THERE was something for every buyer at the Karoo stud Angus bull sale near Bathurst last Friday.
From the commercial cattle producer looking for quality genetics at an affordable price through to highly regarded stud buyers filling the need for a new stud sire, the range of bulls offered by the Reen and Scott families catered for a variety of markets.
The quality of the bulls presented was evident right from the start of the sale with not one bull’s price dropping below $12,000 in the first 10 bulls offered. The final result was a total clearance of 71 bulls offered for an average of $9056 and top of $30,000.
Beef consultant Dick Whale won a heated bidding war to take home the top-priced bull, Karoo D62 Docklands K194 (AI), for clients the Gubbins family from Coolana Angus stud near Mortlake in Victoria.
Mr Whale said the bull was a standout in the line-up of QHED62 Carabar Docklands D62 (AI) sons offered at the sale.
“We have been looking for a Docklands bull for a while now and this sire was the best we had seen with the characteristics we were targeting,” Mr Whale said.
He was impressed with the bull’s mobility, structural correctness, softness and fine temperament.
The bull’s growth estimated breeding value (EBV) for 200-day was +43, while its 600-day figure was +120. The July 2014-drop bull was from Karoo Wilcoola F143 and weighed 870 kilograms with a scrotal circumference of 43 centimetres.
The second top-priced bull went for $22,000 and was Karoo D62 Docklands K309 (AI) (ET) bought by repeat buyers Mark, Sue and Sam Evans from Walgett.
This bull was highlighted for its spread of EBVs to add growth at +140 for 600-day weight. It was in the top one per cent for 400- (at +100) and 600-day weight. The September 2014-drop bull was from Karoo Jedda D60 (AI). It weighed in at 838kg and had a scrotal circumference of 44cm.
The Evans family have been buying bulls from Karoo for many years and this year they took home four bulls for an average of $12,000.
The first bull into the ring was Karoo D62 Docklands K153 (AI) and it attracted spirited bidding to finally be knocked down for the third top price of $15,000 to Trent Walker, Keringa Angus, South Australia. This bull weighed 882kg, had a scrotal circumference of 49cm and was from Karoo Montana C82 (AI) (ET) (TW).
Volume buyers included the Stonestreet family, Barry, who took home six bulls for an average of $8167 and top of $11,000.
Ray White Emms Mooney conducted the sale with Ben Emms as auctioneer.
Wish lists feature low birth weight bulls
THERE was a strong mix of both local and interstate buyers at the Karoo Angus bull sale near Bathurst last Friday.
Karoo Angus co-principal Annie Scott said the repeat buyers put a floor in the market, while there were also some new buyers from NSW SA and Qld.
Mrs Scott said there was high interest in the QHED62 Carabar Docklands D62 (AI) sons offered.
This bloodline is well regarded for its low birth weight progeny which also has high growth rates across the estimated breeding value (EBV) spectrum.
The other bloodlines to attract firm interest, according to Mrs Scott, were the sons of Matauri Reality 839 and TC Franklin 619 (USA).
“Franklin was used over heifers as he is a trait leader for calving ease and birth weight,” Mrs Scott said.
“The Reality progeny are always the first to arrive. Born light, but start to develop and quickly catch up to heavier born calves. They are very sound cattle and are very quiet and easy to handle.”