STRONG support from repeat clients pushed prices to a top of $13,500 at the 13th annual Minnie-Vale Charolais bull sale at”Bexley”, Narrabri, on Friday.
Forty four of 52 bulls offered sold for an average of $7100 and clearance of 85 per cent, with all bulls selling to repeat buyers.
Neighbours Rodney, Lorraine and Dylan McKinnon, “Pinecliff”, Narrabri, bought the top bull, Minnie-Vale Kojack.
The 23-month-old bull, by Winchester Peacemaker D6E from Minnie-Vale The Princess F57E, weighed 900 kilograms, had a scrotal circumference of 38 centimetres, rump and rib fat of nine millimetres and 7mm, an eye muscle area (EMA) of 137 square centimetres and intramuscular fat (IMF) of 5.2pc.
The McKinnons have been buying Minnie-Vale bulls for their 500-head crossbreeding operation for the past four years.
Mr McKinnon said he focused on bulls with good growth to produce early-maturing calves for the weaner market.
Minnie-Vale Kammanche, a 890kg red factor son of Moongool Gold Dust and Minnie-Vale Primrose C160E, sold for $13,000 to Peter and Glen Barkley, “Mentone”, Coonabarabran.
The 23-month-old bull measured 39cm in the scrotum, 10mm and 7mm on the rump and rib, had an EMA of 139cm2 and 5.1pc IMF.
Queensland stud producers Wayne and Lesley Davis, Barambah-Dale Charolais, Murgon, bought Minnie-Vale King Solomon for $12,000.
The 22-month old bull, by Winchester Peacemaker D63 from Minnie-Vale Festoon C22E, was the heaviest bull in the catalogue, weighing 902kg.
He had a scrotal circumference of 40cm, measured 9mm and 7mm for rump and rib fat, had a 142cm2 EMA and IMF of 5.1pc.
The Davis family also purchased Minnie-Vale Kappa, a 24-month-old son of Ayr Inca’s Natone and Minnie-Vale Tuppeny G126E, for $11,000.
Kappa weighed 850kg, measured 40cm in the scrotum and 13mm and 8mm on the rump and rib, had an EMA of 137cm2 and 5.6pc IMF.
Moree’s Brownlie family bought four bulls topping at was a volume buyer, purchasing four bulls for a top of $8500 and average of $7625.
The Davis family bought four bulls topping at $12,000 and averaging of $9000.
The McDonald family, “Woodlands”, Manilla, bought three bulls, topping at $7500 and averaging $5166 and Grey Eagle Partnership, “Melrose”, Coonabarabran, bought three bulls for $4000 each.
Another two bulls were sold immediately after the sale.
The sale was conducted by Davidson Cameron and Company, with Luke Scicluna the auctioneer.
