a more than impressive $6520 average.
All bulls sold to commercial breeders, with strong activity around the $6000 to $10,000 mark on a large percentage of the bulls.
It was not all one way traffic though, with 56 of the 135 bulls selling between $3000 and $5500 and offering good bulls at realistic prices for many buyers.
The sale was strong right through the sale with the first 20 bulls averaging $8425, first 50 averaging $7930, first 100 at $7135 and then buyers under $6000 mark got their opportunity to compete on a regular basis.
The top bull was bought by Ian Seidel, "Buckingbong", Narranmderra, with assistance from his agent Gerard Ryan, Brian Unthank, Albury, paying $14,000 for Dunoon Jumble J019, by TeMania Carringbah, along with a second sire for $6000.
The top bull was a heifers first calf with a good balance of figures at +104 for 600 day growth, low birth at +4.4, +22 for Milk, +7.9 eye muscle area, coupled with positive carcase data and a Angus Breeding $Index of +127.
Mr Seidel said his aim was to buy two bulls with the same genetics, to run with his 400 Angus cow herd that produces calves for the Wodonga weaner sales at 400 kilograms at 10 to 11 months of age.
Geoff and Allison Burston, Benambra, Victoria, paid $12,500 for the second top priced bull and were losing bidder on the top bull, before securing a second bull at $9000.
The Burstons run 400 Angus cows producing steers from 350 to 400kg at nine to 11 months for the weaner sales. They were looking for bulls with good growth and temperament, with a balance of good figures.
They bought Dunoon Jenner J111, a Tuwharetoa Regent D145 son for their top money, with a moderate birth weight at +4.5, solid growth to +112 and good carcase data.