BIDDING reached a high of $16,000 and bulls averaged $9594 at the 45th annual Bald Blair bull sale at Guyra on Tuesday.
In a very successful day for the White family, all 69 bulls offered sold, with the two-year-olds topping at $16,000 and averaging $9845, and the 11 yearling bulls topping at $12,000 and averaging $8273.
Repeat client James Harris, “Abington”, Uralla, bought the top bull, paying $16,000 for Bald Blair General L94, a 24-month-old son of Ayrvale General G18 and Bald Blair F155.
The 810-kilogram bull had a scrotal circumference of 40cm and estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +0.1 for birthweight and +46, +86 and +113 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight.
The bull was one of three purchased by Mr Harris, who also took home 24-month-old Bald Blair General L67, another Ayrvale General G18 son with EBVs of +54, +92 and +130 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight, for $14,000, as well as Bald Blair Larry L214 for $12,000.
General L67 was one of five bulls to reach $14,000.
David Pearson, “Sugarloaf”, Armidale, bought 23-month-old Bald Blair Comrade L207, by Connealy Comrade 1385 from Bald Blair J12, and Janet and her son Peter Donnelly, “Oakville”, Glen Innes, purchased Bald Blair Black Pearl L281, a 23-month-old son of Sydgen Black Pearl 2006 and Bald Blair G125.
Longtime clients Andrew and Sarah Carruthers, “Te Dapa”, Guyra, took home three bulls, including two at $14,000.
Bald Blair Westwood L145 was a 23-month-old bull by Werner Westward 357 from Bald Blair Infinity, and 24-month-old Bald Blair Black Pearl L188 was a Sydden Black Pearl son from Bald Blair H195.
Mr Carruthers also bought one of the yearling bulls, paying $10,000 for Bald Blair Black Pearl M83, another Sydgen Black Pearl son, from Bald Blair Infinity G89.
The top yearling bull was Bald Blair Mario M177, an 11-month-old Ayrvale Bartel E7 son who weighed 518kg and had EBVs of +2.4 for birthweight and +51, +87 and +87 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight. He was purchased by Newstead Pastoral, “Newstead”, Mullaley.
The sale’s volume buyers were Wilmot Cattle Company, “Woodburn”, Walcha, and Warwick and Margaret Thompson, Bakers Swamp, who each purchased seven bulls, averaging $10,000 and $7857 respectively.
Butler Family Investments, “Camperdown”, Armidale, and Queensland producers Paul and Wendy Pownall, Pownall Grazing, “Wingfield”, Monto, each took home five bulls, averaging $8600 and $10,800.
The sale was settled by Elders, with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, taking the bids.