Cattleman are the backbone of the Hicks Beef business, which was again proven last Wednesday at the annual Hicks Beef spring bull sale, with Composite bulls reaching highs of $17,000.
The Hicks family recorded a complete clearance of 60 bulls for a sound average of $6833.
As has become tradition, cattleman put together drafts of quality beef bulls with Garrison Cattle Feeders yet again leading the volume buyers putting together a draft of 17 bulls in all taking a selection from each the Black and Red Composites as well as the Red Angus.
But it was the Red Composite bull ABCK633 that demanded attention.
The 24-month-old son of GW Predestined 701T found his new home in sunny Queensland after seedstock producer David Greenup, “Rosevale”, Jandowae, won the bidding race.
“He is a bull with great balance, skin, performance and type,” Mr Greenup said
“He will go into our composite breeding program”.
The name buyers kept hearing was one that has become commonplace at Hicks Beef bull sales, operating from ringside this time as opposed to through AuctionsPlus was Swan Hill beef producer,s Garrison Cattle Feeders.
The final draft consisted of 17 in total, 10 Black Composites, six Red Composites, and a single Red Angus bull with a top price of $10,500 and average price of $6292.
Darren Jenke and Craig Hartshorn, representing Garrison Cattle Feeders, commended on the Hicks Beef bulls, saying they are quality bulls, and really work for them.
There was plenty of competition throughout WPL Inverlochie Pastoral Company, “Inverlochie”, Harden, who secured three black Composite bulls for an average of $7667.
They paid to a top of $11,500 for ABCK573 - another GW Predestined 701T, this time with a black hide.
King Hill Pastoral, Jugiong, also in the market for black Composites, secured two bulls paying to $10,500 twice for their selection
The Wires Pastoral Company, Braidwood, also added three to their sire battery topping at $8000 for the $6833 average.
AuctionsPlus was present as per usual at Hicks Beef purchasing eight bulls for four buyers including Hotchin Proprietors Pastoral Trust, Mt Sturt Station, Tibooburra, who averaged $6000 for their three paying to $8000.
Hicks Beef stud principal, Andrew HIcks, said it was a good, solid sale.
“It was above our expectations,” Mr Hicks said. “There was good support from repeat clients as well as strong support through all groups.”
It was above our expectatoins. There was goog support from repeat clients and strong support through all groups
- Andrew Hicks, Hicks Beef stud principal
The sale was conducted by Elders Rural Services of Holbrook with auctioneer Joe Wilks adjudicating the competition.
