Bidding reached $14,500 at the 15th annual Farrer Angus bull sale at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School last Wednesday.
All 43 lots offered sold to an average of $7125 with buyer numbers higher than last year.
There were 55 registered bidders present at the sale and 13 registered bidders online through AuctionsPlus. Both repeat and new buyers competed for the uniform draft of Farrer bulls.
The average price increased by over $1000 from the 2016 sale result and the top-price by over $2500.
Farrer Angus principal, Marty Peeters, said it was one of the highest averaging sales ever held at Farrer.
“We were unsure how the sale would perform this year with the cattle market being on a very welcome high,” Mr Peeters said.
“The weather was both positive in terms of the rainfall and negative in relation to the consistent high temperatures during mid summer.”
The top-priced bull, Farrer L71, was knocked down to return clients Greg and Kathie Tighe, “Kelso”, Guyra.
Farrer L71, sired by Ayrvale General G18 and out of Farrer Naomi E51, was in the top 15 per cent of the breed for 200, 400 and 600-day weight, and the top 20pc of the breed for intramuscular fat (IMF).
Mr Peeters said he was a low-birthweight bull, exactly what the Tighe’s were looking for.
“The Tighe’s were looking for a heifer bull so L71, being a low birthweight bull was ideal,” Mr Peeters said.
“He has a good spread of figures from his birth weight through to his mature weight.
“He’s progeny will calve out at a low weight, but will grow very quickly.”
The second highest priced bull, Farrer L109, was taken home by repeat buyers R.J and J.P Aitken of Bundarra for $12,500.
They purchased a second bull, Farrer L44, for $9000.
The third highest price bull, Farrer L88 (AI) was purchased by Baroona Investments, Walcha, for $12,000.
W and R Scheaffe, Kickerbell West, Quirindi, took home Farrer L63 for $11,500 as well as a second bull, Farrer L66 (AI) for $6250.
Buyers came from the New England, Central West and Upper Hunter.
The sale was conducted by Elders Tamworth with Farrer agricultural students taking the bids.