SPIRITED bidding from commercial and stud clients across all four eastern states pushed bulls to a high of $26,000 and record sale average of $11,038 at the Clunie Range Angus sale at “Springfield”, Wallangra, on Friday.
All 117 bulls offered by the Guest family sold, with bulls going to producers in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.
The 82 two-year-old bulls averaged $13,711 and yearling bulls topped at $25,000 and averaged $9970.
There was strong support from repeat buyers, but also many new clients, with 40 per cent of bulls going to new clients. There was plenty of local support, with 45pc of bulls staying in the region, and Queensland buyers were strong again, purchasing 40pc of the offering.
Homebred sires were the feature of the sale with 13 sons of Clunie Range Hank H358 averaging $15,192, six sons of Clunie Range Highlight H411 averaging $12,333 and three flush sons Braveheart of Stern averaging $16,333.
The top bull, Clunie Range Kookabooka K102, by Clunie Range Highlight from Clunie Range D3, sold to Queensland stud producers David and Prue Bondfield, Palgrove Ultrablacks, Dalveen.
The 22-month-old bull weighed 896 kilograms, had a scrotal circumference of 41 centimetres, and had estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +50, +88 and +117 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight.
Yearling bull Clunie Range Logan L1 was purchased in a syndicate of Quarterway Angus, Tasmania, and Banquet Angus, Victoria. The 19-month-old son of Clunie Range Gifted G97 and Clunie Range Naomi E139 weighed 856kg, measured 41cm in the scrotum, and had EBVs of +4.4 for birthweight, and +36, +69 and +95 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight.
Queensland producer Bill Tomlinson, “Yo Yo Park”, Augathella, bought 22-month-old Clunie Range Kangaroo K33 for $22,500. The 936kg bull, by Clunie Range Hank H358 from Cudgell Creek Lucy D37, had a scrotal circumference of 42cm, and EBVs of +51, +98 and +132 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight, and +75 for carcase weight.
Mondoro Pty Ltd, Casino, was the sale’s volume buyer, purchasing eight bulls for a top of $16,000 and average of $13,000.
Queensland producer Kevin Kenny, Tralee Station, Middlemount, bought five bulls, also topping at $16,000 and averaging $13,000.
Stud principal Brett Guest was “ecstatic”, saying buyers appreciated the even draft of bulls, with most clients after good thickness, length and fat cover.
The sale was conducted by Elders Goondiwindi and JA McGregors Livestock and Property, with Michael Smith, Elders at the rostrum.
