AUCTIONS Plus was put to good use with 28 per cent of the catalogue at last Thursday's Hicks Beef bull sale purchased on the platform.
The Hicks family’s Australian Beef Composite and Red Angus bulls were well received by commercial producers selling to three states.
Fourty five spring drop bulls sold to a top of $11,000 to average $5583.
Black composite bulls lead the way with 21 bulls averaging $5690 reaching a $10,000 top.
Red Angus followed closely with nine bulls selling to the top price of $11,000 and averaging $5583.
While red composites proved the best value reaching $7000 and averaging $4367.
The top price bull Hicks Ada K57 by the prominent herd sire Hicks Ada E565 was purchased by R. H. Woodward and Co Pty Ltd, Swan Hill Victoria a repeat Hicks Beef customer who operated via Auctions Plus.
R. H. Woodward and Co were also the leading volume buyers with a total of 11 bulls headed their way for an average of $5954.
The draft consisted of five back composites, four red composites, and two red Angus sires.
The top price black composite bull ABC K516 sired by Angus bull G A R Prophet out of a daughter of Simmental sire Dikemans Sure Bet was purchased by N.D. and K.P. Bird, “The Forest”, Bethungra.
Neil Bird who has been purchasing bulls from Hicks for four years was attracted to the young sire for his good growth with below average birth weight as well as having an All Purpose Index and Terminal Index in the top one percent.
Mr Bird has been drawn to the Hicks program in order capitalise on hybrid vigour and utilises Blue E genetics as well as the Australian Beef Composites.
“We turn off half our progeny at feedlot weights, growing the remainder out to 600 kilograms for Teys grassfed program” Mr Bird said, adding “we are PCAS and EU accredited”.
Other volume buyers were Burrandool Partnership, “Fernside”, Mendooran, who purchased four bulls to average $4875 and Hartvale Pty Ltd, “Hartvale”, Holbrook, who averaged $3583 for three.
Also contributing S.A. and B.A. Smith Land and Cattle Company, “Mt Panorama Station”, Rollestone, Queensland, purchased three bulls for a $4500 average, continuing a long term relationship with Hicks beef bulls.
Andrew Hicks commented following sale that it was a good solid sale “we increased number 20 percent and maintained clearance”
“Most importantly prices remained within commercial viability which is important for customers” Mr Hicks continued.
Mr Hicks said the heartwarming factor is strong support from repeat customers which means bulls are performing.
The sale was conducted by Elders Rural Services with Joe Wilks calling the bids.
