Webb makes the most of Upgrade with $4448 avg

Quality bulls sold well, with 20 of 35 bulls offered clearing to average $4448.

Upgrade H617 was bought by Geoffrey Urquhart, Banana, central Queensland, who also bought Webb Dew It Right H622 at $3000.

He was attracted to the look and temperament of the bulls and will use them over his Red Brahman and Droughtmaster herd as an experimental cross.

"The market is going black so we are chasing that black premium," Mr Urquhart said.

"Upgrade H617 has a good top, hindquarter and weight for age so his calves will contribute to bullocks exported to Japan."

H617 is the full brother to Webb 7 Up H407, which topped Webb's Charleville sale last year and recorded estimated progeny differences (EPDs)for birthweight of +3.4, weaning weight +72.4, marbling 0.30 and rib eye area of 0.88.

The second highest price at $8500 was paid for Webb Captain H608, purchased by Boorook Morven Pastoral Company, Morven.

H608 recorded EPDs of birth weight +3.2kg, weaning weight +60.8kg, marbling 0.06 and rib eye area of 0.52.

Boorook also bought Webb Upgrade H0611 at $5000.

Both bulls will be used in their Red Angus herd, to produce black calves.

Three Creeks, Culcairn, purchased two well-muscled Upgrade sons, H637 and H630, for $4000 and $5000 respectively.

Despite the tough season impacting their clearance, Webb manager Lynton Harrison said buyers were still willing to pay good money for quality bulls.

"Considering the conditions throughout Australia, clearances have been down for all the sales, our average was quite good, but the volume was the problem," he said.

New genetics in the stud paid dividends with Mr Harrison reporting a firm premium for the US number one semen sire in 2012, Upgrade U8676 .

Stud principal Philip Webb said while the sale was impacted by the tougher selling conditions, its top bulls and sale average was consistent with previous years.

The stud sold a further eight bulls post auction at $3500.