BUYERS from three states pushed prices to a high of $11,000 twice at the 20th annual Dunbeacon Shorthorns on-property sale at Upper Horton on Monday.
Thirty of the 37 bulls offered by the McDouall family sold in the auction for a clearance of 81 per cent and average of $7333, with bulls going to NSW, Queensland and South Australia.
The first bull to reach $11,000 was Dunbeacon Kookaburra K016, a 28-month-old son of Dunbeacon Newman G083 and Dunbeacon Bee Bee F080, who sold to repeat clients Jon Warby and Dan Cameron, Doce Pty Ltd, Roma.
Weighing 975 kilograms, he was the heaviest bull in the sale, and had a scrotal circumference of 37 centimetres and measured 21 millimetres and 12mm on the rump and rib.
He had an eye muscle area (EMA) of 127 square centimetres, intramuscular fat (IMF) of 6.3 per cent, and estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +27, +47 and +57 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight.
Dunbeacon Kingston K048 sold to stud producer and repeat client Stephen Thomas, Eungella Shorthorns, “Eungella”, Deer Vale via Dorrigo.
The 26-month-old bull by Dunbeacon Flagstaff G225 from Dunbeacon Bee Bee H007, weighed 853kg, measured 39cm in the scrotum, had rump and rib fat of 10mm and 9mm, had an EMA of 125cm2 and 6.4pc IMF.
He had EBVs of +2.4 for birthweight and +28, +41 and +51 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight.
Three bulls – Dunbeacon Kent K020, Dunbeacon Kenworth K041 and Dunbeacon K217 – reached $10,000.
Twenty eight-month-old Kent, by Dunbeacon Newman G083 from Dunbeacon Fancy E031, sold to Steve Thomas, “Belmore”, Thallon, while Mr Warby and Mr Cameron bought Kenworth, a 26-month-old son of Dunbeacon Zeus G017 and Dunbeacon Clara G019.
Dunbeacon K217, a 27-month-old bull by Eungella Theodore’s Astor D05 from Dunbeacon C7339, sold to Tim Nivison, “Marmindi”, Walcha.
Seven bulls – Dunbeacon Kingsgrove K097, Dunbeacon Killarney K077, Dunbeacon Kane K029, Dunbeacon Kernell K036, Dunbeacon Kapunda K062, Dunbeacon Kingscote K087, Dunbeacon K212 – sold for $9000.
Mr Warby and Mr Cameron were the volume buyers, taking home seven bulls for an average of $7714.
Steve Thomas, Thallon, bought three bulls averaging $9333 and Alan McRae, “Fairburn“, Woolomombi, purchased three bulls for a top of $6000 and average of $5333.
The sale was conducted by Landmark Gunnedah and Hart Rural Agencies, Barraba, with Joel Fleming, Landmark stud stock, taking bids.
