Thirty-two Charolais bulls went under the hammer to sell to a top of $13,000 at the seventh annual Violet Hills bull sale at Rydal this month.
Conducted by Elders Bathurst for vendors Daryl, Kaye and Sean Jenkins, the draft of bulls averaged $5906, nearly $600 above last year’s figure. The top price also increased from $9000 in 2016 to the double figure of $13,000 in 2017.
Violet Hills Louden ( P ), the 21-month-old son of Ashwood Park Eldorado F58 (P) and out of Violet Hills Eveline (by Violet Hills Alexander), sold to return client, Darren Mackaway of Mackaway Pastoral Co., Walcha.
Louden, who weighed 820 kilograms, had estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +0.3 for birth weight, +14 for 200-day weight, +33 for 400-day weight and +37 for 600-day weight. he also measured +1.3 for rib fat , +1.9 for rump fat and +1.5 for eye muscle area (EMA) with a Domestic Index of +34.
Mr Jenkins described Louden as a long, well-muscled bull who is homozygous for the poll gene.
“He is the ideal bull for the grass fed market with low birth weight, a very good 400-day weight, excellent muscling and an ability to lay down an even covering of fat,” Mr Jenkins said.
“The small difference between the 400-day weight and the 600-day weight indicates an early maturity pattern that is needed for the grass fed market.”
Mackaway Pastoral Co. were also the volume buyers purchasing seven bulls to average $5429.
The second highest priced bull, Violet Hills Langston, was purchased by Sylvan Farm Trust, Cumnock for $12,500. He was sired by Violet Hills Dane and out of Violet Hills H10E who was sired by Violet Hills Barclay. Langston, a 20-month-old bull, weighed 704kg with a scan of eight millimetres rump fat, 4mm rib fat, 129 square centimetre EMA and 2.8 per cent intramuscular fat (IMF). His EBV’s were 0 for birth weight, +18 for 200-weight, +20 for 400-day weight and +30 for 600-day weight a Domestic Index of +37.
“He is a very well-balanced bull with good growth and above average carcase characteristics and Domestic Index,” Mr Jenkins said.
W.J Parkins, “Rossmore”, Murrundi, purchased a sire for $11,500 as well as another for $5000 while AuctionsPlus, who were interfaced during the sale, successfully bided on two bulls, securing one at $10,000 and another at $6000.
Mr Jenkins said overall they were pleased with the support of regular buyers who have been happy with their previous purchases. “It was also pleasing to welcome new purchasers who have had recommendations from our clients,” he said.
Andrew Bickford, Elders Bathurst, said it was a good draft of bulls with strong demand on the day with purchasers getting good value for money.
Bulls went interstate to Queensland and Victoria as well as NSW.
The sale was conducted by Elders Bathurst with Brian Kennedy, Armidale, controlling the bids.