THE “flight” of the Swallows to Alpine commenced with the recent combined Alpine Angus/Welcome Swallow autumn sale held recently at Rosewhite selling complex,Victoria.
In the breakdown,102 of the 108 Angus bulls offered sold to a top of $8500 and $4279 average, while three of the five Charolias bulls sold for $3000 each.
Alpine Angus stud principal, Jim Delany, said stud manager, Chris Oswin, had “turned over” a few cows in a bid to improve performance.
“He was particularly looking at temperament and structure issues – I think his work is reflected in what we see in our cattle,” Mr Delaney said.
“They are sound, free moving cattle, long, clean fronted bulls, standing on strong pasterns that reflects the qualities of our female herd.”
Alpine joined with Welcome Swallow, which was clearing the first group of its bulls following their complete female dispersal sale of the Welcome Swallow herd in September.
Welcome Swallow co-principal Suzy Martin said they decided to market out their first draft of bulls for the autumn sale, anticipating it would be their final sale.
“Alpine then purchased the younger Welcome Swallow bulls we presented,” she said.
“They will sell these in the spring sale.”
Auctioneer/consultant Michael Glasser, GTSM, Patrice Vale said the idea for Alpine to buy the next younger drop of bulls came from wanting to present decent numbers in their upcoming inaugural spring sale.
“They have bolstered their numbers by buying the Welcome Swallow baby bulls,” Mr Glasser said.
“The blending of the bulls would also give the opportunity for the Alpine/Welcome Swallow clients to view the Alpine Angus bulls.”
Jeff Brindley, Lucybanks, Corryong, paid the top price of $8500 for a 24 month-old Alpine Full House KO52 (Alpine Angus).
A 870 kilogram bull, with a 42 centimetre scrotal measurement, is a Largo Full House son out of Alpine Bernice. He recorded estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +48kg 200-day weight, +86kg at 400 days and +117 at 600 days. He has an eye muscle area (EMA) EBV of +5.5sq cm, rib fat of -1.4mm and rump of -0.9mm.
“We want to put him over some our better cows to lift the herd,” Mr Brindley said.
“We are into the pure Alpine Angus now, there are only one or two that are not, we have had no trouble taking them up into that climate.”
Other Alpine Angus bulls were knocked down for between $6000 and $8000.
Top sellers included Alpine Earnen K024, sold to Tom Groin Station, Corryong and Alpine Apache K160, which both went for $8000.
Vienna Investment Holdings,Tatong, was the biggest volume buyer, successfully bidding on five bulls, to a top of $4500.
K.H. &W.R. Ingram, Boning, paid $7500 for the Welcome Swallow sale topper, Welcome Swallow Apache K113.
Mr Delany said the sale went well, given the number of animals on offer, with all Alpine bulls cleared.
“I think people were looking for good, sound structure, moderate birth weight and high growth spread,” Mr Delaney said.
The auction was conducted by Michael Glasser, GTSM, Patrice Vale in conjunction with Elders, Albury, Paul and Scollard, Albury and Rodwels, Euroa.
